UGA Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication

Mary Logan Tostenson is no stranger to the ALEC Department and has been a vital role to the success of this team for many years! In the beginning of her time with us, she worked alongside Dr. Barry Croom and Dr. Ashley Yopp as an undergraduate research assistant in the STEM Research and Development Lab conducting research in curriculum development and the role of women in agriculture. After her transfer from Tifton to Athens, she stuck around and continues to serve in Four To...wers as an undergraduate student assistant! Working in the ALEC Department is just the beginning of Mary Logan’s involvement within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She is an Agriscience and Environmental Systems major with a minor in Agribusiness, a CAES Ambassador, serves on the UGA Young Farmers and Ranchers Executive Committee and was a founding member of this club in 2019, and is a member of Block and Bridle. Mary Logan will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May of 2021 and has started working on her Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management through the DoubleDawg program. One of her most recent and impressive accomplishments is completing an internship with Corteva Agriscience, the largest U.S. owned agriculture company. This summer, Mary Logan worked as a Crop Protection Commercial Sales intern in the Southeast to gain a deeper understanding of the agriculture profession and agronomic knowledge that will help propel her future. She spent her time working with farmers, agronomists, sales representatives, and extension personnel to successfully complete a project charter geared towards corn, cotton, and peanuts. This student assistant never misses a chance to smile or make the ALEC employees, students, and visitors feel anything less than welcome! Because of her infectious positive attitude and desire to connect with students, faculty, and staff, we encourage y’all to stop by and say hey to Mary Logan!

Dr. Abigail Borron, better known as Dr. B., is this month’s faculty spotlight! Dr. Borron is an Agricultural Communications professor here in the ALEC Department and her dedication to her family, work, and students is inspiring. Read below to get to know some fun facts about our very own Dr. B! What made you fall in love with the agricultural industry? The amazing science associated with it, and yet how it represents the original community and way of life. ... When did you decide you wanted to be a professor? When I finished my masters degree and my advisor told me I should seriously consider going on to get my PhD and fully jump into teaching and research. What is your favorite way to spend a weekend? Sleeping in and drinking coffee, doing yard work. If you could change your name, what would you change it too? Well, when I was 8 I desperately wanted to change my name to Diana because I loved Wonder Woman (the one played by Lynda Carter). What is the best advice you have ever been given? If you’re worried you’re not going to do well, then you’ve got the passion to excel. See more

Students, it is never to early to start thinking about spring semester registration. Be on the lookout for emails from your amazing advisors to schedule a meeting with them and discuss your plans. Mrs. Formo (pictured) is an advisor for the students in the ALEC Department. She is excited to help you plan your courses and show you all the fun and exciting classes ALEC offers!

Today is our first seminar of Fall 2020. Join us on Zoom at 3:45 this afternoon to hear from Dr. Todd Callaway who will share some updates and insights on the COVID-19 situation. https://zoom.us/j/4076310119

Welcome back smartALEC’s! It’s the first full week of classes and we have been preparing Four Towers for your arrival. Please remember to maintain social distancing and wear a face covering to help keep each other safe on and off campus. @ UGA CAES Alumni Association

Attention all AgDawgs! A new school year means new bulldog gear...so come down to Four Towers this Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am-6pm for the first ever Grab n’ Go AgDawg Kick-Off! You’ll get some fresh bulldog swag and sweet treats too.

How can we best educate about innovation in the turf industry? ALEC faculty are researching the best methods with the help of undergrad research assistant and Agribusiness major Edy Copeland. Read the feature in our Spring 2020 newsletter: https://t.uga.edu/6ac

We're so proud of UGA Tifton alumna, Sarah Mastrario Cook!

Today is the day! Join us at 3:00 p.m. EST for CAES Chats with Ranger Nick about Teaching with Animals A Zoom link was include with the CAES Alumni Newsletter that hit inboxes this morning. If you did not receive the link send us a direct message or comment below.

Ranger Nick is back! And this time he's chatting with University of Georgia Griffin Campus entomologist Dr. Dan Suiter about termites and the work UGA Extension does to educate pest control specialists. Learn more about how to protect your home from potential damage in this month's segment.

Want to be like Ag Comm alumnus Brad Hardy? Help welcome CAES students back to school with a different version of Ag Dawg Kickoff this year! Click to see the original post details on how your gift will provide a T-shirt for both a current student and yourself!

We're grateful for all that our friends in the CAES Office of Academic Affairs have been doing to serve our students during this time off campus!

Congratulations to ALEC alumnus Matthew Wilson (Ag Comm '06) on being named a member of the 2020 Class of UGA 40 Under 40!

Calling all current or aspiring agricultural education teachers, extension educators, communications specialists and leadership facilitators! Take the next step in your career by pursuing your master's degree with ALEC. We offer flexible options for students on campus or online with thesis and non-thesis options. Learn more about pursuing your MAEE today at https://alec.caes.uga.edu/graduate/programs/MAEE.html