RITA COOK
rmcook@iastate.edu
EDUCATION
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Year in School: Senior
Majors: Agricultural Business, Public Service and Administration in Agriculture, Economics
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Agricultural Finance and/or Consumer and Producer Education
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Accounting 284, 285; Management 370; Animal Science 101, 114; Finance 301; Ag Ed 315;
Economics 101, 102, 235, 301, 302, 460
WORK EXPERIENCE
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, West Des Moines, IA
Leadership Intern, January 2008 to December 2008
 Helped prepare materials and provided on-site assistance for the Ag Leaders Institute, Young
Farmer Conference, and County Presidents Conference
 Researched and prepared training materials for leadership training
 Promoted and organized Agriculture in the Classroom resources for Iowa teachers
Farmers Cooperative Company, Farnhamville, IA
FC 101 Intern, May 2007 to August 2007
 Experienced all aspects of a farmer-owner cooperative
 Spent time in the Agronomy, Agronomy Sales, Grain, Feed, and Administration Departments
 Completed a project on ethanol’s impact on Corn Supply, Corn Usage, Transportation, Storage,
and Grain Marketing
Western Edge, Ltd., Ames, IA
Part-time Sales Associate, October 2006 to February 2007
 Gained day-to-day experience with employee relations
 Stocked shelves and took inventory
 Performed cashier duties
Cook Family Farm, Hubbard, IA
 200 head farrow-to-finish operation, finishing approximately 1500 hogs per year
 80 head cow-calf operation
 1200 acres of corn and soybeans
 Raised and provided daily care for 4-H market hogs and market steers
 Established a horse training entrepreneurship as a joint 4-H and FFA Project
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
 Creating and managing a budget
 Facilitation skills
 Event planning
 Knowledge of pork industry
 Strategic planning
 Knowledge of equine industry
 Leadership development
ACTIVITIES
Iowa State University Agricultural Business Club
 Publicity Committee Co-Chair, 2007
 December Member of the Month, 2007
 Club Member, 2006-2009
Iowa State University Rodeo Club
 Senior Treasurer, 2008
 Junior Treasurer, 2007
 Club Member, 2006-2009
Agriculture Future of America (AFA)
 AFA Track 3 Delegate, 2008
 AFA Track 2 Delegate, 2007
 AFA Track 1 Delegate, 2006
 AFA Community Scholar, 2006
Other
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Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute Counselor,
2009
Tutor for Econ 101, Fin 301, Mgmt 370, Acct
284, Acct 285, 2009
Cyclone Stampede Rodeo Committee Chair,
2009
Cyclone Stampede Rodeo Committee
Treasurer, 2008
National Pork Board Operation Main Street
Speaker, 2007-2009
Iowa Pork Queen, 2007
Economics 101 Lab Teaching Assistant, 2007