2025 Travel Recap

2025 was defined by movement, whether that is physical miles, into new professional environmments or toward a clear uderstanding of where I want to be in my career. From early morning flights, to unfamilar cities, to meaningful conversations, this year challenged me to grow personally and professionally.

January

Stillwater, Oklahoma - National ACT Professional Development Conference

• Interacted with National ACT members from across the nation

• Gained deeper insight into what a communications career could look like

February

Raleigh, North Carolina - Southern Farm Show

• Worked the North Carolina Cattlemens Association Booth

• Recruited and Renewed members

March

Atlanta, Georgia - Steak Biscuit Breakfast

• Connected with lawmakers and politicians

• Interacted with other cattlemen

• Advocated for the cattle industry

Macon, Georgia - Georgia Cattlemen's Convention

• Learned about the state of the nation's beef industry

• Interacted with vendors

• Elected into a Junior Board position

• Earned a scholarship

Georgia Cattlemen's Association Steak Biscuit Breakfast

April

No travels this month. I decided it was time to focus on wrapping up the school semester.

May

Cedartown, Georgia - GJCA Board Retreat

• Created a membership incentive program called "stockmans sweepstakes"

• Created a new producer calendar fundraiser

• Established goals for the year

• Toured Barnes Herefords facility

June

Casper, Wyoming - College National Finals Rodeo

• Created social media content for the NIRA Facebook page

• Wrote a feature article for scholarship winner

• Logged times and scores for each performance

• Coordinated interviews between media and contestants

July

Athens, Georgia - Elite Stockman Program

• Toured UGA's meat processing facility

• Dissected a cow reproductive system with fetus

• Attended artifical insemination classe

• Met with Georgia Farm Bureau to learn about bill passing and lobbying

Rogers, Arkansas - Ag Media Summit

• Networked with professional communicators

• Attended breakout sessions of interest

• Elected into National ACT officer position

National ACT Officer campaign speech, Ag Media Summit 2025

August

No travels this month due to the start of the fall semester.

September

Stillwater, Oklahoma - National ACT Officer Retreat

• Established goals for our term individually and as a team

• Team bonding activites

• Attended a parlimentary procedure training

• Brainstormed potential sponsors

October

Perry, Georgia - Georgia National Fair

• Worked the Georgia Beef Board booth

• Captured candid images of staff and booth content

• Educated consumers about choosing beef

Moultrie, Georgia - Sunbelt Ag Expo

• Collected and posted content throughout the event

• Networked with vendors

• Wrote blog posts at the end of each day

• Competed in Advocacy in Action

November

Indianpolis, Indiana - National FFA Convention

• Received American Degree award

Jefferson, Georgia - The Southern Invitational Steer + Heifer Show

• Ran all social media platforms

• Operated the registration table

• Captured candid ring and backdrop photos

December

In December, I traveled back home to North Carolina for the holidays.

Conclusion

As I transition into 2026, I hope to carry all that I have learned in 2025 along with me. I'm incredibly grateful for the places I've been and the people I've met.

Here's to continuing the journey.