[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":207},["ShallowReactive",2],{"latest-news":3},[4,14,21,28,35,42,49,56,63,70,77,84,91,98,105,112,119,126,133,140,147,154,161,167,173,180,186,193,201],{"ID":5,"headline":6,"news_date":7,"full_story":8,"author_id":9,"url_slug":10,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":13,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},104,"Versant Strategies President MeeCee Baker to Chair Environment & Energy Advisory Committee","2022-12-02 21:52:00","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Incoming Shapiro-Davis Administration Names Members Of Environment\u002FEnergy Transition Advisory Committee\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>On December 2, Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis announced the members of seven Transition Advisory Committees, which will advise the incoming Administration and prepare to advance Governor-Elect Shapiro’s top priorities: growing our economy, making our communities safer, and ensuring all Pennsylvania students receive a high-quality education.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Transition Advisory Committees include Economic Development, Environment\u002FEnergy, Public Safety, Education\u002FWorkforce, Health & Human Services, Consumer Protection, and State Government Operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“Pennsylvanians gave us a mandate to bring people together and get things done – and this diverse, experienced group of leaders and policy experts from every region across the Commonwealth will advise our Transition on the most pressing issues and priorities we face,” said Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro. “It was a privilege to spend the last 14 months traveling across Pennsylvania, listening to and learning from our neighbors. Wherever I went, Pennsylvanians wanted the same thing: an economy that works for everyone, good schools and a quality education for their children, and safe communities for their families – and these Advisory Committees will play a key role assisting the Shapiro-Davis Administration get to work on day one to turn that vision into a reality. ”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Advisory Committee for Environment and Energy will be chaired by \u003Cstrong>MeeCee Baker\u003C\u002Fstrong>, President and Chief Executive Officer, Versant Strategies.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Advisory Committee for Environment and Energy will be made up of environmental experts, labor leaders who represent workers in the energy industry, and policy experts and will advise the transition on how to carry out Shapiro’s vision to create a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy, protect and create jobs, address climate change, and protect Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air and pure water.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Fincoming-shapiro-davis-administration.html?m=1\" target=\"_blank\">Read the full article\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>",0,"versant-strategies-president-meecee-baker-to-chair-environment--energy-advisory-committee","Y","","2022-12-09 21:54:27",{"ID":15,"headline":16,"news_date":17,"full_story":18,"author_id":9,"url_slug":19,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":20,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},103,"Caleb Wright on AgChoice Field Notes Podcast","2021-04-07 11:50:00","\u003Cp>From the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.agchoice.com\u002Fblog\u002Fwhere-are-they-now-caleb-wright\" target=\"_blank\">AgChoice Field Notes Podcast\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>April is National Intern Awareness Month and throughout the month we will interview past AgChoice Farm Credit interns. We recently spoke with Caleb Wright, past intern who now works for Versant Strategies, a public affairs firm located in Harrisburg, PA which specializes in agriculture, rural affairs, education and environmental issues. Caleb shared about himself and his role at Versant Strategies along with his AgChoice internship experience and perspectives.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Listen to the podcast using the player below, or visit \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.agchoice.com\u002Fblog\u002Fwhere-are-they-now-caleb-wright\" target=\"_blank\">agchoice.com\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.buzzsprout.com\u002F960592\u002F8242136-episode-60-where-are-they-now-caleb-wright?client_source=small_player&iframe=true&referrer=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.buzzsprout.com\u002F960592\u002F8242136-episode-60-where-are-they-now-caleb-wright.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-8242136&player=small\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>","caleb-wright-on-agchoice-field-notes-podcast","2021-08-01 11:53:34",{"ID":22,"headline":23,"news_date":24,"full_story":25,"author_id":9,"url_slug":26,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":27,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},101,"NCSU  - Women in Agriculture Q&A (part 2)","2021-01-22 15:58:00","\u003Cp>Last week you were introduced to the \u003Ca href=\"..\u002Fmedia\u002Fncsu---women-in-agriculture-qa-part-1\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Ffootnote.wordpress.ncsu.edu\u002F2021\u002F01\u002F14\u002Fthe-three-female-ag-ed-musketeers-part-i-1-15-2021\u002F&source=gmail&ust=1611433953700000&usg=AFQjCNGXRHd1MRZP3XnTkKVXleU1g-7-1w\">first females who served as national presidents of their professional agricultural education organizations\u003C\u002Fa>. They were MeeCee Baker (NVATA President, 1996-97), Karen Hutchison (NASAE President, 2002-03), and Jacque Deeds (AAAE President, 2006-07). This week we conclude that Footnote with their experiences in the profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Anything of interest or notable during your high school teaching career? What was it like teaching in a male-dominated field?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: The Yellow Dog Society was recently addressed in a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffootnote.wordpress.ncsu.edu\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F11\u002Fthe-yellow-dogs-11-9-2018\u002F\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Ffootnote.wordpress.ncsu.edu\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F11\u002Fthe-yellow-dogs-11-9-2018\u002F&source=gmail&ust=1611433953700000&usg=AFQjCNERy6Bbyk2VjNkpKYfl_4fQ_jC18Q\">Friday Footnote\u003C\u002Fa>.  Pennsylvania’s version would howl at young female agriculture teachers when they were called to stage during the state conference.  Although I always hated the howling, I became enraged when it was directed at Diana Dellinger, my student teacher. When the new Department head at Penn State was inducted into the secret society, I marched into his office the next morning to lodge a complaint.  He quickly disassociated with a forthright letter to all agricultural educators in the Commonwealth. The Yellow Dogs dissolved in lieu of granting access to females, and my reputation as a troublemaker was cemented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was the issue of whether as a female, you would become “one of the guys” or isolate and be deemed haughty.  I always thought there was middle ground but couldn’t tolerate off-color sexually charged jokes.  My Dad never allowed anyone to speak that way around my Mom, Sister, and I, and I in turn could not let such talk pass. So, strike two for the troublemaker.  Still at times, I went along to get along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the worst occurrence of my teaching career happened at an area agriculture teachers’ meeting.  One of the men invited me to hop in his car as we rode to a nearby restaurant for dinner.  He promptly reached in my shirt and ripped my blouse.  I was stunned.  He later claimed I had led him on because I did not speak up when he told dirty jokes and made innuendos.  He was years and years my senior and I was a newlywed. For the longest time, I was scared to death to see him again and did whatever I could to avoid him. Yet oddly, at the time, I felt like I did something wrong.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be sure, there were many welcoming and helpful male teachers who could not and would not tolerate the kind of behaviors mentioned above.  I am grateful to all of them for helping me and my sister teachers along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Karen\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: The teaching experience was very notable. I learned so much about people. I had an amazing vice principal who encouraged me to look beyond the student in my classroom to the whole child, including what they encountered when they went home. It probably helped me have more patience and compassion for the students I taught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For my first teaching position, I was following a female teacher so that was not anything new to the district. Delaware already had 4 or so female teachers by the time I started, and most were active in the teachers' organization so I really did not encounter any issues. I found that if you worked hard and treated people well, they really did not care if you were male or female. When I did my student teaching in VA, both the supervising teachers at Buffalo Gap were very encouraging so I guess I did not expect any issues. Even going to school in male-dominated programs at both the associate's and bachelor’s degree levels, as long as worked hard and didn’t expect any favors, I was treated well. Maybe it helped growing up with older brothers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Jacque\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: When I graduated and started teaching in 1972, I was the first female ag teacher in the state. I was already on the job when the Oregon Ag teachers summer conference was held. Oregon had the Order of the Yellow Dogs and the evening of the initiation I showed up and knew if they denied me participation it would be because of gender. There was a ripple kind of go through the room and I saw a group move the corner with papers having a conversation. I was invited to join the other participants for initiation and became the first woman to sign the bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one state convention, one of my students asked where the other women advisors were? I said I was the only one and how did he feel about that? He said he felt special.  Recently one of the men who was teaching back when I did asked if I had been harassed back in the day. I said yes and related a couple of incidents one of which he had been a part of. He said why didn’t I say something? I said that back then— I went along to get long. However, I was elected as newsletter editor in Oregon for the ag teachers and moved through the officer ranks to OVATA President in 1982-83.