The Classroom is not Everyone's Learning Environment

I understand that every major is different, but through my own experiences, I've learned more about agricultural communications outside the classroom than I ever could sitting behind a desk.

Don't get me wrong, my professors have done an incredible job teaching the fundamentals of agricultural communications. I'm grateful for the time, effort and passion they pour into their courses. More importantly, they've encouraged me to step outside the classroom and take advantage of real-world opportunities. Without their support, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish half of what I have during college.

One example is the Georgia Farm Bureau Advocacy in Action Competition. Over the past two years, my professors have allowed me to miss class to compete because they recognized the value of the experience. They served as mentors for my team, but the preparation extended far beyond scheduled meetings. We spent countless hours practicing our responses, refining our messaging and building confidence. That hard work paid off with a first-place plaque.

My team and I holding our first-place plaque at the 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo

That competition taught me skills that simply cannot be fully developed in a classroom. Teamwork, public speaking, confidence and advocacy all require real-world practice. You can study communication theories and strategies, but nothing compares to standing before a panel and putting those skills into action.

Another experience that shaped me was serving as the 2025–2026 National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Member Relations Coordinator. Working with officers from across the country taught me how to collaborate effectively in a remote environment while balancing different schedules and responsibilities. I also had the creative freedom to launch the National ACT podcast, The ACTual Story, which challenged me to think strategically about content, outreach and storytelling. One of my biggest takeaways from this role was learning how to plan and lead professional business meetings during both the Professional Development Conference and the Ag Media Summit. I enjoyed the position and the organization so much that I hope to run for another national officer role this year.

Katrina, 25-26 National ACT Communications Coordinator, and I at the 2026 Professional Development Conference

Beyond these experiences, I've had the opportunity to work at the Georgia National Fair, assist with Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) trainings, attend conferences, complete short internships and volunteer at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Each opportunity has taught me something different, whether it was networking, event planning, agricultural advocacy or simply learning how to adapt in a professional setting.

While the classroom provides the foundation, experience is where the lessons truly come to life. Every competition, conference, internship and leadership role has helped shape the communicator I am becoming. Looking back, I'm grateful that my education has extended far beyond the four walls of a classroom, because some of the most valuable lessons I've learned could not have been taught from a PowerPoint.