It’s with mixed emotion that I write to tell you I will be leaving my position with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County on December 5th, 2014. For the past two and a half years I have enjoyed working in this county and the surrounding area helping producers and providing education in the areas of Livestock and Field Crop Production. It has been an AMAZING journey, in which I have grown personally and professionally, learned more than I thought possible, and made lifelong connections and memories.
I distinctly remember writing an article when I first started here in the spring of 2012. It was a way for me to introduce myself to the agriculture community and tell them a little about my background. I spent hours writing an article, but then decided I didn’t like it and deleted the whole thing. Starting fresh and with a ton of revisions I finally had an article I was happy with and it went in the local paper. In the beginning it was so difficult for me, I was nervous about starting in a new area of the state I was unfamiliar with. I was nervous about the responsibility of providing education to the area’s farmers. I was nervous about how much I knew (or didn’t know) and how I would ever be able to teach farmers with a great deal of experience anything new.
Since that spring when I first started, I have had the privilege of working with some amazing fellow Educators and local farmers. I soon realized, there was nothing to be nervous about and my confidence grew. I had a great support system that welcomed me with open arms. The local farmers were inviting and made me feel at home in no time, teaching me just as much as I was able to teach them. During this time my views and values evolved, I learned what was most important to our local community and did my best to provide educational opportunities they would find valuable.
During this time I was able to connect with other Educators, agency professionals, and farmers from across the state. Some of these individuals made such an impact on my life and on me professionally that I know I will carry the lessons learned and memories with me forever. I can’t imagine a more wonderful, giving, caring, and selfless group of people anywhere in the world. The people I work with are here because each and every one of them exudes those traits and have a passion for their field of study that is unsurpassed. They give their time, expertise, advice, and anything they can unabashedly.
I will be moving on to work with the Farm Service Agency in the Schoharie Office as a Farm Loan Officer Trainee. This is an opportunity that excites me, but while I look forward to this new chapter in my life, I can’t help but have some sadness with this change. I have been truly blessed during this time with so many colleagues and farmers that I have grown to love and respect. I know that I will cultivate new relationships and will continue to support agriculture in a different way, but my time here at Cornell Cooperative Extension will always be close to my heart. I appreciate each and every one of you that I have worked with over these past couple years and I sincerely hope that our paths cross again in the future!
Ashley Pierce