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How did you get involved in your professional organization?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I first became involved in NVATA (now NAAE) when I was encouraged to fill out the application for the Distinguished Junior Member Award.  I was fortunate to be named a national winner and made the trip to California to accept the prize.  John Deere was the sponsor and treated the winners like celebrities.  We had fancy dinners and lovely awards.  At that convention, I remember there being less than ten females in a meeting hall of hundreds.  I enjoyed it so much that I went back the following year and years after that.  Eventually, I decided to run for Regional Vice President.  Bob Lauffer my Pennsylvania colleague made my nomination and served as my teller.  I was surprised and excited to have won.  During the following six years I traveled the country and was fortunate to have visited the home areas of many of the other Board members.  A few incidences stand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During a Council meeting in DC, Dr. Gary Moore was the designated driver to take our group to a restaurant that evening.  An argument in the car ensued over the Promise Keepers [not to be confused with the Oath Keepers].  It was me against everyone else in the Suburban, all men, with the Reverend Alvin Larke leading the charge.  The discussion got so heated that Moore lost his way and ended up on the fuel lane of the National Airport.  Somehow, we escaped. I will never forget it, he claims not to remember. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traveling into Elko, Nevada, home of then NVATA President Tom Klein, was not for the faint of heart.  The pilot arranged us on the plane according to weight.  I was unfamiliar with heat pockets and the landing was quite the ride.  That evening we went to a casino where a local Basque sheepherder was enjoying the band.  He asked me to dance and upon my acceptance, flipped me into a country kind of dance move.  When I remarked that I was a big girl to flip, he commented that cowboys like fat calves.  Was that a compliment?  I took it as such.  And of course, the late great Digger taught me to gamble on that trip.  Oh, the fun.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Karen\u003C\u002Fstrong>: While a student at VA Tech, we were always encouraged to belong to our professional organization. So I had a student membership in NVATA. When I started teaching, Deleware had an active DVATA organization, so I joined. When I left teaching to go to the Department of Education and I was sent information on NASAE, it seemed like the right thing to do. My parents were active in different organizations and demonstrated to belong to something was to actively participate in that organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Jacque\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I was a student member of AATEA (now AAAE) at Ohio State and then a regular member when I went to work at Mississippi State. I was asked to run for AAAE Secretary and served for two years. I remember a nominating committee member Carl Beeman being shy in asking me to serve because he did not want to insult me by asking the woman to be the secretary. I served as Southern region VP for two years. I was elected AAAE President-elect in 2005.  I served as AAAE President in 2006-07.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What were your experience as the first female president of your organization?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fstrong>: After a long conversation with NVATA President Merle Richter from Wisconsin, I decided to run for President-elect of NVATA so the next female to do so would have an easier time.  I truly did not expect to win.  In the run-up to the election, I was asked by several members if I planned to have a baby since I was advancing in age a bit.  I assured them that while I would love a child, adoption seemed to be my only option after a long time trying and that would take years.  I developed a strategy and began, like all candidates, to count what I hoped would be my votes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the convention, it was customary for some states to interview the candidates for president-elect.  Oklahoma being the largest delegation was the prize.  The Oklahoma teachers asked to speak with me in my hotel room.  We crowded in and began the discussion.  I thought we would talk about the association and my goals, but instead, they grilled me on cattle, which in retrospect may have been a bit of an ‘ag teacher test’.  Afterward, I peered through the little keyhole in the door as they gathered in the hallway.  The group leader said, “Oh hell, who wants to vote for the girl?’  Hands went up, and for the first time, I felt I had a chance at winning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While serving as president, I began to see women flooding into the profession.  I do remember the self-segregation by ethnicity and gender at many of the state conferences and made it a point to talk to those teachers who always seemed to congregate in the back rows.  Serving at the same time that Corey Flournoy was elected the first African American National FFA President allowed us both to talk about the need for diversity in agriculture and agricultural education, a conversation that continues today.   I am indebted for my time, as what Dr. Jay Jackman likes to say, as the first and last female president of NVATA (the name changed to NAAE shortly thereafter). \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poetic justice rang true when I did become pregnant with my daughter who was born shortly before the end of my presidency.  Libby ultimately was elected the Pennsylvania State FFA President, was a national officer candidate, and a National Star in Agriscience.  She fulfilled her Mother’s dreams of being in agricultural education and belonging to the FFA.  Today Libby is a seminarian at United Lutheran, and we are enjoying a lot of family time during the pandemic. She makes her Mother so proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Karen\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: As the first female president of NASAE (and later The Council) I received nothing but support and encouragement. When I first joined NASAE I was the only female state supervisor for a few years. There were female FFA executive secretaries but not state supervisors. Larry Case encouraged me to stick with NASAE and to really get involved. It was a little challenging and intimidating at first. As some of the older males retired, it did get easier. Randy Trivette, who at the time was state supervisor in New Jersey and a fellow “Hokie” provided a great deal of support and encouragement including pushing me to run for the Eastern region position on the FFA Board of Directors. That experience helped me get to know some great people better, like Belinda Chason from Florida, and Ernie Gill from Colorado. All of these people made my experience a great one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Jacque\u003C\u002Fstrong>: My involvement in AAAE both as an officer and on committees gave me the opportunity to get to know faculty from other institutions.  I enjoyed meeting graduate students and, in some cases, mentoring some of them.  Serving as an AAAE officer put me on the National Council for Agriculture Education which provided an interesting perspective of all the various members of the Ag Ed family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I represented AAAE on the National FFA Board of Directors and commented it was ironic that they let me help run an organization I wasn’t allowed to be a member of in high school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What are you doing now?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I currently own Versant Strategies, a governmental relations firm (a euphemism for lobbying firm) that specializes in agricultural and rural affairs. We are honored to represent the National FFA Organization’s interests.   Versant has a wide range of clients from local farms to large multinational agribusinesses. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I snatched another high school agriculture teacher from the classroom to be my number two.  Many of you may know Caleb Wright.  He is the best of the best of the next generation.  Our lobbying style is a bit different from most in this business.  We never bang the table or threaten.  We teach, starting with a clear objective, using preset strategies, and even resorting to remediation and enrichment activities if need be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still live on my family’s farm with my husband and daughter.  We run a handful of cattle and I enjoy the mountain view and my gardens.  I hope to write another book in the next few years.  Pre-pandemic, I enjoyed accepting invitations to present at meetings and conferences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am an ag teacher at heart.  Always have been and always will be.  And…always will be grateful for my agricultural education background and the dear friends I have met along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Karen\u003C\u002Fstrong>: After teaching 13 years and serving as the state supervisor for another 22 (in Delaware) I retired from the state and joined National FFA in July 2014 as a Local Program Success specialist, now known as State Relations Team specialist.  I am based out of my home in Delaware and cover the FFA eastern region (except IL).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Jacque\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I retired from Mississippi State University in 2012 and moved to Oregon to be closer to family.  I went from being Dr. Deeds to being Aunt Jacque and that is pretty cool too. I stay involved in the profession as a member of the Oregon FFA Foundation Board of Directors. This gives me the opportunity to attend FFA conventions and teacher conferences. I also take pleasure in judging the various CDE’s and helping select scholarship and program grant winners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What advice would you give the profession?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fstrong>: My doctoral research focused on the career paths of women graduating with BS degrees in agricultural education at Penn State.  The population included graduates until 1990.  There were 83, beginning with one in the early 1900s.  The main finding was women entered and stayed in the profession if they had mentors and left if they did not.  The tables have turned, and my alma mater now graduates far more women in agricultural education than men.  This year’s seniors are all women.  A few years back, Newsweek chronicled “The Boy Crisis”.  