Jennifer Edwards: Determined to Make the Most of Her Opportunities
By: Leigh Stribling, Ag Illustrated Associate Editor
One of Jennifer Edwards' earliest memories is of visiting her grandfather's farm near her home in Gadsden. Specifically she recalls his watermelon patch.
"This is my favorite memory," comments Edwards without hesitation. "I was only about 4 or 5 years old, so I couldn't pick up a watermelon, but I would roll it from his garden to the front yard. I was determined because I liked eating watermelon so much."
Although many years have passed since then, Jennifer Edwards has not lost her taste for agriculture or her determination to make the most of her opportunities.
As a student at Gaston High School, Edwards became involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA). It was in FFA that she met Auburn University's Ag Ambassadors and learned about Auburn University's College of Agriculture.
"I enjoyed ag so much from FFA that I knew I wanted to pursue something in that field," says Edwards. "The Ag Ambassadors let me know that Auburn had a great College of Agriculture."
In 1998, Edwards enrolled in Auburn's College of Agriculture, and in August 2003, she graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. Edwards served as graduation marshal for the college, carrying the CoAg banner in the entrance processional.
"Marshals are selected for high academic achievement as well as their activities and contributions to the college," said Associate Dean Bill Alverson. "Jennifer is an outstanding person in all those areas."
During her years in the college, Edwards made the most of the opportunities available, earning the Etowah County and the Alabama State Farmers Federation scholarships and the Lowell Wilson scholarship, which is awarded for academic excellence.
Edwards also represented the college as its senator in the Student Government Association, served as an Ag Ambassador and was a member of the Ag Econ Club. She was a Dunkin' Darling her first two years at Auburn.
As an Ag Ambassador, Edwards helped to spread the word about how great Auburn's College of Agriculture is. Her favorite activity as an Ag Ambassador was the trip to Moultrie, Ga., every year to represent the college at the Sun Belt Agricultural Expo.
"There are a lot of students from other states who are very interested in Auburn's agricultural program. And it's also just exciting to see all the different aspects of agriculture that are at the Expo," relays Edwards.
Before graduation, Edwards also availed herself of the college's internship program, working first as a sales representative for Aventis CropScience and later for Bayer CropScience. She was offered a third internship, also in sales, and most recently a fourth with the White House liaison office for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). That office is responsible for making appointments for positions in the USDA and hiring people to fill those positions.
Edwards garnered this offer through her acquaintance with Ann Veneman, the secretary of agriculture. As national secretary of the FFA during 2000-2001, Edwards had the opportunity to meet Veneman several times.
One of Edwards' most interesting experiences as national secretary occurred when she briefed President Bush before he spoke to an FFA group meeting in Washington, D.C.
"FFA is very well known in Texas and as the former governor of that state, President Bush wanted to speak to us about agriculture and education," says Edwards. "Being the national secretary, I delivered the closing remarks after his speech, so I actually had a five to 10 minute meeting with him. When the president came into the room, he said, 'Hey, Jennifer. How's Auburn?' So that was pretty exciting," admits Edwards.
Also as national secretary, Edwards traveled with a team of five other FFA members to 35 states and to Japan, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. During these visits the team presented leadership conferences and met with business and industry leaders and government officials to gain support for FFA.
What does the future promise for this bright graduate of the College of Agriculture?
Edwards plans to go to law school and specialize in agricultural law. Her long-term goal is to be involved with agricultural policy development at either the state or the national level.
"I feel that I can have the greatest impact on agriculture in that way," she says.
In the almost 20 years since she rolled watermelons onto her grandparents' front lawn, Jennifer Edwards has taken advantage of the opportunities that agriculture has offered her. It's a pretty safe bet that the next 20 years will be no different.