Name:
Jane Halterman
Workforce training program(s) completed at Eastern:
- Spring 2022 – Farm Fellowship Program
- Fall 2022 – Poultry Litter Management
Are you still taking training programs? If so, where and what training are you working toward?
I attended the Agritourism Summit and attended sessions there that helped me think of product distribution more concretely.
I plan to participate in upcoming classes if time allows. The training I would most like to complete at this time is the irrigation training.
Current Employer/Job (if applicable):
Buena Vista Farm
Did trainers/instructors/staff at Eastern contribute to your career success? How did they help you?
All the above (administrators included) have contributed to the success I am currently experiencing at my job. I was paired up with Miriam Leatherman to complete my Farm Fellowship hours. This led to permanent employment at Buena Vista Farm.
The agribusiness trainings I participated in forced me to see farming not as a birthright or hobby but as what it is, a business. The risk management training made me more aware of the physical, emotional, and financial risks that farming innately possesses. It provided me with concrete tools to manage those risks simply.
The grants and additional programming being pursued by Eastern’s administration are needed for this area. The agriculture team is dynamic, very helpful, and is providing the community with opportunities to have easier access to locally grown food. That’s a win-win for producers and consumers.
What advice would you give to current Workforce students at Eastern who are looking to follow a similar path to a job?
Take responsibility for your learning. All of these trainings are offered at low to no cost. Be present during the trainings and ask questions. Utilize the agriculture team because they want to help and there is no better support anywhere.
Please feel free to share recent accomplishments and achievements in the workforce (within the last year): including projects, awards, and any relevant information.
I haven’t won anything, but without the Farm Fellowship, I’m not sure what I’d be doing now. I was in need of a change when I was paired with Buena Vista and it has been a great partnership for both of us.
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!
Categories: