Page 8 - The Enthusiast Winter 24

Freshman: ELLA Defrang
Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing Double Major
Ella’s agricultural roots were formed at her grandparent’s farm, where she raised her own show cattle. Her passion for showing cattle is what led her to the University of Minnesota and ultimately
to pursue majors in Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing.
She has absolutely loved her first couple of months at the U of M, and has found that the St. Paul campus is very close knit, and the professors
are so helpful and attentive to her questions and concerns.
Her favorite course so far has been Intro to Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing taught by Dr. Rice. Through that class she has learned many professional skills and
was able to grow her network with alumni and upperclassmen. Her professor has been so helpful and seemed like she really cared to get to know Ella. “If you’re currently a high school senior, I would absolutely recommend UMN over any other university in our area, especially if you’re from a small town like me,” expresses Ella.
SOPHOMORE: MORGAN pickett
Agricultural Education Major
Morgan grew up on a hobby farm in rural Minnesota. 4-H and FFA were significant parts of her upbringing and had a huge influence on her decision to major in agricultural education. Her high school agricultural teacher was amazing and also influenced her to pursue a major in agricultural education. She wants to give back, by providing opportunities to students that her ag. teacher and FFA were able to give her.
Morgan’s family have always been huge Gopher fans and alumni. Luckily, the University of Minnesota has one of the best ag education programs in the state.
A professor that has really stands out to Morgan
is Mr. Lee Thompson, her woods and welding instructor. He has taught her the technical side
of teaching agriculture and gives students recommendations on how to implement those practices into the classroom. Morgan always looks forward to his class as she learns something new from him every day. Morgan’s advice to students is to remember that there is no growth in the comfort zone, no comfort in the growth zone.
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