Name:
Sarah Beard
Workforce training program(s) completed at Eastern:
- Farm Fellowship Program – 2024
- Livestock Management Systems Certification – 2024
- Farm Business Management Certification – 2023
Are you still taking training programs? If so, where and what training are you working toward?
I’m hoping to complete the Horticulture Management Systems Certification through Eastern in 2025. There is also a Pasture Management class that is part of the Livestock Management Systems Certification that I would like to take in 2025, as I was not able to attend in 2024 as a farm fellow.
Current Employer/Job (if applicable):
I am currently employed at Blue Ridge Community & Technical College in Martinsburg, WV, working in the Finance Department, which is completely unrelated to agriculture! My goal is to eventually work our farm business full-time.
What is something you learned (knowledge, training, skills) during Eastern’s Workforce training program that you utilize in your workplace and/or current training?
Having a background in business, I really enjoyed the Farm Business Management classes offered by Eastern. Learning the importance of having diversified income streams and keeping records of expenses and income for each farm enterprise are a few items I have implemented for our farm business. I also enjoyed the artificial insemination classes offered as part of the Livestock Management Systems Certification and is something that I plan to implement on our farm. The experience that I gained from my farm mentors (Lisa Jenkins & Glenn Delaplain) through the Farm Fellowship program will prove to be invaluable as I start to implement some of those skills on our farm, such as ear tagging, giving vaccinations, and banding bull calves.
Did trainers/instructors/staff at Eastern contribute to your career success? How did they help you?
I can’t say enough good things about all the staff that I have worked with at Eastern over the past two years. Trish Halterman is amazing as the Ag Workforce Fellowship & Student Training Coordinator. The support, communication, and organization that she provides make everything so much easier. I also appreciate the knowledge and information shared by Dave Workman, the Ag Business Coach, and Dave Miller, the Ag Innovation Program Coordinator.
What advice would you give to current Workforce students at Eastern who are looking to follow a similar path to a job?
I always recommend the Agriculture Innovation Program through Eastern for anyone who is just getting into agriculture. Take as many of the classes as possible, as they are reasonably priced, and the knowledge gained is invaluable! I also highly recommend applying for the farm fellowship for anyone pursuing agriculture. The hands-on experience and skills that are taught by the mentors are things that just can’t be taught in a classroom setting. I also recommend attending the many different networking events that are organized (or co-organized) by Eastern, such as the Foundation’s Farm to Table Dinner and WVU Extension Ag Field Day. The professional relationships that are created through these networking events are just as important as the knowledge and skills obtained in the trainings.
Please feel free to share recent accomplishments and achievements in the workforce (within last year): include projects, awards, and any relevant information.
Our farm, Heritage View Acres, processed our first 100% grass-fed Dexter steer this year. We are also preparing for a calf to be born on our farm on October 31. This will be our first calf that will be registered under our farm name, so we are excited! We will also be finishing out two more Dexter steers over the next year so that we can start offering 100% grass-fed Dexter beef to our local community.
We also saw improvements in our hay production this year since we began fertilizing it with chicken manure. Also, thanks to our partnership with NRCS, we have installed a livestock well and automatic waterer for our cattle, along with temporary electric fencing that will be used for rotational grazing.
Are you an Eastern graduate? Have you completed an Ag workforce training program at Eastern? Are you a former Early Entrance student who transferred credits to another college or university? If you are, and you want to share your success story, we would love to hear from you! Email marketing@easternwv.edu today!
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