My Ag [Comm] Story

People often pause after I tell them what I got a degree in.

Uh, what was that?

Yep, I graduated with an agricultural communications degree, and no that didn’t give me the ability to talk to plants or cows (I know Robert Downey Jr. is making a ton of money doing it in movies) but instead gave me the tools to reach both ag and non-ag audiences. My degree gives me a unique perspective because I can speak to both sides and provide a balanced perspective. Hailing from urban experience has given me the opportunity to be versed, and candidly, the credibility to be able to pitch and understand the average consumer’s mindset because I can see through both lenses.

Since declaring my major I’ve had the privilege to intern, freelance and work for some pretty top-notch ag (and equine) brands and organizations, and I’ve completely fallen in love with it.

So how did a girl from the suburbs of Kansas City end up with an agriculture degree? It started with horses.

Photo by Keely Ross

If you’re new to this blog, I’m a horse girl. I’ve been riding since I was 9 and haven’t looked back. Horses grew and developed my appreciation and respect for the western lifestyle, and all those who contribute to it.

My ag career kicked off with an email I received second semester freshman year. Let’s be frank, I didn’t know an agricultural communications degree was a thing, nor had I set foot in Ag Hall before. I had originally declared Graphic Design as my major and I just wasn’t loving my classes and wasn’t connecting with any of my classmates, or my adviser (this is the correct spelling for academic adviser, thanks AP Style!). Like for most freshman, my first semester was a learning curve learning how to balance time management, excess projects and gen eds. By the time I set foot back on campus for the spring semester, I was ready for all the promise a second semester would deliver, a second chance if you will.

Around this time my now-husband, Matt, finally started talking to me and we hit it off and began hanging out more. He was an Animal Science/Ag Business double major which sounds (and is) really cool. I never considered the option of an agricultural degree for myself, maybe an Equine Science degree, but even then I wasn’t sure where I could make money with that with my particular skill set, I’m a creative after all!

One day I got an email from the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership (and I’m convinced it was a true act of God), promoting the agricultural communications degree option and everything you can do with it. Options included working for a publication and graphic design. So like any Enneagram Type 2, I had to talk the options through with everyone, including my roommate, sorority sisters, parents and almost-boyfriend, Matt. Of course everyone was very supportive, I was already a horse girl and the fact that I’d rather spend my time in a barn than almost anywhere else made me a shoo-in.

After making an appointment and meeting with Dr. Shelly Sitton and was sold (this would not be the last of my anxiety-ridden office visits). The classes that I took throughout my remaining 3 and a half years included writing, layout and design, photography. I even had the opportunity to help found an agricultural advocacy club on campus with classmates during my junior and senior year.

Since walking across the stage at Gallagher-Iba Arena in the spring 2017 I’ve worked within an agency-type setting (I’ve even worked remotely!), and most recently have branched off to start my own biz, Caroline Arendt Creative LLC, which offers freelance writing, social media and web design services to agricultural clients. For past projects I’ve been involved with, check them out here.

I can proudly attribute to the skills I’ve used in my career thus far and connections I’ve made since to the education and networking at Oklahoma State University. It’s awesome, there are so many career options: photography, graphic design, writing and editing, broadcast journalism and more! You can find out more about the fabulous Oklahoma State University program and all the details here. The friends I made within my degree are definitely of the lifelong stock (and a good handful attended our wedding!).

This journey and getting to serve the agriculture industry are things I take immense pride in. Aiding by providing an online voice and showcasing the work for those who are working hard to keep feeding the world, from crop farmer to cattle rancher, it’s an honor.

Why am I sharing this? Because your ag story matters. Whether it be sharing the day-to-day, the behind the scenes or in fact telling a story, whatever it may be, it’s important and applicable. Authenticity continues to trend up for social media and blogs, why not share your side of the story? Delivering relevant, authoritative content is part of content marketing 101, and who better to do so than the producer/expert themselves? Coming from a city girl turned agvocate, don’t be afraid to share your story. People want to hear it, and there are plenty of people out there to help you get started. Like I said, people want to hear your story.

Do you have an ag-related degree or are you another ag comm grad? I’d love to meet you and nurture our passion for all things ag!

Xx Caroline