Planting SeedsThere's a Place for Everyone in Agriculture
In August and September, AITC Summer Intern Elizabeth “Libby” Heenan will be taking over my Planting Seeds column to tell you a little more about herself and all of her activities this summer with the Cook County Farm Bureau. I hope you learn a little more about Libby and enjoy getting to know our summer intern!
Katrina Milton, Director of Ag Literacy
There’s a Place for Everyone in Agriculture
Growing up on the southwest side of Chicago, my understanding of agriculture was limited to my family’s weekly trips to the grocery store. Little did I know that just a few years later, I would find myself fully immersed in the world of farming and education as an intern with Cook County Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Program!
Having lived in the city my entire life, I had no background in agriculture whatsoever. My first experience on a farm came on my very first day of high school when I started at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. As a city girl, I was at first hesitant about attending the “farm school,” but over time, I grew to love both the school and the agriculture industry. I became heavily involved in their FFA and animal science programs, even welcoming my own dairy cow, Biscuit, who still stays at the school. Now, as I prepare to enter my senior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I’m studying agricultural education, I aspire to become a middle school agriculture teacher back home in Chicago.
This summer, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel around my hometown and the rest of Cook County, educating people of all ages about the importance of agriculture, as well as who the farm bureau is and what we do! I’ve been busy participating in various events, including running cow crafts at Wagner Farms, creating games and activities for this year's Summer Ag Institute, and presenting at the Evergreen Park Public Library on how tacos are made! When I'm back in the office, I focus on updating old flyers, brochures, and other materials, ensuring they are current and ready for the upcoming school year.
Looking back on my journey from the start of high school to becoming an AITC Intern, I can’t help but feel grateful for all the growth and skills I’ve gained. Every day I spend at the farm bureau fuels my passion for agricultural education. I’m really excited to inspire others, especially those in urban areas, to see just how important agriculture is in our lives and to show them that there’s a place for everyone in this industry.
Libby Heenan, AITC Summer Intern