High School Students Discover the Forest

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Laura Kenefic and Jane Hodgins, Northern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, on September 17, 2013 at 10:15 AM

In July, 19 students from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island participated in the week-long “Discover the Forest” camp, the first forestry camp for high school students at the University of Maine.

When you invite high school students into the woods, you set the stage for wonder, excitement and endless questions.

Organizers for “Discover the Forest,” a new venture sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Maine, also hope that, in addition to learning about the forest, participants will discover career opportunities and set the stage for a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the future.

In July, 19 students from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island participated in the week-long “Discover the Forest” camp, the first forestry camp for high school students at the University of Maine. The camp was organized and hosted by the university’s School of Forest Resources with funding provided by the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station. Participants came from diverse backgrounds and places, including young women and minorities traditionally underrepresented in forestry, as well as those from rural and urban communities.

Thunderstorms knocked out power at the Tanglewood 4-H camp in Lincolnville, Maine, the day before camp was to begin, prompting University of Maine faculty and staff to quickly relocate the camp to the university campus. The new location gave students on-site access to the University Forest, Perch Pond and the Orono Bog Boardwalk. Northern Research Station scientists, faculty and a number of graduate students joined campers during the day for lessons and activities related to forest inventory, interpretative signs, recreation management, fish sampling, forest operations and forest management planning.

The students enjoyed evening campfires, swimming, nature walks and opportunities to talk to natural resources experts.

The students peppered their hosts with many thoughtful questions. They wanted to know what it means to be a wildlife manager, what a forester does on an average day, and how camp instructors became interested in their field of study.

“I think the most constructive things I learned at camp were how to identify trees, how to estimate a distance by counting my paces and the importance of the forest to streams and rivers,” said Discover the Forest camper Christopher Wilson of Hartland, Maine. “Everything we learned was interesting.”

From an Idaho Youth Loan to National Youth Leader

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Candy Moore, Idaho Public Affairs/Outreach Coordinator, on August 26, 2013 at 11:40 AM

Shane Kerner used an FSA Rural Youth Loan to purchase cattle, including her ‘best show’ heifer shown here. From that point, she built a thriving commercial herd.

Shane Kerner applied for her first USDA Farm Service Agency Rural Youth Loan at age 14. Now, at age 20, she not only reached adulthood, but financial independence to grow what was once a 4-H project into a thriving cattle operation.

“I never thought I would get as far as I am today with my cattle,” said Shane. “It is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to start at a young age and see the growth of your animals from seed stock to a small commercial herd, right outside your door.”

Shane refers to her operation as a passion for finding the highest genetics for breeding Angus cattle. With the proceeds from the sale of seven grass-fed calves she purchased with the youth loan, she bought more cattle, including her best show heifer. This started the foundation for growing a registered Angus herd.

“To be successful in the cattle business, I must carefully breed the highest genetics to result in powerful offspring. That guarantees improvement in the commercial herd and builds reputation in the registered business as well,” said Shane.

Growing her business also involved expanding her herd, which she did by graduating from the youth loan to an FSA Microloan that she was able to secure on her own merits.

“Being able to receive the microloan on my own really made me step back and realize how much I have gained from this experience, personally and professionally,” said Shane.

Shane sells to ranchers mostly in her area and she has built a good reputation with her registered Angus herd, which helps her get a higher price for the bulls. Even her father purchased a yearling for his own commercial stock because he liked the lines and physical features.

Growing up on her parent’s ranch in Weiser, Idaho, has increased her knowledge of the industry and taught Shane the cattle business from the ground up. By the age of 8 she started checking and gathering cattle with her father and eventually began riding pens not long after.

It was that knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit that got Shane elected to the National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors, where she will help other young people who share her passion for Angus cattle. She also plans on learning more about business and marketing when she attends Kansas State University.

“FSA is very pleased that we were able to provide a solid beginning to a great future career for Shane,” said Kim Royer, Washington County FSA Executive Director.

Her success and positive experiences with FSA led Shane’s younger sister Dana and her little brother Sam, to apply for FSA Youth Loans as well.

“The Farm Loan staff made the experience an extremely positive one for the kids,” said Shane’s mother Julie Kerner. “Staff members were informative and helped each one understand how the entire process worked.”