Is agricultural education now suffering from its’ own boy crisis? Perhaps it is time to replicate that study to ensure that male students are equally encouraged and welcomed into the profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would also ask for the continued emphasis on the three-tier model beginning with a solid classroom experience and a daily learning objective.  While the SAE program is often the overlooked leg of the stool, it often pays the biggest dividends in the lifelong career success of our students.  Of course, FFA is the icing on the agricultural education cake. Never forget that agricultural education remains the model for all education. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to all the engaged readers of the Friday Footnote and those that came before. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Karen\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Do not be afraid to work hard and to learn something new every day.  Get to know people on a personal as well as a professional level.  Always make decisions based on what is best for the students that we serve and encourage and befriend people as they come into the profession and the organizations we belong to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Jacque\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: There will rarely be balance with personal and professional life. It is more like a teeter-totter with work dominating at times and others when personal rises to the top.  Don’t sweat it-we have all been there and understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Concluding Remarks\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Females have not always been welcomed in Agricultural Education. While we all know that females were admitted to membership in the national FFA in 1969, most of us are probably not aware of two actions that occurred at the 1969 national FFA convention (in addition to admitting female members). Numerous male FFA members (there were only male FFA members up until this time) still expressed concern about the decision to admit females to membership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Thursday, Oct. 16 afternoon session of the FFA Convention a question was raised about whether a state could make a decision to exclude female members. Here is what we find in the National FFA Convention Proceedings, 1969, p. 22:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A question of information was asked and discussed relating to whether or not a State may restrict its membership to male students only. It was pointed out that any State-National conflict should be eliminated as soon as possible; furthermore, the State association receives its charter from the national organization, and that no provisions in the State Constitution be in conflict with the National Constitution, and that the Boards of National Officers and Directors would rule that a State would be in conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Friday morning (Oct. 17, 1969) session of the FFA Convention the following resolution was passed (FFA Convention Proceedings, 1969, p. 25) Read it carefully! What is really being said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holland of Tennessee read the following resolution and moved its adoption by the delegates at the 42nd National Convention; motion seconded by Comegys of Delaware and carried:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHEREAS, we, the delegates, to the Forty-Second annual convention have voted to allow all students of vocational agriculture to become members of the FFA;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHEREAS, we therefore have expressed our belief that all individuals are created equal and should have equal opportunities;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHEREAS, we also feel that only those who have competed on an equal basis and earned national recognition should be highly honored at our national convention; be it therefore\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"RESOLVED, that we, the delegates, gathered here today, feel that the introduction of the first active female members to participate in the national FFA activities and the atmosphere and publicity thus associated with these events, be recognized as over-dramatized presentations and should not be taken as precedence set for following female participation, that instead FFA members, girls and boys, should be treated and honored equally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three females featured in this Friday Footnote “have competed on an equal basis and earned national recognition.” They earned the right to be presidents of their professional societies. There has been nothing “over-dramatized” in their contributions to the profession. We owe these three agricultural education professionals a big thank you for breaking the glass ceiling in their professional organizations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, two of the three professional agricultural education organizations have female presidents. Sherisa Nailor of Pennsyvlania is President of NAAE and Juleah Tolosky of Minnesota is President of NASAE. Three of the six regional Vice-Presidents of NAAE are female. Nuff said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friday Footnote Archive\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffootnote.wordpress.ncsu.edu\u002F\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Ffootnote.wordpress.ncsu.edu\u002F&source=gmail&ust=1611433953700000&usg=AFQjCNGDfsHXxXlgpMDa_9kp7H2O1iqHow\">https:\u002F\u002Ffootnote.wordpress.ncsu.edu\u002F\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","ncsu---women-in-agriculture-qa-part-2","2026-04-02 16:15:48",{"ID":29,"headline":30,"news_date":31,"full_story":32,"author_id":9,"url_slug":33,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":34,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},100,"NCSU  - Women in Agriculture Q&A (part 1)","2021-01-22 15:52:00","\u003Cp>Most agricultural educators can quickly identify 1969 as the year females were admitted to national FFA membership and that Julie Smiley was the first female national FFA officer in 1976 and Jan Eberly was the first female national FFA president in 1982.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>But how many of us know when females were selected to be the presidents of our three major professional agricultural education organizations – the NAAE (National Association of Agriculture Educators - previously known as the NVATA – National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association), the NASAE (National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education) and the AAAE (American Association for Agricultural Education – formerly known as the AATEA – American Association of Teacher Educators in Agriculture).\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>In this Friday Footnote we will learn more about the first female presidents of these three professional organizations. They are:\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cul>\r\n\u003Cli> MeeCee Baker – NVATA President (1996-97)\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Karen Hutchison – NASAE President (2002-03)\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Jacque Deeds – AAAE President (2006-07)\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003C\u002Ful>\r\n\u003Cp>This Footnote will take a Question-Answer format. This is Part I. Next week we will conclude this Footnote with Part II.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Were you in agriculture\u002FFFA in high school?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I was not permitted to schedule an agriculture class in high school because of my gender.  Really?  This was almost a decade after women were permitted to join FFA and even my Mother was enrolled in high school agricultural education in the 1940s.  She liked to tell stories about her teacher and brag that she won the carpentry award, beating out a male cousin.  But Juniata County (Pennsylvania) was not exactly progressive on the educational front in the 1970s, and I was destined to suffer through home economics, or rather, Mrs. Fronk was destined to suffer through with me. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Note:  My Mom left college for two years to weld during the war using skills she learned on the farm and in the high school agriculture classroom.  She eventually had a very long and successful teaching career.  Her students, now in their 70s and 80s, still comment on how much they loved her.  She was a champion for the underdog.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Karen\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I was not enrolled in any agriculture classes in high school, which was in the early 70’s. I did ask about taking an ag class but was discouraged from doing it by my guidance counselor since I was on the college prep track. Instead, I was enrolled in an interior design class.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Jacque\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I was able to take agriculture classes at Drain High School (Oregon) before girls were able to be in FFA. Dan Dunham was my first ag teacher and he thought girls should be in ag and FFA. He was a former Oregon FFA President and National President. We could participate in district events (I won the District Creed but the second-place boy went to state). We could show livestock at county and state fairs but not judge at the state level.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The state supervisor called me in 1969 and offered me the opportunity to get my State Degree I declined because all my cattle had been sold to help pay my college expenses. (I later received Honorary State degrees in Oregon, Ohio, and Mississippi and my Honorary American degree.)\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What was your higher education pathway\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong>?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Like many farm kids who head off to college, I wanted to be a vet.  That is until, like many farm kids, I had my first run-in with organic chemistry, the dreaded “O” chem.  Two tries later my fate was sealed.  There would be no veterinary medical school in my future.  Becoming a livestock agent with the Cooperative Extension Service seemed like the next best option. My major was changed, and I entered the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>I distinctly remember being in the halls of Armsby Building when the late Dr. Donald Evans asked me if I would consider changing my option from Extension to education.  I never thought about becoming an agriculture teacher. After all, I had been denied admission to a high school program just a few years earlier.  However, Dr. Evan’s suggestion settled, and it was not long before I changed my option to education and began a career trajectory that I previously could never have imagined.  