Monday, January 23, 2012

The Girl from Washington

A hop, skip and a jump away is where I am from home. I was born and raised in Pullman, WA and now I am a freshman at Kansas State University. I grew up in the heart of the Palouse, home of the Cougs, alongside the rolling fields of wheat on my family’s farm. A few quick facts about me:    
  •  I have lived with my parents and brothers (Rob and Jeremy), in the same house since I was born. (It is over 100 years old!)

  • I have 15 first cousins on my dad’s side of the family and 13 on my mom’s.
  • My family raises wheat, dry peas and garbanzo beans. We also have a small herd of cattle.

  • I am duel majoring Agricultural Communications & Journalism and Marketing.
  • As of now after college I want to work in public relations or marketing for an agriculturally based company.
  • I am allergic to cow’s milk, so that means I can’t eat anything with dairy in it.
  •  FFA, enough said.
  •  I am Wildcat and a Cougar, meaning I bleed purple and crimson (where I am from that isn't allowed).
  • Member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority!
  • I make and sell necklaces
  • I love Crayola Color Crayons and coloring books :)
  • The things I love most are God, my family, my friends, and agriculture.

You’re probably wondering the most asked question of me in the past six months, why K-State? That answer is simple and complex. For the complex version, I grew up in a college town, where Washington State University (the land-grant university in Washington) is located. I always knew that I needed to go out and experience some place new, but it wasn’t until I took a year off before college, and traveled around Washington and the country serving as an FFA state officer, that I realized I was ready to take that step for college. I had previously visited KSU as a senior in high school and after my visit it continued to come up in research and conversation. I realized I wanted and needed to be a part of the College of Agriculture at K-State so I applied, got accepted, paid a down payment, and the rest is history! The short answer is who wouldn’t want to be a Wildcat?


Being a part of production agriculture since the day I was born, has taught me a lot about where my food comes from. My background on the farm has made me want to continue to be involved and work in the industry. Although I don’t plan on returning to my family’s farm full time, I would like to return home during our yearly harvest to continue to contribute to both my family’s farm and production agriculture. 

Through this blog I hope to share my experiences as a college student in agriculture!

-Paige

Kansas Girl

Hey guys, I'm Kassie...I'm a small town Kansas girl who loves family, country music, cooking, K-State, God, and especially agriculture! With a big family it seems that there is always something going on at the Curran household. Although hectic at times (almost all the time) I love our crazy, busy, hard-working, lifestyle at home in southeast Kansas. I have 2 younger sisters, 2 younger brothers, and 2 very amazing parents :)We also have 3 horses, 4 cows (1 fall calf), a bucket calf, a goat, about 20 chickens, a dog, 6 cats, and an occasional beaver or raccoon that my brothers catch. Maybe we should start a petting zoo, thoughts?? Regardless of the numbers or variety of animals, agriculture has been a huge part of my life ever since I can remember...My 3rd birthday present was a horse ("Daisy Mae"). However, we found out later that day I was allergic to horses. :( My dad is an agriculture education teacher and my grandpa owns and operates the family cattle ranch that began in 1868. Whether I was doing chores, fixing fence, or shoveling rocks I have learned many life lessons because of my upbringing in agriculture and I wouldn't trade that for anything!!! There is lots to know about me but I'll get you started with a few fun facts...
  • Grew up near Sedan, KS then moved to nearby Girard, KS the summer before my senior year of high school
  • Born a K-State Wildcat!!! I am majoring in Food Science & Industry with a minor in Agricultural Economics and an emphasis in Meat Science
  • I have had both of my parents as teachers…My dad was my ag teacher for most of high school until we moved to Girard then I got Mr. Boultinghouse too!
  • Served as Kansas FFA Vice President in 2010-2011
  • 12 year member of 4-H…Sedan Willing Workers and the Hepler Hustlers
  • Showed meat goats and my Black Angus heifer named “Willa”
  • I love to cook!!
  • My all time favorite show is One Tree Hill---have seen all 176 episodes of the 9 seasons so far. My sister and I started watching in high school and got our whole family hooked. When we go home for breaks, we spend hours watching old episodes on DVD :)
  • Riding bikes is a favorite pastime of mine
  • I Love Beef! and promoting beef to consumers too!
  • I’m a music lover…Taylor Swift, George Strait, Eli Young Band…lots of country, red dirt, oldies, and anything but rap or Garth Brooks :)
  • Summer is my favorite time of year--I love the lake and concerts!!
  • Most of all, I love God, my family, and my friends 
I hope you will get to know both Paige and I through our blog as we share our thoughts on life, agriculture, college, and whatever else comes into our wondering minds. Stay tuned, Kassie

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Washington to Kansas

We guess you could say it all started in the summer of 2010, when the two of us met in Washington DC. We were both there as state FFA officers, for the State Presidents Conference. A few months later we met again at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, again a few months later in Argentina and have been friends ever since. We are now both students at Kansas State University in the College of Agriculture.

 State President's Conference, Washington DC Summer 2010

 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers
Argentina January 2011

Though the two of us grew up in completely different parts of the country, and are in different areas of study, both of our lives have been and continue to be rooted in agriculture. Together we have decided to share our experiences, both different and similar, as college students passionate about making a difference in agriculture through this blog. We plan to take turns sharing our thoughts, experiences and whatever comes to our minds.


From Pullman, WA and Girard, KS, we are Paige and Kassie.