It’s back: “Take 5” with the 13 enthusiastic faces partnering with Michigan Farm Bureau to host a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter at their institution. Our Collegiate Farm Bureau advisors offer students a variety of opportunities, preparing them for Discussion Meets, connecting them with their county Farm Bureau and introducing them to the organization.
Who are you and what is your official title?
I’m Christy Mecey, Collegiate Farm Bureau advisor and ag program director at Jackson College.
What was the path you took to get the position you’re in now?
I was a lifetime 4-H member growing up. I went to the University of Arizona and graduated with an undergraduate degree in agriculture education and another in plant science. After that I went to teach high school for 10 years. Following that I went to Michigan State University to get my PhD in genetics. With that I taught at MSU for six years then came to Jackson and have been here eight years as an agriculture professor.
What programs either related to collegiate Farm Bureau or your courses are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of the one-year certificate we have for ag business. We have a full cohort for this one-year program. It can be online, we offer it to any student, and it gives an extra level of certification for those who want to start their own business. We also started a second one-year program in ag industrial systems. In addition to the OSHA certification, you can get your MDART license. We also offer CDL drivers training at Jackson college which is a part of that.
What is the most exciting part of working with your students?
Seeing them bring a goal to life. I see students who want to start a small business and act on it! Seeing them reach those goals and being able to help them is amazing. It also creates a network, which is a great thing in the community.
How has your county Farm Bureau encouraged member involvement in your Collegiate chapter?
They are great help when we need them — a tremendous resource for tours or guest speakers. Especially when we are trying to navigate internship opportunities, they’re able to connect us to the community and it is incredibly helpful.
How has being an advisor influenced you?
It made me engage even more in agriculture in my local community, and made me aware of independent agriculture enterprises in the area. I try to buy locally and support businesses because they support us and the students. It created a grassroots effort of trying to build businesses and local connections for me.
If you’re a college student interested in where our food comes from, or have a background in agriculture, or just want to help Michigan grow (literally), you should check out Michigan Collegiate Farm Bureau. It helps students like yourself network with peers and ag professionals, build career and leadership skills, and develop their voices as agricultural advocates.
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