There were bumps, lots of bumps, along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>I came to revere my agricultural education professors and am still in contact with a few, like Drs. Jim Diamond and Ed Yoder.   The classes were both informative and fun, except for the time I almost electrocuted a classmate in the welding lab, or when all my birds died in the unfortunate caponizing class.  I also remember spirited discussions regarding the suitability of females to teach agriculture.  My dear friend Dr. Carol Hardbarger and I swear we have PTSD resulting from discussions with an Army veteran classmate who vehemently thought we were out of our element. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Karen\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: When I graduated from high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do but having grown up on a farm, I knew I enjoyed working with plants and animals so I decided to start at the community college in agribusiness so I have my associate's degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>I was fortunate enough to have a very encouraging counselor who encouraged me to continue my education and work on my bachelor’s degree. He had a brother-in-law at Virginia Tech, so he encouraged me to check out the school. After a trip to campus, I knew that is where I wanted to be. Also, Virginia Tech transferred all but 3 of my community college credits. I chose to major in Agriculture Education because I could take both plant and animal science classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>When I was finishing my degree, I was once again fortunate to have someone who provided me with wise advice. I was not sure if teaching is what I wanted to do, even though I had a great student teaching experience at Buffalo Gap HS, but Dr. John Hillison encouraged me to try it noting that it would be easier to leave the profession than to jump in after a different career, so that is what I did. There was an ag teacher shortage then as there is now so finding a job was not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>While teaching, I went on to the University of Delaware and earned a master’s degree in vocational studies. I earned my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership while working at the Delaware Department of Education.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Jacque\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I went to Oregon State University and started in Animal Science but Dan Dunham (my former ag teacher) who was at OSU doing doctoral work convinced me to go to Ag Ed.  I completed my master’s at Oregon State while teaching in 1979 mostly by taking classes during the summer.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>At the AVA\u002FNVATA conference in 1982 Dan once again guided my career and said it was time to get my Ph.D. and invited me to come to OSU east (Ohio State). I visited and received an offer and went there between 1983-85. While at Ohio State I was President of the Ag-Ed graduate student club.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Did you teach high school agriculture? Where and When?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>MeeCee\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I eventually moved through student teaching and into a one-year teaching position taking the place of Dr. Arba Henry, who was on sabbatical to complete his doctoral research.  During this year, I was mentored by Ron Althoff, my teaching partner.  His guidance helped me to fully appreciate and understand the essential nature of SAE and the importance of visiting students’ projects. I was from a row crop, forage, and cattle kind of area and quickly had to acclimate to a broader expanse of agriculture that included mushrooms, tobacco, and bedding plant production.  Ron helped me through the typical first-year rough patches and gave me the solid foundation I needed to be a successful teacher.  However, when that rookie year ended, I knew I needed to expand my education and entered an MS program in agricultural economics at the University of Delaware (U of D). \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>At U of D, I joined a diverse eclectic group of graduate students who studied hard and played even harder.  We formed the infamous, at least in our minds, Cow Patties co-ed intramural football team and won the championship!  Occasionally, my teammates let me quarterback.  Midway through my second year, an opportunity arose to take a teaching position in swine science at a commutable school in New Jersey.  I jumped at the opportunity and quickly found out that I would be joining the Union (as dictated by the boss who visited me on the first day), that feeding hogs outside of Camden meant slopping cooked restaurant garbage, not a ration, the late King Kong Bundy had been a faculty member, and students could smoke in the parking lot provided they had a parental note.  Despite the color commentary, this school district was ahead of its’ time.  The programming was a combination comprehensive and vocational career and technical center.  Students could seamlessly slip among the classes cobbling together custom-made curriculums. I will always remember the mutual respect between those directly headed to careers and those entering college.  Nothing like having a classmate cut your hair, fix your car, or help with an algebra assignment.  I will also say that being a female agriculture teacher in New Jersey felt quite normal in 1984. It just wasn’t an issue.  As the academic year closed, my Dad’s health was slipping, and I felt pulled back to the farm.  I wrapped up my MS degree and headed home to Pennsylvania.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Finding another agriculture position proved difficult and gut-wrenching.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>That summer, an opening was available at East Juniata High School where my Uncle was the principal.  I turned down an offer for a science slot after being reassured that I was a top contender for that agriculture job.  August ground on and an interview never came.  I mustered up the strength to speak to my Uncle who told me I should have known a woman could not teach agriculture in “that end of the county” (since then women have).  The sting still hurts especially considering the administration was not entirely candid and the administration was my Dad’s brother.  I happened into a science spot in mid-September and taught seven repetitive classes of physical science for two years.  It was income.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>An announcement for an agriculture job at Greenwood School District appeared in the PA School Board Association Bulletin.  I applied immediately and was granted an interview.  The superintendent met me at the door on the set day and instead of going inside, we toured the district, stopping at a few farms.  He asked about my computer and mechanical skills since that was the program’s emphasis.  I told the truth.  They were poor.  Nevertheless, I was hired and started teaching 16 boys in a traditional Ag I, II, III, and IV curriculum.  Shortly after school started that fall, the superintendent was fired, and I am convinced to this day he pushed for me in order to punish the farmers on the School Board who ousted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The boys were less than thrilled and the shop teacher who taught beside me, bemused.  Herm watched me and my students construct greenhouses out of pallets to use in SAE projects.  The day we finished, he sauntered over to my room to ask how we would get them through my small classroom doorway.  And so, it went.  The students’ fathers were even less impressed.  An effort to move me along started to gain some momentum. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>When I recruited two young women to join the ranks the following year, the tenor began to change.  Then the entrance of Amy and Krista Byers (Pontius) into my classroom a few years after that marked the change of the program’s trajectory.  Amy’s Dad was the School Board member who helped me usher in a change to an agriscience curriculum.  With that, the numbers grew exponentially.  When I left years later, there were over 100 students in the 9-12 program in a school that graduates 50 or 60.  And by the way, Krista is one of the two agriculture teachers at Greenwood today.  They are hoping to hire a third.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Karen\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: I taught high school ag for 13 years, 10 in one school and 3 in a second. The first 10 years were in a traditional high school with a very supportive community. This was at Woodbridge High School in Bridgeville, Delaware from 1979-1989. The next 3 years were in a vocational center; my first year was a shared time school (Kent Vo-Tech) that transitioned to a fulltime school (Polytech HS - fulltime career and tech center) for my last two. I taught there from 1989-1992.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Jacque\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 1972-1975 North Clackamas Skills Center and feeder high schools -- Clackamas Oregon.  The program had five teachers that taught one-hour Agriculture I-II classes at the high school and two-hour Ag III-IV at the Sabin Skills Center.  We had a large land lab and a full-time lab manager.  Milwaukee High School had the Ag class in the old Band Hall about a half block from the main school.  One day one of the students in an all-male class asked “Are you afraid to be out here alone with us?”  I said I was not, but should I be?\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>1975-1977 Cottage Grove High School. Cottage Grove was closer to home and a program that needed rebuilding.  After a year and a half, the Cottage Grove Schools closed because of a lack of budget and I returned to Oregon State to work on the State Department’s standards project and complete my master’s course.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>1977-1983 Clatsop County Intermediate Education District. We had a vocational center with three teachers that serviced Seaside, Astoria, and Warrenton high schools in the county.  All classes were 2 hours long and included Ag 1-2 and specialized courses in Animal Science, Horticulture, Agriculture Mechanics and Forestry. I taught an Ag 4 class that brought some students back together with an emphasis on leadership development.  We had a weekly 5-minute radio program in which the students wrote on their area of interest (sometimes a recommendation from the County Extension Agent related to a local problem or concern). We always included a minute on FFA news like competition results, fundraising activities, and upcoming events.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>To be continued next week. In Part II of this Friday Footnote these individuals respond to the following questions:\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cul>\r\n\u003Cli> Anything of interest or notable during your high school teaching career? What was it like teaching in a male-dominated field?