Resume
Agriculture has a great story to tell, and I am honored to write about it. Our farmers are the greatest stewards of the land, and the entire ag industry works to provide commodities that fuel our nation, ensure food security, and meet the consumer market demand.
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Any opportunity to get in the field is a blessing, and I adore the chance to network and meet new folks across the industry.
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Photos by Whitney Shannon Haigwood
Professional Experience
Staff Writer, Delta Farm Press
September 2022 - present
Farm Progress, Informa Markets
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Write short and long copy to deliver relevant content to our readership.
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Responsible for ag industry networking and interviewing for story coverage, in addition to photography to publish with copy.
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Attend an array of regional conferences and field days for event coverage and content ideas. Arrange interviews with farmers to develop story features of their operations.
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2 years experience in actively collaborating with colleagues on the Farm Press social media team, with quantifiable success verified through increased engagement, reach, and followers.
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Attend weekly editorial meetings and roundtables to connect with colleagues and generate content.
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Complete continued education hours, through internal learning opportunities and LinkedIn Learning courses, to enhance skill set.
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Experience with content management system to publish edited stories and photos to the Farm Progress website.
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Trade show event coverage including the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.
Technical and Social Media Writer
October 2021 - September 2022
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension Service
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Responsible for web content and social media contributions to serve faculty and stakeholders of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the Division of Agriculture.
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Structured and updated ANR webpages, managed the Arkansas Row Crops blog, transcribed and published podcasts for the Arkansas Row Crops Radio, and developed and managed the Arkansas Ag and Natural Resources blog.
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Worked closely with research faculty to ensure content accuracy.
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Responsible for weekly newsletters via Constant Contact to update stakeholders and clientele with timely information.
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Also managed the Arkansas Row Crops social media and posted coverage from conferences and Extension events.
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Experienced in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to keep content compliant, and assisted with internal training to help faculty and staff understand and follow web accessibility requirements.
Seasonal Assistant II, Cotton Agronomy May 2019 - October 2021
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension Service
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Served as assistant to the Extension cotton agronomist.
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Utilized organizational skills for general office management. Responsible for professional communication, data entry and analysis for research projects, formatting and editing research-based papers and posters for web publish and display.
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Assisted with cotton research highly focused on sustainability and soil health.
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Assisted in grant budget management, expense logs, and salary distribution for the Extension cotton program.
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Developed web accessible content for the Division website.
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Managed the Arkansas Soil Health social media accounts, Facebook and Twitter, to share cotton research updates and promote sustainable crop production.
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Attended conferences and field days, and captured photos of research projects throughout the growing season to be used in social media posts, graphics, and presentations.
Mid-Level Math and Science Teacher
January 2007 - June 2011
Jackson County School District, Tuckerman, Arkansas
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Fulfilled all tasks and duties as a classroom teacher in the content areas of 4th grade science, 8th grade math and pre-algebra, and 4th grade math (respectively).
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Developed and executed lesson plans aligned with Arkansas Department of Education standards.
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Achieved state-level end of course testing results at 70-80% combined advanced and proficient scores.
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Maintained grading, reporting, documentation, and student progress meetings.
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Collaborated with administrators and colleagues, and completed professional development requirements for licensure.
Ag Financial Services Specialist
August 2004 - October 2006
AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Newport, Arkansas
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Daily application of communication skills by phone, email, and in-person with customers, colleagues, and company executives.
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Tended to general office responsibilities, mail collection, and customer farm equipment reconciliation.
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Posted customer payments, withdrawals, and made deposits to customer bank accounts. Compiled and delivered daily bank deposits for the Branch Office.
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Fluent use of Microsoft Office products to carry out assignments.
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Searched records at the Jackson County courthouse for information on customer liens and property descriptions.
Education
Arkansas State University, 12 hours in Digital Innovation/Graphic Communication
2021-2022 | GPA 4.0 in coursework | Primary focus: Adobe Creative Suite
Arkansas State University, Bachelor of Science Mid-Level Education, Math and Science
2004-2006 | GPA 3.862
ASU Newport, Associate of Arts, Education
2003-2005 | GPA 3.372
Lyon College, Pre-Med and Biology coursework
2001-2003 | GPA 3.365
Newport High School, National Honor Society, Valedictorian
2001 graduate | GPA 4.0
Specializations
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Developing and editing short and long copy
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Social media management and analytics
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Microsoft o365 applications
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Adobe products including Photoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator
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Canva, Grammarly, Bitly
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Content Management Systems for web publishing
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Photography
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Constant Contact
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Writing and formatting for SEO
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Microsoft Teams, ZOOM, and Rev Recorder for interview purposes
Awards and Memberships
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Ag Communicators Network, 2023 - present
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Women in Agribusiness, 2023 - present
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Philanthropic Educational Organization, P.E.O. Chapter R, 2020 - present
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Newport Newcomers Club, 2018-2022
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Village Creek Golf Club, Executive Board Member, 2021-2023
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Jackson County Junior Auxiliary, 2007-2010 | Vice President 2009, President 2010
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Newport New Vision Leadership Training, 2009-2010
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Arkansas Dept. of Education, Smart Step Literacy Lab, 2007-2009