Education
Colorado State University · Fort Collins, CO
Major: Master’s of Agriculture in Integrated Resource Management
Graduation: May 2011, GPA: 3.848
Major: Dual Bachelor of Science Animal Science and Agricultural Business
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Technical Communication
Graduated: May 2010, GPA: 3.487
Work Experience – Journalism
President and CEO · Cowgirl Publications LLC · Kiowa, CO
February 2015-Present
- Provide writing, photography, consulting, web and print design, as well as publication management, for the agricultural industry.
- Publish The Show Wether, a magazine for club sheep and goat producers.
Freelance Journalist · Kiowa, CO
Jan. 2009-Present
- I work as a freelance journalist and photographer and have had articles published in the Fence Post, Progressive Cattleman, The Boer Goat Magazine, DRIVE, Backyard Poultry, Countryside and Smallstock Journal, Sheep!, the NRHA Reiner, the Record Stockman and Nebraska Cattlemen’s.
Director of Marketing and Communication · American Boer Goat Association · San Angelo, TX
May. 2014-Present
- I was responsible for administering information and media relations to inform ABGA members and the general public about Boer goats and ABGA programs. I also served as the Editor of The Boer Goat, the official publication of the ABGA.
Director of Communication · Colorado Farm Bureau · Centennial, CO
Nov. 2012-May 2014
- I was responsible for administering information and media relations to inform Farm Bureau members and the general public about Farm Bureau policies, programs and agricultural issues. I also served as Editor of Colorado Way of Life, the official publication of CFB.
Staff Reporter · The Fence Post · Greeley, CO
Oct. 2011- Oct. 2012
- I covered Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. I covered all aspects of the agricultural industry including livestock, equine, crops, equipment, events, features and profiles. I was also responsible for all photography that accompanied the stories
Photographer’s Assistant · ShowChampions Inc. · Denver, CO
Jan. 2011
- Assisted with livestock photography including cattle, sheep and goats.
Opinion Columnist · Rocky Mountain Collegian · Fort Collins, CO
Fall 07 – May 2011
- Write editorials on agricultural issues, sports, pop culture and local events
Reporter/Photographer · Mountain Valley News · Cedaredge, CO
2004 – 2011
- Write news articles and take photographs – freelance
Editor-in-Chief · f.s. life · Fort Collins, CO
May 2010 – Dec. 2010
- Planned and edited monthly issues of f.s. life, the faculty and staff newspaper
Public Relations Intern · Colorado High School Press Association · Fort Collins, CO
Summer 2009
- Helped organize and run a 20 person 3-day workshop
- Prepared entries and performed basic office work
Work Experience – Agriculture
Owner/Manager · Champion Livestock · Kiowa, CO
2006 – Present
- Started a profitable agriculture business
- Operate a multispecies program
- Practice good animal husbandry
- Market show animals
- Conduct record keeping and animal tracking
Assistant Breeding Manager · Schmersal Reining Horses · Overbrook, OK
March 2008
- Educated on how to breed mares and process semen
- Worked with newborn foals and expectant mares
Ranch Hand · NV Equine/Hamslamb Ranch · Cedaredge, CO
2000 – Fall 2007
- Rode and groomed horses
- Vaccinated horses, wormed them, cleaned wounds, and applied bandages
- Operated a tractor, a baler, a stack wagon, a plow and a drag
- Provided care for sheep and aided in the delivery of lambs
Work Experience – Education
Adjunct Professor· Colorado State University, OnlinePlus · Fort Collins, CO
Sept. 2014 – Present
- Created and graded quizzes, tests and other supplemental materials
Teaching Assistant · Colorado State University, Swine Systems · Fort Collins, CO
Jan. 2009 – May 2011
- Created and graded quizzes, tests and other supplemental materials
- Taught students about all aspects of the swine industry
- Planned and took students on field trips and facilitated hands-on experiences
Organizations
- American Boer Goat Association : 2011-Present
- American Dairy Goat Association : 2011-Present
- Agriculture Future of America (AFA) : 2007-2010
- Block and Bridle Club (CSU) : 2007-2010
- Collegiate Cattlewomen’s Association : 2008-2010
- Collegiate Horseman’s Association : 2007-2010
- Colorado Agricultural Ambassadors : 2008-2010
- Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program – Participant : 2012-2014
- Colorado Dairy Goat Association : 2011-Present
- Colorado Farm Bureau : 2012-Present
- Colorado Junior Swine Association : 2008-2011
- Colorado State University Agricultural Ambassadors : 2007-2010
- Colorado State University Ram Handler : 2010-2011
- Colorado State University Track and Field team: Fall 2006-Fall 2007
- FFA – Cedaredge, CO chapter : 2002-2009
- National Reining Horse Association : 2010-Present
- Order of Omega, Greek Honor Society : Spring 2009-2010
- Sigma Alpha Sorority : 2007-Present
- National Swine Registry : 2014
Leadership Experience
- Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP) class 11 participant
- Selected to attend Ag Day in Washington, D.C. in March 2011 through AFA
- Attended AFA leader’s conference in Kansas City, MO (fall 07, fall 08, fall 09)
- Swine Chair for the Little National Western 2008 in Fort Collins, CO (Block and Bridle)
- Collegiate Horseman’s Association – Treasurer (09-10), Vice President (08-09)
- Colorado Junior Swine Association Junior Board – Adviser (09-10), President (08-09)
- CSU Agricultural Ambassadors – Co-Host for RamTV during RamCamp (2008)
- Sigma Alpha Sorority (Collegiate) – 1st Vice President (09-10), Historian (09), Public Relations Director (08)
- Sigma Alpha Sorority (National Board) – Outreach Director (2011-2014)
- Sigma Alpha Sorority Educational Foundation – Secretary/Treasurer (2015-)
Awards
- American FFA Degree recipient, Fall 2009
- Outstanding Leader – Sigma Alpha (Nu chapter and National Sigma Alpha) 2009, 2010
- Community Service Award – Sigma Alpha, 2008
- Dean’s List – Fall 2009 (for spring 2009 semester), Fall 2008 (for spring 2008 semester)