CANR undergrad experience helps student find passion in agriculture and food, outreach education
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EmailCrop and Soil Sciences senior Rachel Drobnak plans to pursue career path in MSU Extension after learning importance of agriculture to food systems.
Rachel Drobnak, of Olmsted Township, Ohio, is a Michigan State University (MSU) Crop and Soil Sciences major in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM) with minors in Spanish and environmental studies and sustainability.
The Crop and Soil Sciences major prepares crop, soil and turfgrass scientists and environmentalists to apply scientific principles of crop and soil management for careers in agriculture, agribusiness, turfgrass management, government agencies and related areas. Plant, soil and microbial scientists seek solutions related to world hunger, soil remediation, the effects of climate change on crops, water quality, plant diseases and much more.
“I chose to come to MSU, coming out-of-state, because it was affordable through the Ohio Spartan Grant and other scholarships, and I liked the welcoming, community-feeling environment the campus had," Drobnak said.
"I loved that there are many opportunities outside of the classroom here: undergraduate research, internships, community engagement, study abroad and more.”
She added, “I came into college as an exploratory CANR major but chose crop and soil sciences (CSS) because I was interested in understanding food systems and enjoyed being outside…In my opinion, agriculture connects to many social and environmental inequities, and it’s exciting to be able to face these challenges and make the world a better place.”
Her favorite experiences have been her internships. She served as a farm intern at Hallstedt Homestead Cherries in Leelanau County and as a Sustainable Agriculture intern with Kalamazoo County MSU Extension.
"Both experiences helped me understand what challenges farmers are facing, what MSU Extension and other services do to support farmers, and how there are tons of amazing research projects occurring at MSU to improve agriculture, both for farmers and the environment," she said.
Drobnak is a member of the Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment (RISE), MSU Agronomy Club, the PSM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and is a student associate at University Lutheran Church. She has served as a professorial assistant under Dr. Krista Isaacs and is a carillonist at Beaumont Tower.
Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in agriculture or a related field. She would like to develop her research and outreach skills during graduate school, focusing on agroecology, cropping system management and soil health. Long-term, her goal is to become an Extension educator or outreach specialist and assist farmers in their needs as well as disseminate research and educate others.
Drobnak is one of the 2022 CANR Alumni Association Scholarship recipients.
Name: Rachel Drobnak
Hometown: Olmsted Township, Ohio (west side of Cleveland)
Major/Concentration: Crop and Soil Sciences, B.S., with a concentration in advanced studies. Dual minors in Spanish and environmental studies and sustainability.
Expected graduation date: May 2023
Why did you choose your major and why MSU?
I chose to come to MSU, coming out-of-state, because it was affordable (through the OH Spartan Grant and other scholarships) for me, and I liked the welcoming, community-feeling environment the campus had. I loved that there are many opportunities outside of the classroom here: undergraduate research, internships, community engagement, study abroad and more. As a bonus, the campus is beautiful all year long!
I came into college as an exploratory CANR major but chose CSS because I was interested in understanding food systems and enjoyed being outside. To be honest, I had no idea what agriculture was really like until I started college! After my first semester, I learned I really loved the industry and opportunities because it is so different from anything I learned in school, yet so important. In my opinion, agriculture connects to many social and environmental inequities, and it’s exciting to be able to face these challenges and make the world a better place.
Who or what inspired your interest in the major you selected?
I am a non-traditional agriculture student: my school didn’t have FFA, I grew up in a suburban area, and there was no mentor who inspired me to choose this path. Instead, I found that my combined lifestyle and interests in the environment, growing food, helping people, educating others and being curious inspired my interest in agronomy.
What has been one of your best experiences within your major so far?
My internships have been my favorite experiences, both as a farm intern at Hallstedt Homestead Cherries (Leelanau County) and as a Sustainable Agriculture Intern with MSU Extension (Kalamazoo County). Both experiences helped me understand what challenges farmers are facing, what MSU Extension and other services do to support farmers, and how there are tons of amazing research projects occurring at MSU to improve agriculture, both for farmers and the environment.
What do you want others to know about this major?
There are innumerable opportunities in agronomy, whether you are interested in selling seeds, breeding more resilient corn, understanding soil microorganisms, starting a community garden and more. I love CSS most because every subject plays an important role in agronomy: biology, ecology, business, social science, statistics and more. Crop and Soil Science may seem like a place only fit for those who grew up on a farm or are experts in plants. In my opinion, however, we need people who know they have a lot to learn; folks who are motivated, ambitious and curious about the way our food system works.
What are some of the best things about being an MSU student?
I love when I meet students from different backgrounds, identities and experiences as me and we find out we have similar interests and goals in life. It makes me excited to be in my field when I have deep conversations with my peers about cover crops, the industry or our plans for the future.
Any thoughts or advice for current or new students?
One of the best pieces of career-planning advice I have learned is that your ideal career is the intersection of three pieces: (1) what you enjoy doing/learning about, (2) what skills and abilities you have and (3) what lifestyle you want. I’ve found this helpful in imagining possible career options for myself.
What are your future plans?
I plan to attend graduate school to earn my M.S. in agriculture or a related field after graduating. I want to develop my research and outreach skills during graduate school, focusing on agroecology, cropping system management and soil health. My long-term goal is to become an Extension educator or outreach specialist and assist farmers in their needs, as well as disseminate research and educate others.
