Highlighting our graduate students . . .
Katie Leigh
Agricultural Communications
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Hard work and determination were not an option growing up on a ranch! Coming from a strong agricultural background, it was only natural for me to pursue a career in the agricultural industry while attending college. I received my undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University in College Station. It wasn't long before I couldn't wait to move to West Texas and start my Graduate program at Texas Tech. I am a Graduate Agricultural Communications major and couldn't be more proud to be a Red Raider! Water conservation has been and will be a pressing issue that West Texas will deal with for many years to come. The area for as long as can be remembered has been heavily inherited with farming and ranching. Recently more and more dairies moving into the area. These and many other facets of agriculture utilize large amounts of water and put a strain on the water supply in the southern region. My research project deals with water conservation in the area around Plainview and specifically to farmers on the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation Project Board of Directors. The goal of my study is to discover common themes and factors among farmers in their decision-making and knowledge process on water conservation and management in West Texas. This is in hopes that information will be shared with other farmers and agriculturists alike. This study is unique to West Texas as water resources here are being used up faster than they can be renewed. | |
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I work with the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation program in the Agricultural Communications department here at Texas Tech, and help with data collection, picture taking, and field days that help teach farmers about water conservation and management practices. My passion is to teach farmers about water conservation but to still maintain livelihood in farm communities and families. The goal of the project as well as my study is to maximize profit while conserving water. Agricultural communications has been and will always be my passion. Growing up in a ranching family I have always wanted to share knowledge and values of American agriculture to average people. This is a dynasty that feeds, clothes, and provides for so many people worldwide. |
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Along with my thesis and other research activities that keep me grounded in West Texas, I have also had two great opportunities within a year to travel out of the country. One was a week trip to central Mexico with a professor in my department. It was an amazing experience and touched me in several ways. The purpose of the trip was to visit agricultural industries in the area and talk with farmers and ranchers about their production systems and ways of farming. This was a great opportunity for me as this is what I am doing here in West Texas. I noticed that many of the farmers techniques and practices aren't that much different from farmers and ranchers here in Texas. The next experience was a trip to Costa Rica where I presented a poster in conjunction with some other graduate students. We also had the opportunity to interact with local agriculturists and understand that people around the world really aren't that different in the way they manage and make a living within the agricultural industry. My graduate experience at Texas Tech and within my department has been a one-of-a-kind opportunity. I wouldn't trade any experience I've had for anything. My future goals are to educate the common individual about the importance of agriculture within their everyday lives. Not only teach others but to help the agriculturists that make so many things possible have a voice. I hope to do this by gaining a job within the agricultural industry as a communications and public relations expert. |
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