\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> How did you get involved in your professional organization?\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> What was your experience as the first female president of your organization?\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> What are you doing now?\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> What advice would you give the profession?\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003C\u002Ful>\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Stay tuned!\u003C\u002Fp>","ncsu---women-in-agriculture-qa-part-1","2021-01-22 15:56:25",{"ID":36,"headline":37,"news_date":38,"full_story":39,"author_id":9,"url_slug":40,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":41,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},99,"Versant's Caleb Wright Appears on PA Farm Show Diversity Panel","2021-01-22 15:24:00","\u003Cp>Versant Strategies' Caleb Wright was featured on the diversity panel during the 2021 Virtual PA Farm Show. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffb.watch\u002F31EerXfYdL\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Watch the full video\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffb.watch\u002F31EerXfYdL\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg style=\"width:60%\" src=\"\u002Fpublication_files\u002Fcaleb.jpg\" alt=\"Caleb Wright speaking on the 2021 Farm Show.\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","versants-caleb-wright-appears-on-pa-farm-show-diversity-panel","2025-12-22 17:32:14",{"ID":43,"headline":44,"news_date":45,"full_story":46,"author_id":9,"url_slug":47,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":48,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},98,"America250PA Campaign checks in with MeeCee Baker as it continues its Virtual Travels Across The Commonwealth","2020-05-23 18:35:00","\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-dnt=\"true\">\u003Cp lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fhashtag\u002FAmerica250Pa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#America250Pa\u003C\u002Fa> continues our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fhashtag\u002FVirtualTravelsAcrossTheCommonwealth?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#VirtualTravelsAcrossTheCommonwealth\u003C\u002Fa> today as we head to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fhashtag\u002FJuniataCo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#JuniataCo\u003C\u002Fa> to check in with MeeCee! \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fhashtag\u002FEveryCounty?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#EveryCounty\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fhashtag\u002FEveryPennsylvanian?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#EveryPennsylvanian\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ft.co\u002F1wtY6kQomn\">pic.twitter.com\u002F1wtY6kQomn\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>— America250PA (@America250_PA) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FAmerica250_PA\u002Fstatus\u002F1258756823445798912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 8, 2020\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fblockquote> \u003Cscript async src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplatform.twitter.com\u002Fwidgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\">\u003C\u002Fscript>","america250pa-campaign-checks-in-with-meecee-baker","2020-05-23 18:42:11",{"ID":50,"headline":51,"news_date":52,"full_story":53,"author_id":9,"url_slug":54,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":55,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},97,"Caleb Wright as Elected Board Member to Penn State College of Ag Sciences Alumni Society Brings Greetings to 2020 Graduates","2020-05-15 16:26:00","\u003Cp>\u003Cvideo width=\"100%\" height=\"600\" controls=\"controls\">\r\n  \u003Csource src=\"\u002Fpublication_files\u002FPSU_CAS_2020_Grad_Video_1.mp4\" type=\"video\u002Fmp4\">\r\n\r\nYour browser does not support HTML 5 video.\r\n\u003C\u002Fvideo>\u003C\u002Fp>","caleb-wright-greetings-to-2020-graduates","2025-12-22 18:05:10",{"ID":57,"headline":58,"news_date":59,"full_story":60,"author_id":9,"url_slug":61,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":62,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},96,"Baker and Conrad hope 4-H gift opens doors and inspires others","2020-03-10 14:50:00","\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fharrisburg.psu.edu\u002Fstory\u002F21931\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F10\u002Falumni-hope-4-h-gift-opens-doors-and-inspires-others\" target=\"_blank\">From PennState\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Youth of Juniata County will have membership fees for 4-H covered\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>For Penn State alumni and lifelong friends MeeCee Baker, a 1982 agricultural education graduate, and Jeff Conrad, a 1983 graduate in agricultural business management, 4-H played a pivotal role in their lives. With the goal of opening doors for young people in the county where they grew up and inspiring others to support 4-H in their own communities, Baker and Conrad made a gift covering the membership fees for all youth who wanted to participate in 4-H in Juniata County this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker and Conrad grew up in Juniata County in central Pennsylvania and met through their participation in 4-H. They both credit their experiences in 4-H with charting the course of their lives, including helping to finance their education and exposing them to the wider world outside their rural community.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“Jeff and I realized how 4-H encouraged us to become leaders, influenced our careers, and got us started on a positive path in agriculture,” said Baker.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Conrad echoed her thoughts, saying, “I was the first in my family to go to college. That’s why 4-H is such a passion for me -- because it got me off the farm. When I look at my background, I see the importance of 4-H and a program that can be very helpful in assisting young people by giving them exposure to the larger world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker and Conrad both pursued careers involving agriculture. Baker, who started out as an agricultural education teacher, is the president and CEO of Versant Strategies, an agricultural government relations firm in Harrisburg. She continues to live in central Pennsylvania on the farm where she was raised. Conrad, who grew up on a dairy farm, has lived and worked in Boston for the last 30 years. After retiring from the Hancock Agricultural Investment Group, he started his own investment firm called AgIS Capital (Agricultural Investment Strategies), which manages capital for institutional investors by acquiring and managing large farms producing almonds, walnuts, pistachios, wine grapes, apples, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>When Baker and Conrad were growing up, there was not a membership fee to join 4-H like there is today. However, they both recognize the fee could be a barrier for youth who would otherwise want to participate in 4-H.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“Jeff and I realized we had such a boost in belonging to 4-H that we wanted to be able to give back so that anyone in Juniata County who wanted to participate would be able to free of charge,” said Baker. “We also didn’t want the leaders to have to worry about continuing to fundraise to help cover those costs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“I can’t say enough about how critical 4-H was for me and I imagine it continues to be for many kids,” said Conrad. “We really hope this will open the door to help more youth benefit from a program that benefited us so greatly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker and Conrad also hope their gift inspires others to consider doing something similar in their own communities. With 4-H programs in every county across the state, they both would be thrilled to see their gift replicated by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“Folks often think these types of gifts are out of their reach,” said Baker. “You don’t have to be of great means to be able to do these types of things. If there is a message behind all of this, it’s that little gifts are the ones that make the biggest difference. 4-H was a gift to us, and we want to pass that gift along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“The Pennsylvania 4-H program is dedicated to providing high-quality, positive youth development experiences to youth throughout the commonwealth,” noted Josh Rice, Penn State Extension assistant director for 4-H youth development programs.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“The gift from Dr. Baker and Mr. Conrad will help to provide learning and leadership opportunities to youth in Juniata County,” Rice said. “They were able to take the impact that 4-H had on their lives and pay it forward to the next generation of 4-Hers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Businesses or individuals interested in making a similar gift to support 4-H in their county can contact \u003Ca href=\"mailto:lxs229@psu.edu\">Lauren Steinberg\u003C\u002Fa>, senior director of development in the College of Agricultural Sciences.\u003C\u002Fp>","baker-and-conrad-hope-4-h-gift-opens-doors-and-inspires-others","2020-03-10 14:53:44",{"ID":64,"headline":65,"news_date":66,"full_story":67,"author_id":9,"url_slug":68,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":69,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},94,"Caleb Wright on AgGrad Nation","2019-05-30 10:58:00","\u003Cp>In a growing industry with so many influential individuals, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faggrad.com\u002F\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Faggrad.com\u002F&source=gmail&ust=1559740833483000&usg=AFQjCNE7R8R8R1Hor_EHgMdmFLsJUADDow\">AgGrad\u003C\u002Fa> created an award to recognize those who go above and beyond. AgGrad’s 30 Under 30 award celebrates many of the young professionals shaping the future of agriculture. Fourteen judges selected winners from peer and self-nominations based on contributions in their career, community, and the industry at large. Winners will be featured on AgGrad’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FAgGradNation\u002F\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FAgGradNation\u002F&source=gmail&ust=1559740833483000&usg=AFQjCNHeAq9a9XzLgOm7SlucVQ0SWul1rA\">social media channels\u003C\u002Fa> and in a special print and \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faggrad.com\u002F30-updates\u002F\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=http:\u002F\u002Faggrad.com\u002F30-updates\u002F&source=gmail&ust=1559740833483000&usg=AFQjCNF-2jeW2ZXdOGhMX6qrRmwuLN9ebA\">online publication\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Check out the Facebook Live video with Caleb Wright below.