Macy Cook

As I completed the third week of my internship, I found that I have heavily relied on our Career Readiness Theme of “Communication” throughout my first three weeks. The greatest need for communication during this internship has been communication among my three mentors. Being based in three offices, each with different tasks, it has been essential that I communicate with my mentors about which tasks need to be prioritized and which location I need to be at each day. Because of the various tasks I am completing, there cannot be a set location schedule for each week, so communication is vital to ensure I am at the correct office to complete the necessary tasks for each day. Communication with my mentors has included both orally and through email, text messages, and shared google docs.

This week presented me with several networking opportunities as I attended the MACAA (Maryland Association of County Agricultural Agents) tour and the Talbot EAC (Extension Advisory Committee) meeting. At the Talbot EAC meeting, updates were given on the University of Maryland Extension as well as Talbot County Extension and the various program areas. Attending the MACAA tour on Wednesday was the highlight of my week as I got to travel, tour various farm operations, and network with my fellow interns, local producers, and University of Maryland staff. The MACAA tour included six farms of various operations, including meat processing, fruit and vegetable, beef, equine, grain, and lavender. My favorite stop on the tour was Willow Oaks Horse Farm. This equine farm has breathtaking landscape, and I really enjoyed the chance to interact with the horses. This day was also the first time I met many of my fellow interns in person. Speaking with these interns as well as staff from the University of Maryland gave me an additional opportunity to employ my communication skills.

Aside from these networking opportunities, I also completed various tasks in the office and at LESREC (Lower Eastern Shore Research and Education Center). On Monday and Thursday, I traveled to LESREC to check on the kale plants for our kale insect study and pick and weigh blueberries for a variety trial. On Thursday, I was pleased to find that many of our kale plants that had been bitten off earlier in the week were now thriving with growing leaves. My office time at Dorchester County consisted of participating in our weekly intern zoom and sorting demographics for event reports. With my busy schedule this week, I was unable to go to the Queen Anne’s County office, so I worked on the curriculum for Agriculture Awareness Day while I was at the Dorchester office. I spent some time familiarizing myself with curriculum templates and UMD publications while revising the formal outline for the curriculum. In addition to attending the Talbot EAC Meeting, my time in the Talbot County office was spent completing the organization of the 4-H Horse Bowl materials, familiarizing myself with the Beginning Farmer Guidebook class and Teachable platform, and working on promotional materials for the county fair in July.

On Saturday, I worked the UME Master Gardener booth at the Smokey Cat Lavender Festival. This allowed me yet another opportunity to employ my communication skills through community interaction and informing the public about University of Maryland Extension and the UME Master Gardener program. Overall, week three has been my favorite internship week thus far as I have gotten to travel to various farms and meet many of my fellow interns. I am looking forward to the coming weeks of learning and growing through this internship and the guidance of my mentors.