SARA KITCHEN
100-2 East Cherry Lane | State College, PA 16803
sjk5350@psu.edu | sarajanepsu@gmail.com | (570) 441-1973
SKILLS PROFILE:
- Knowledge and understanding of dairy farm management
- Advanced communications skills
- Ambitious and professional agricultural advocate
- Excellent writing and editing abilities
- Vast experience in social media development and implementation
- Organized and attentive to detail
- Familiar with Associated Press Style writing used in Press Releases
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
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EDUCATION:
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park Campus
Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science, Minor in Agricultural Communications
May 2015
GPA: 3.2
Relevant Classwork
Agricultural Communications 462W: Advanced Agricultural Writing
Communication Arts and Sciences 100: Principles of Communication
Animal Science 310: Dairy Cattle Production and Management
Animal Science 422: Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Selection
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COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT:
Progressive Dairyman Magazine, Freelance Journalist
October 2012-Present
Jerome, Idaho
 Interview farmers and industry professionals to write articles that benefit the ag community
 Attend conferences and programs that discuss dairy herd management
 Interpret and dissect in-depth scientific studies and presentations
 Deliver important information to producers
Center for Professional Personnel Development
Fall 2013-Present
Nation-wide, PA Department of Education and Penn State University
 Expand curriculum offered through Center for Dairy Excellence’s Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program
 Monitor teacher participation and classroom attendance
 Interact with the 500 teachers and students enrolled in the program
 Develop and implement social media plans to promote the program and encourage industry involvement
Center for Dairy Excellence, Communications Intern
Summer 2013
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
 Strengthened my writing and communications skills through journalist work
 Developed and compiled a toolkit for community outreach events
 Captured video footage and still shots for various projects
 Organized open house events to showcase progressive facilities
 Connected with farmers to help improve their operations through industry resources
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INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE:
Kitchen-Vue Dairy Farm
Danville, Pennsylvania
 Feed and monitor calves from birth to 10 months
 Register cattle with breed organizations
 Advertise and promote herd genetics
 Experience in raising swine and lambs for 4-H projects
2002-Present
All American Dairy Shows and Premier National Junior Show
2012-Present
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
 Officiate animal check in
 Organize junior events and activities
 Writer for the Past Premier Showcase that featured junior members and their accomplishments
 Editor, writer and photographer for the Barn Grazer Newsletter
 Interact with industry professionals to encourage support of the show and the junior members
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ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association and Holstein USA
2003-Present
 Pennsylvania Jr. Advisory Committee: Secretary, Treasurer and Scrapbook Chair
 Social Media Chairperson and Facebook Manager
 Developed a video presentation that represented Pennsylvania’s 1,600 Jr. Holstein members
 Apparel Organizer
 Past Junior Judging School Student
 Exhibitor at Pennsylvania’s Spring, Fall and Regional Championship Shows
- Junior All Pennsylvania Spring Yearling and Aged Cow
2012
- All Pennsylvania Reserve Aged Cow
2012
- All Pennsylvania Dam and Daughter
2012
Penn State Dairy Science Club
2011-Present
 Active member, current position on the Executive Board
 Social Media and Communications Chairperson
 Interact with producers and breeders to gather selections for the Nittany Lion Fall Classic
 Traveled to California to visit progressive, commercial dairy operations
 Traveled to Ireland to visit grazing herds and experience the different feeding operations, milking
facilities, management styles and industry economics
Alpha Zeta Fraternity – Honorary, Professional, Co-Ed, Agricultural Fraternity
2012-Present
 Active Sister, House Caterer and Cook
 National Membership Recipient
 Rush Chairmen: Monitor social media to encourage interest in the fraternity
 Community service involvement, highway clean up and philanthropy to benefit pediatric cancer research
North-Mont 4-H Dairy Club
 Past Club President, Secretary, Treasurer and Scrapbook Chairperson
Current activities leader and consumer education spokesperson
Follmer Lutheran Church
 Youth Group Member: Past President
 Special Music Vocalist
2005-2012
2005-Present
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Youth Program Coordinator
Community service involvement, Toys for Tots Initiative and 30 Hour Famine Participant
AWARDS AND HONORS:
Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association
2003-Present
 Prepared Public Speaking Contest
2005-2014
- Researched and prepared nine different speeches ranging from various topics in the dairy
industry
- Received high honors in the top three for five speeches and went on to represent
Pennsylvania at the National Contest
 Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition – Junior and Senior Team Competitor
2005-2014
- Two Time State Champion Senior Team
2013-2014
 Essay Contest – Received high honors in the top three numerous times
2009-2014
 Folding Display Contest
2004-2013
- Researched and created five folding displays on topics relating to dairy products and
advocating the dairy industry to consumer bases
- Received winning recognition on three displays
- “The Wonderful World of Bovine By-Products”
- “Get Your 3-A-Day”
- “Chocolate Milk – Creamy and Delicious”
 State Wide Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalist
2010
 State Wide Junior Distinguished Junior Member Finalist
2007
Holstein Association USA ~ National Junior Holstein Involvement
2003-Present
 Prepared Public Speaking Contest
- Senior Division Contestant: “Innovation, Marketing and Communication: Labeling”
2014
- Senior Division Contestant: “Sharing My Story”
2012
- Intermediate Division Contestant: “Melamine – A Deadly Killer”
2009
- Junior Division ~ 3rd place: “Butter Makes You Fat??!”
2006
- Junior Division Contestant: “BSE: Breaded Shrimp and Escargot”
2005
 Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition – Senior Division Competitor
2013-2014
 State Scrapbook Contest – Coordinated and Assembled ~ 5th place
2013
 National Junior Forum Delegate
2008-2013
 National Junior Holstein Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalist
2010
 Folding Display Contest
- Intermediate Division ~ Winner: “Chocolate Milk – Creamy and Delicious”
2010
 Dairy Jeopardy Contest, Junior Division Competitor
2007
4-H and Local Community Awards and Honors
 Supreme Showmanship Exhibitor at the Montour Delong Community Fair
2012
st
- Dairy Heifer Showmanship – 1 Overall
- Market Steer Showmanship – 1st Overall
- Market Lamb Showmanship – 1st Overall
- Market Goat Showmanship – 3rd Overall
 Consumer Education Display
2006-2012
- Received honors for creating a livestock and/or dairy focused display that
incorporated hot topics in the industry and captured fair-goers attention and interests
 Tri-County Area Farm Bureau
2013
- Featured as a Penn State Ag Student Writer to share my passion with
non-farming readers
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