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fplugins\u002Fvideo.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAgGradNation%2Fvideos%2F550289445505034%2F&show_text=0&width=560\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>","caleb-wright-on-aggrad-nation","2019-06-06 15:44:29",{"ID":71,"headline":72,"news_date":73,"full_story":74,"author_id":9,"url_slug":75,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":76,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},93,"Versant Strategies awarded PA FFA Citation Award","2018-07-23 22:13:00","\u003Cp>Versant Strategies, Harrisburg’s top agricultural and rural affairs lobbying firm, recently received a Citation Award from the Pennsylvania FFA for their commitment to advocating on behalf of Pennsylvania’s over 150 agricultural educators.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Both President and CEO MeeCee Baker and COO Caleb Wright received the citation on stage at the Bryce Jordan Center on the campus of the Pennsylvania State University.  “This award is quite special as both Caleb and I spent time as teachers in high school ag ed classrooms,” stated Baker.  Wright commented, “We are honored to represent the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) in the Commonwealth and look forward to a bright future with their association.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence was established in the 2017 Education Code. The formation of the Commission was a leading legislative priority for the PAAE. Baker and Wright were instrumental in working with key legislative stakeholders to get the Commission into statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fnews_images\u002Fnews93_large.jpg\" style=\"width:70%\"\u002F>","versant-strategies-awarded-pa-ffa-citation-award","2025-12-22 17:40:20",{"ID":78,"headline":79,"news_date":80,"full_story":81,"author_id":9,"url_slug":82,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":83,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},92,"Dr. MeeCee Baker to be presented with Gold Medal Award","2018-01-19 13:02:00","\u003Cp>The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture will recognize its Gold Medal Dr. MeeCee Baker at our February 2018 meeting at the Union League.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fpspaonline.com\u002Fdr-meecee-baker-to-be-presented-with-gold-medal-award\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Read the full story\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","dr-meecee-baker-to-be-presented-with-gold-medal-award","2018-01-19 13:02:36",{"ID":85,"headline":86,"news_date":87,"full_story":88,"author_id":9,"url_slug":89,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":90,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},91,"Versant's Baker and Wright talk agricultural education and immigration on Farm Country Radio","2018-01-16 12:12:00","\u003Cp>Versant CEO Baker and COO Wright discuss agricultural education and immigration with Farm Country Radio at the 102nd PA Farm Show.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fpafarmcountryradio.com\u002Fvideos.html\" target=\"_blank\">Watch the videos here\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","versants-baker-and-wright-talk-agricultural-education-and-immigration","2018-01-16 12:16:35",{"ID":92,"headline":93,"news_date":94,"full_story":95,"author_id":9,"url_slug":96,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":97,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},90,"Versant Strategies COO Caleb Wright Joins two Statewide Board","2017-12-04 11:19:00","\u003Cp>Caleb Wright, Chief Operating Officer of Versant Strategies, has been elected to the Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society Board.  In addition, he was appointed to the PA FFA Foundation Board of Trustees.  Wright oversees the day to day operations of Versant Strategies, Pennsylvania’s leading public affairs firm specializing in agriculture, rural affairs, education and environmental issues. While at Penn State, Wright was named the inaugural Harkins Family Emerging Leader Award recipient.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>As a board member of the Alumni Society, Wright will work to promote opportunities for students in the college and support their transition into the workplace.  The Alumni Society recognizes students through internship awards as well as scholarships.  Further the Board facilitates career day workshops and serves as mentors for current students and recent graduates.  Wright, who was elected to serve a three-year term on the Board, has become a frequent presenter in Penn State classes and organizational meetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The PA FFA Foundation raises funds to support agricultural education and the FFA Organization in Pennsylvania.  The Foundation Board consists of industry leaders from across the Commonwealth who meet quarterly to provide direction and support.  Wright was a former state FFA officer and a national officer candidate. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Wright hails from a Huntingdon County sheep farm where he continues to breed and exhibit nationally recognized polled Dorset sheep.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>MEDIA CONTACT:  Dr. MeeCee Baker 717-860-8463\u003C\u002Fp>","versant-strategies-coo-caleb-wright-joins-two-statewide-board","2017-12-04 11:21:11",{"ID":99,"headline":100,"news_date":101,"full_story":102,"author_id":9,"url_slug":103,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":104,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},89,"Baker discusses the budget on PA Farm Broadcast Radio","2017-07-17 18:19:00","\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mediafire.com\u002Ffile\u002Fru7yx4hvqsqrb9f\u002FMeeCee_Baker_.PhD.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">Listen to Versant's MeeCee Baker\u003C\u002Fa> discuss the budget on PA Farm Broadcast Radio\u003C\u002Fp>","baker-discusses-the-budget-on-pa-farm-broadcast-radio","2017-07-23 18:22:28",{"ID":106,"headline":107,"news_date":108,"full_story":109,"author_id":9,"url_slug":110,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":111,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},88,"Baker gift to support College of Agricultural Sciences LGBTQA student club","2017-05-22 14:00:00","\u003Cp>Students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences understand the importance of cultivating fields and growing crops. One group, Students for Cultivating Change, recognizes the need to grow something more — inclusion and diversity — and generous support from MeeCee Baker, a respected alumna of the college, will help advance its cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker recently created a $20,000 endowment named the \"Baker Students for Cultivating Change Award,\" which will be given to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences and have demonstrated advocacy for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally (LGBTQA) community at the University through active membership with the Students for Cultivating Change club or a similar organization. In addition, she pledged $1,000 a year for the next five years for immediate support of the award.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fnews.psu.edu\u002Fstory\u002F468932\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F19\u002Fadministration\u002Fbaker-gift-support-college-agricultural-sciences-lgbtqa\" target=\"_blank\">Read the full article on Penn State News\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","baker-gift-to-support-college-of-agricultural-sciences-lgbtqa-student-club","2017-05-22 14:01:57",{"ID":113,"headline":114,"news_date":115,"full_story":116,"author_id":9,"url_slug":117,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":118,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},87,"Baker named to Attorney General-Elect's Personnel and Planning Task Force","2016-12-09 19:50:00","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Attorney General-Elect Josh Shapiro Continues Statewide Community Transition “Setting the People’s Priorities”\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Shapiro, Council President Clarke, community advocates and leaders discuss local response to gun violence at North Philadelphia community forum. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cem>Shapiro also announces Personnel & Planning Task Force to help recruit best, brightest, most diverse talent to the Office of Attorney General.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>This week, Attorney General-Elect Josh Shapiro continued his community-driven transition effort with a community forum on gun violence in North Philadelphia. He also announced the formation of a Personnel and Planning Task Force to help him recruit the best, brightest and most diverse talent to the Office of Attorney General. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“To be the People’s Attorney General you need to listen and know what’s happening outside the halls of government, and that’s how I intend to do the job,” said Attorney General-Elect Josh Shapiro. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“Gun violence is a significant issue across Pennsylvania, and these community forums show that Attorney General-Elect Shapiro cares about us,” added City Council President Darrell Clarke, who moderated Tuesday’s forum.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>On Tuesday, Attorney General-Elect Shapiro and Council President Clarke were joined by community advocates, mothers of homicide victims, and public safety officials, including Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Sheriff Jewell Williams, and District Attorney Seth Williams at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center in North Philadelphia. “What works? What doesn’t work?” Shapiro asked forum participants, referencing gun violence prevention initiatives. “I want to use our resources wisely, work with your law enforcement leaders and you to help make us safer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>This week, Shapiro also announced the formation of a Personnel and Planning Task Force to help him assemble the best, brightest and most diverse talent to work in the Office of Attorney General.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“I’m proud of this bipartisan group of leaders from across our Commonwealth who are helping me build the team that will lead the Office of Attorney General,” Shapiro said. “I’m grateful for the service of these attorneys, prosecutors and leaders from across Pennsylvania. With their help, we’ll have our leadership team in place and ready to serve the people of Pennsylvania.