[From the ACE 199 "Farm, Food & Environmental Policy" experiential learning study tour, spring break 2015]

[ACE 199 Experiential Study Tour to Washington, DC | Spring Break 2014]

[ACE 199 Experiential Study Tour to Washington, DC | Spring Break 2014]

Two current ACE Students, Michael Gill and Doug Yunker, connect with alumnus Michael Dykes, the VP of Government Affairs with Monsanto while in Washington DC this week for ACE 199:  Policy in Washington class.  All three are members of Farmhouse Fraternity.

[ACE 199 Experiential Study Tour to Washington, DC | Spring Break 2014]

[ACE 199 Experiential Study Tour to Washington, DC | Spring Break 2014]

Today was action-packed day #2 in Washington DC! We started off the morning bright and early with an excellent breakfast and presentation provided by CropLife America. It was great to hear from an Illinois alumnus, Jay Vroom, the current President and CEO and his staff. Their communications director spoke to us about their growing social media presence, which our generation can relate to.

[ACE 199 Experiential Study Tour to Washington, DC | Spring Break 2014]

With chattering teeth and white breath, we stepped on the endless Dupont Circle escalator to the bowels of the DC Metro. The Metro scanners seemed foreign to our virgin eyes, but, with help, we prevailed with minor setbacks. The red-line screeched to halt near us--the wind messing our perfectly parted hair.  The angst set deep when confronted with the notion that the people we would be meeting with this week, the leaders in DC, could have the potential to shape our careers in agricultural leadership.

In my experience, it is sometimes not what you know, but who you know which gets you to interviews and jobs offers. Not to say that your degree or experiences are not important, but so often, it is your network of contacts that open the door for you at all. Networking is an essential business skill which professionals, especially those fresh out of college, should utilize and take advantage of.

We are excited to premier our final video projects from the March 16th – 22nd spring break study tour to northern California. This experience proved to be an excellent opportunity for the students, and we are grateful for our hosts in California who opened up their offices, homes, and fields to University of Illinois College of ACES students and their research.

https://vimeo.com/65234594

Organic Foods
By Blake Croegaert, Jahna Goldman, Amelia Martens, & Amy Yanow
April 30, 2013