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 Jen Petzko, a senior academic specialist with the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Michigan State University. I serve as AFRE’s undergraduate academic advisor supporting students majoring in agribusiness management, food industry management, and environmental economics and management.
What was the path you took to get the position you’re in now?
I started working in higher education as soon as I finished my bachelor's degree in political science from MSU. I started at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, then Kennesaw State University in Georgia (where I earned my master’s in public administration), and finally Bowling Green State University in Ohio before I chose to return to the place I love most: MSU! I have now been advising in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU for nine years. This place is incredibly special, and I’m grateful to call it home.
What programs either related to collegiate Farm Bureau or your courses are you most proud of?
I’m proud to be the faculty advisor to MSU’s chapter of Collegiate Farm Bureau. We have an active chapter and a lot of support from Michigan Farm Bureau. Campaigns like Harvest for All and #SpeakAg are incredibly important for empowering Collegiate members to engage with consumers, develop skills and promote agricultural advocacy. I am most proud of our chapter’s Harvest for All food drive. Our students really come together for this event to volunteer and help support our community.
What is the most exciting part of working with your students?
I love that my role as an advisor is full-circle, encompassing a student’s academic journey from orientation all the way through to commencement. It is such a privilege to watch students grow, gain new skills, explore and experience new opportunities — and achieve success, big and small, along the way. The icing on the cake is watching them walk across the stage at graduation.
What are ways your county Farm Bureau has helped encourage membership involvement in your Collegiate chapter and how has Michigan Farm Bureau influenced the chapter involvement?
One of the most underrated, yet extremely valuable ways that MFB supports us is by simply being available. We are lucky to have the guidance and support of Katie Eisenberger, MFB’s Young Farmer Manager. She regularly connects with us, has attended our meetings (with pizza!), helped coordinate guest speakers, and is attentive to our chapter’s needs and goals.
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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