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cdiv id=\"clients\">\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Personnel and Planning Task Force is led by four co-chairs and a senior counsel:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cul>\r\n\u003Cli> Wadud Ahmad, Partner, Ahmad Zafferese LLC, and former Philadelphia prosecutor \u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Leslie Gromis Baker, Co-Chair and Managing Director of State and Federal Government Relations, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, and former chief of staff to Gov. Tom Corbett\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Walter Cohen, Partner, Obermayer, Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel and former Pennsylvania Attorney General \u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Leslie Anne Miller, Principal, Leslie Anne Miller Esq. and former General Counsel to Gov. Ed Rendell \u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> William R. Sasso, Chairman, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young; Task Force’s Senior Counsel\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003C\u002Ful>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Members of the Task Force include:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cul>\r\n\u003Cli> MeeCee Baker, President\u002FCEO, Versant Strategies\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Joann Bell, Director, Pugliese Associates\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Neal Bisno, Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union \u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Pat Brier, Partner, Myers, Brier & Kelly\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Tony Coelho, former Member, U.S. Congress\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Steve Crawford, President, Wojdak & Associates\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> William Curtis, Pastor, Mt. Ararat Baptist Church\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> John Fry, President, Drexel University\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Steve Irwin, Partner, Leech Tishman\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Lauren Lambrugo, Chief Operating Officer, Montgomery County\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Jannie Lau, Executive Vice President\u002FGen. Counsel, InterDigital\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Charlie Lyons, President, Shelly Lyons\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Jim Martin, District Attorney, Lehigh County\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> John McNesby, President, FOP Lodge #5\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Dennis Pagliotti, President and Business Manager, Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local #1\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Vincent Quatrini, Chairman, Quatrini Rafferty\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Brian Regli, Founder, Drakontas\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> David Senoff, Partner, Anapol Weiss\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003Cli> Kevin Steele, District Attorney, Montgomery County\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003C\u002Ful>\r\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>","baker-named-to-attorney-general-elects-personnel-and-planning-task-force","2016-12-16 22:09:10",{"ID":120,"headline":121,"news_date":122,"full_story":123,"author_id":9,"url_slug":124,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":125,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},85,"Inspired by Her Ag Teacher","2016-07-05 15:10:00","\u003Cp>Krista Pontius is passionate about agricultural education.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Greenwood High School agriculture education teacher in Millerstown, Perry County, Pa., wants people of all ages to know more about farms in Pennsylvania.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Pontius also is a Region VI vice president for the National Associaton of Agricultural Educators. She will run for president-elect of the region in December. Until then, she is busy visiting other mid-Atlantic and New England states in her region to learn more about how ag education is developing and growing in other areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“It has been very fulfilling to serve in this role,” Pontius said. By the end of summer she will have been in eight states. Her first visit is to Vermont. Pontius had visited Connecticut a few years ago and said they had a lot of aquaculture.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Read the full article at \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.lancasterfarming.com\u002Ffarm_life\u002Fyouth\u002Finspired-by-her-ag-teacher\u002Farticle_06b0d9bd-5a41-56bc-95d3-09df86c11a45.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share\" target=\"_blank\">Lancaster Farming\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","inspired-by-her-ag-teacher","2016-07-05 15:14:57",{"ID":127,"headline":128,"news_date":129,"full_story":130,"author_id":9,"url_slug":131,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":132,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},86,"Statement From the Pennsylvania Winery Association Regarding House Bill 1690","2016-06-13 12:22:00","\u003Cp>From \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pennsylvaniawine.com\u002Fnode\u002F3415\" target=\"_blank\">PennsylvaniaWine.com\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Pennsylvania Winery Association (PWA) is thankful to our elected officials for their support in the passage of House Bill 1690. Provisions of the bill will be incredibly helpful to increasing the commerce opportunities of Pennsylvania wines. When enacted 60 days from June 8, 2016, Pennsylvania wineries will be able to sell PA beers and spirits by the glass at their licensed locations. Further expanding on the partnership with tourism, Pennsylvania bed & breakfasts will be able to provide a bottle of Pennsylvania wine to welcome their guests. Additionally, the establishment of a direct shipping law will enable PA wineries the opportunity to ship to areas that they may not have been able to ship to in the past. With funds derived from shipping, Pennsylvania wineries will be in parity with the promotion and research of wine regions of the Eastern Seaboard. As the PWA President, I can assure you that the PWA looks forward to the opportunities availed in HB1690 to showcase Pennsylvania wines.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cdiv>Jamie Williams\u003C\u002Fdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv>The Winery at Wilcox\u003C\u002Fdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv>President, Pennsylvania Winery Association\u003C\u002Fdiv>\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>","statement-from-the-pa-winery-association-regarding-hb-1690","2016-07-07 14:00:00",{"ID":134,"headline":135,"news_date":136,"full_story":137,"author_id":9,"url_slug":138,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":139,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},84,"Risser Grain Cuts Ribbon on Joint Infrastructure Project","2015-10-09 14:16:00","\u003Cp>On Thursday October 1\u003Csup>st \u003C\u002Fsup>, Brent Risser of Risser Grain cut a ribbon stretched across a newly paved section of Beaver Run Road which leads into Risser’s Turbotville location. The transportation project was jointly funded by local and state government along with private dollars.  In attendance for the celebratory event were Senator John Gordner, who was instrumental in the initiation of the project, Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver, and the Northumberland County Commissioners.  Neighbors and well-wishers from the agricultural industry also participated in the festivities.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Senator Gordner stated, “This is an outstanding example of a government and business partnership that will create access to markets and create new jobs.  I’m always pleased to be able to assist in such projects.” \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver added, “You can’t get any bigger win to improve the economy, agriculture, and community while creating jobs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Risser told those in attendance that his Turbotville location would not only benefit producers in the immediate location but would also now serve farmers from far reaching areas further emphasizing the positive influence of the project.  He stated, “The road is also essential in supporting the Pennsylvania farmer.  The reconstruction of Beaver Run Road will create an efficient flow of commodities and help sustain Pennsylvania agriculture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Risser is especially grateful for the cooperative effort and added, “I want to thank Senator Gordner, Phil Dun, Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver, the County Commissioners and everyone at Lewis Township for realizing the importance of rural infrastructure and supporting Pennsylvania agriculture by funding this project.”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fnews_images\u002Fnews84_large.jpg\" style=\"width:70%\"\u002F>","risser-grain-cuts-ribbon-on-joint-infrastructure-project","2025-12-22 17:44:09",{"ID":141,"headline":142,"news_date":143,"full_story":144,"author_id":9,"url_slug":145,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":146,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},83,"Versant team interviewed by President of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni","2015-08-27 13:47:00","\u003Cp>Listen to the full interview using the player below or \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fpublication_files\u002Fteam_versant.m4a\" target=\"_blank\">download the audio file\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Caudio style=\"width: 388px;\" controls=\"controls\"> \r\n  \u003Csource src=\"\u002Fpublication_files\u002Fteam_versant.m4a\" type=\"audio\u002Fmpeg\">\r\n\u003C\u002Faudio>\u003C\u002Fp>","versant-team-interview","2025-12-22 18:06:33",{"ID":148,"headline":149,"news_date":150,"full_story":151,"author_id":9,"url_slug":152,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":153,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},82,"Top Ag Public Affairs Firm Versant Strategies Announces New Chief Operating Officer","2015-07-30 09:48:00","\u003Cp>Versant Strategies, Pennsylvania’s leading public affairs firm specializing in agricultural, rural, education and environmental issues, today announced the addition of Caleb Wright at its Chief Operating Officer.