Auburn Ag Ambassadors
Outreach has always been a passion of mine, and it has been during my 3 years serving as an Ag Ambassador that I have had numerous opportunities to do so! As an organization, Ag Ambassadors serve as the representatives of Auburn’s College of Agriculture and conduct tours of the 8 college departments and several of the 8 research facilities for prospective students. Additionally, members help organize and oversee professional development opportunities for the college (career fairs, welcome weeks, banquets, information sessions, and more). In addition to giving tours of the college, I specialize in touring prospective students through the Paterson Greenhouse Complex.
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In addition to outreach, this organization has strengthened my analytical and planning skills. For the 2021 - 2022 school year, I served as treasurer of Ag Ambassadors and thus oversaw the financial operations of the organization. Some of my tasks included financial tracking, budgeting for social and professional events, pursuing grant and reimbursement opportunities, overseeing fundraising events, and creating brief financial statements when needed. During my 1-year term as treasurer, I generated over $3,000 in fundraising operations and acquired $2,300 in reimbursements. Budgeting, analysis, and planning is important for virtually all careers, but especially so in landscape architecture. All projects require proper budgeting in order to source the most ideal hardscape and plant materials for them, in addition to sourcing labor and equipment and navigating unforeseen expenses. Improper handling of funds can lead to incomplete projects and potentially upset clients.
This organization has also taught me the value of fellowship and camaraderie. One of my most memorable experiences as an Ag Ambassador was this year’s Spring Retreat event, during which 19 of us traveled to Asheville, North Carolina for 3 days. In addition to planning this year’s operations and expectations while we were there, we had the opportunity to visit the Biltmore Estate and a historical brewery in downtown Asheville. We also took time to give back to the local community: we participated in a riverside clean-up with Greenworks Roadside Cleanup, a local environmental organization.
During this retreat, I got to know my fellow ambassadors on a more personal level, establishing a deeper sense of camaraderie and teamwork as a result. After all, maintaining the image of Auburn’s College of Agriculture is a team effort. Effectively collaborating with fellow members of a team is a skill that will prove invaluable to my work as a landscape architect. In my field, especially at the commercial scale, it is expected to work with members of other industries (civil, industrial, and electrical engineers, architects, city planners, surveyors, project managers, etc). Knowing how to synergize with such a diverse array of professional backgrounds will be critical in ensuring that projects are completed in a timely and cost-effective manner.
