Rooted in passion
Bryce Bennett, a 2024 agriscience education graduate from Washington Courthouse, Ohio. By Tracy Turner
As the academic year concludes, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is abuzz with the excitement of the graduation of some 485 students, which includes 390 bachelor’s degrees and 102 associate degrees. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements and reflect on the personal growth of students who are about to step into the world as the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Bryce Bennett, a 2024 agriscience education graduate, is one such student whose journey at the CFAES Wooster campus has been a transformative experience.
“I never imagined the adventure I’ve been through,” said Bennett, who is from Washington Courthouse, Ohio.
Initially disheartened at not being placed at Ohio State’s Columbus campus, he said he now views his time at the CFAES Wooster campus as a blessing.
“It’s here that I found my true calling in agricultural education,” Bennett said. “I’m grateful for the sense of community and the opportunities that shaped my professional path.
Morgan Meyer, a 2024 graduate from Ana, Ohio“Attending CFAES Wooster has been an opportunity that I would not have traded for the world. The sense of community that I have felt since day one has not changed all the way through. Between the students, faculty, and staff, I have not once felt alone or lost, and I could not be more thankful for all of those that have been there on my journey through these first two years of school. I could not be more excited to see where life is going to take all of us in the coming years.”
Bennett’s story is not unique. Many students like him have found their passion and purpose within CFAES.
Morgan Meyer, a 2024 graduate from Ana, Ohio, with a degree in agribusiness and applied economics with a minor in agricultural communication, reminisces about her time at CFAES.
“When I graduated high school, everyone said, ‘Enjoy it. The four years go fast,’” Meyer said. “However, what they didn’t tell me about is all the opportunities and experiences that you have within that time. CFAES and Ohio State as a whole offer so many opportunities that allow everyone to pursue their passion.
“CFAES and Ohio State as a whole offer so many opportunities that allow everyone to pursue their passion”Morgan Meyer
“From attending conferences and seminars, studying abroad, leadership trainings, extracurricular events, and club trips, I was able to travel all over, make lasting memories, challenge myself to grow, and build strong friendships with many.”
These students represent the essence of CFAES: to foster an environment where passion for food, agricultural, and environmental sciences can flourish into expertise. As they leave CFAES as graduates, they carry with them not just academic knowledge but also the practical experiences and personal growth that define their time at the university.
Bennett said he looks forward to continuing his education at CFAES in Columbus, aspiring to become an agriculture teacher, while Meyer said she is poised to leverage her education into a successful career in agribusiness as a financial relationship specialist at Farm Credit Mid-America.
Their stories are a testament to the impact of CFAES on its students, nurturing them to become professionals who will contribute meaningfully to the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences sector.