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>“We’re very pleased to welcome Caleb to our team of rural advocacy experts,” said Versant Strategies’ President MeeCee Baker. “Caleb’s roots in Pennsylvania’s agricultural community are deep and the accolades he’s earned during his young career have already marked him as a voice of rural Pennsylvania’s new generation. Our clients will benefit from his energies and talents in the service of their causes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Raised on a Huntingdon County farm that has borne his family’s name for over a century, Caleb grew up as the grandson of the region’s renowned veterinarian, Doc Kyper, with a family legacy of serving the rural community. Prior to joining Versant Strategies, he served as a PA State FFA Officer, was a National FFA Officer Candidate, and taught high school agriculture.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Wright is a graduate of Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education. He was named as the College of Agricultural Science’s inaugural Emerging Leader Candidate, working one-on-one with the College’s Dean. Caleb investigated recruitment and retention of students in Agricultural Education as a Penn State research project. A skilled speaker, his energized commitment to rural education also earned him the Youth Agricultural Award presented by the Penn State Agriculture Council.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Along with managing day-to-day operations of the firm, Caleb actively lobbies and assists with organizational management.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Based in Harrisburg, Versant Strategies conducts government relations, regulatory work and a variety of related services to a roster of clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to statewide and national trade associations to family-owned farms and businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>With a senior consulting team comprised of leading educators, business leaders and policymakers who have served at the highest echelons of state government, Versant Strategies is one of the premier public affairs firms specializing in agricultural, environmental, educational and rural interests in the Northeastern United States.\u003C\u002Fp>","versant-strategies-announces-new-chief-operating-officer","2015-08-25 10:06:57",{"ID":155,"headline":156,"news_date":157,"full_story":12,"author_id":158,"url_slug":159,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":160,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},80,"Tweets from Baker's at the AgEd Policy Seminar, Washington, DC","2015-03-12 10:09:00",27,"tweets-from-bakers-at-the-aged-policy-seminar-washington-dc","0000-00-00 00:00:00",{"ID":162,"headline":163,"news_date":164,"full_story":165,"author_id":158,"url_slug":166,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":160,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},79,"Tweets from Baker's speech at NC State Agriculture and Biotechnology Summit","2014-12-08 14:33:00","\u003Cp>In November, Dr. MeeCee Baker was a keynote speaker at N.C. State's 2014 Agriculture and Biotechnology Summit. Tweets during Baker's discussion of "How We Can Advance Agriculture and Science" are included in this image.\u003C\u002Fp>","tweets-from-bakers-speech",{"ID":168,"headline":169,"news_date":170,"full_story":171,"author_id":158,"url_slug":172,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":160,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},78,"Baker to be Keynote Speaker at NC Agriculture and Biotechnology Summit","2014-09-25 14:17:00","\u003Cp> Versant's Dr. MeeCee Baker will be a keynote speaker at N.C. State's 2014 Agriculture and Biotechnology Summit in November. The two-day event will be held at the university's McKimmon Center November 18-19. Baker's will discuss "How We Can Advance Agriculture and Science: on the second day of the event. For more information go to: \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbiotech.org\u002Fcontent\u002Fagbiotech-summit-overview-0\">http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbiotech.org\u002Fcontent\u002Fagbiotech-summit-overview-0\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>","baker-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-nc-agriculture-and-biotechnology-summit",{"ID":174,"headline":175,"news_date":176,"full_story":177,"author_id":158,"url_slug":178,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":179,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},77,"Dr. Baker with a student intern at the National Agricultural And Alumni Association.","2014-06-18 22:40:00","\u003Cp>Dr. Baker with a student intern at the National Agricultural And Alumni Association.  Baker was the Bickford Lecturer for the event. For more information click \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fc.ymcdn.com\u002Fsites\u002Fwww.naada.org\u002Fresource\u002Fresmgr\u002FFiles\u002FNAADA-ConfReg2014.pdf\">here\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fnews_images\u002Fnews77_large.jpg\" style=\"width:70%\"\u002F>","dr-baker-with-a-student-intern-at-the-national-agricultural-and-alumni-association","2025-12-22 17:42:49",{"ID":181,"headline":182,"news_date":183,"full_story":184,"author_id":158,"url_slug":185,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":160,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},76,"Baker named 2013 Penn State Alumni Fellow","2013-10-16 10:37:00","\u003Cp>We at Versant are very proud of our collegue, Dr. MeeCee Baker, for being named a 2013 Penn State Alumni Fellow. Click the following links to see the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Falumni.psu.edu\u002Fawards\u002Findividual\u002Fafa\u002Fdocs\u002F2013-fellows\u002Fbaker\">press release\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=HV5crTIwlpQ\">acceptance speech\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","baker-named-2013-penn-state-alumni-fellow",{"ID":187,"headline":188,"news_date":189,"full_story":190,"author_id":158,"url_slug":191,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":192,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},75,"Baker gives commencement address","2013-06-05 14:06:00","\u003Cp>Dr. MeeCee Baker gives commencement address at the 2013 College of Agricultural Sciences spring graduation. Her daughter, Libby, closed the address by reciting the FFA Creed.\u003C\u002Fp> \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fnews_images\u002Fnews75_large.jpg\" style=\"width:70%\"\u002F>","baker-gives-commencement-address","2025-12-22 17:41:11",{"ID":194,"headline":195,"news_date":196,"full_story":197,"author_id":198,"url_slug":199,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":200,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},74,"Dr. MeeCee Baker holds luncheon with students","2012-12-02 20:54:00","\u003Cp>On Friday November 9, 2012, the Penn State Ag Alumni Society invited Dr. MeeCee Baker '82, '94 Ph.D. Ag Education and five students to speak on her career path and journey in agriculture.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>While studying at Penn State, Baker credits her professors encouraging her to pursue education to teach agriculture in the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fagsci.psu.edu\u002Falumni\u002Fnews\u002F2012\u002Fdr.-meecee-baker-held-luncheon-with-students\">Read the full article\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fnews_images\u002Fnews74_large.jpg\" style=\"width:70%\"\u002F>",9,"dr-meecee-baker-holds-luncheon-with-students","2025-12-22 17:42:05",{"ID":202,"headline":203,"news_date":204,"full_story":205,"author_id":198,"url_slug":206,"views":9,"active":11,"flag":12,"teaser":12,"last_modified":160,"sponsored":12,"image_caption":12},73,"MeeCee Baker represents central PA at the DNC","2012-09-06 10:43:00","\u003Cp> From \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.lewistownsentinel.com\u002Fpage\u002Fcontent.detail\u002Fid\u002F536251\u002FPort-Royal-delegate-honored-to-represent-area.html\">LewistownSentinel.com\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Democratic National Convention is set to wrap up today in Charlotte, N.C. after President Barack Obama accepts his party's nomination for re-election and one central Pennsylvania delegate is "honored" to be there.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>MeeCee Baker of Port Royal was asked earlier this summer to attend the convention, which she was thrilled to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>"It's very positive, there is a lot of energy. ... I'm just honored to represent rural Pennsylvania," Baker said.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker said Charlotte is a beautiful town and the "mood has been very positive" among those attending the convention.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker said San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro's Keynote speech Tuesday night was "especially inspiring," as well as Michelle Obama's speech, which Baker described as "passionate."\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>She is also looking forward to Vice President Joe Biden's speech as well as the president's speech tonight, she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker said she feels Pennsylvania will back Obama this year, just like in 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The Port Royal resident was recently asked the famous Ronald Reagan question "are you better off now than you were four years ago?" She said she thinks the whole country is better off.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker cites the withdraw of troops from Iraq and the dismantling of al-Qaida's hierarchy, including the death of Osama bin Laden, as evidence the security of the U.S. has taken a turn for the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>For Baker though, the Affordable Care Act really struck home for her and something she feels a lot of people don't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>The "key points" of what has been dubbed "Obamacare" are what Baker focuses on, especially the provision lifting the lifetime limit on insurance and the fact her daughter can stay on her insurance until she is 26 years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker said her daughter had to be air lifted to a hospital once and she also had her own health scare recently, both of which got her thinking "would I have to sell the farm?" to pay for medical bills.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>As a farmer, Baker said agricultural issues are especially important to her and she believes the president understands the importance of having strong agricultural communities.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker said she was especially pleased to hear that the president supports "crop insurance," an issue that is important to some farmers.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>Baker said that most of all, her trip to Charlotte has made her appreciate the country she lives in that much more.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\u003Cp>"I'm very grateful ... it's just an honor to be able to represent central Pennsylvania," Baker said.\u003C\u002Fp>","baker-represents-central-pa-at-the-democratic-national-convention",1775325119757]