Amanda Sollman

**** ******** ****, ***** ****, MI 48416 abpbd9@r.postjobfree.com 810-***-****

Education

Bachelor of Science: Agriscience Minor: Biology

Concentrations: Agriculture & Natural Resources Communication, Education

Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, Mich.

Experience

Freelance Writer, Lansing, Mich., February 2011-present

Clients include Drive, Farm Progress, Farmer s Exchange and Michigan Farm News

Research topics, interview sources and write feature articles on complex issues about agriculture in the United States

Take print-quality digital photographs to accompany articles

Work with editors and graphic designers to ensure articles fit the tone and needs of each publication

Michigan Ag Council, Intern, Lansing, Mich., August 2010-present

Created MI Foodie News, an e-newsletter distributed to more than 10,000 people

Work with commodity organizations in Michigan to organize and write articles for MI Foodie News

Work with designers to finalize design and layout

Coordinate social media efforts for the Michigan Ag Council, Michigan Farmers Feed US and Farm Fresh Food blog,

including Facebook (2,068 page Likes ) and Twitter (606 followers)

Michigan State University, ANR Communications Student Writer, East Lansing, Mich., August 2010-present

Research topics, interview sources, take photographs and develop news releases, feature articles and technical pieces

for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and MSU Extension under tight deadlines

Managed conversion of 87 pages of content to a new CMS for Project GREEEN

Coordinated social media efforts for the 2011 Agriculture s Conference on the Environment (ACE) to improve

publicity and efficacy of traditional media tactics

Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science Aide, East Lansing, Mich., August 2006-present

Assisted with all aspects of Michigan Professional Pork Producers Symposium for three years, including:

communicating with 3-5 speakers annually to arrange presentation materials and answer questions; developing and

preparing agenda, evaluations and conference proceedings folders for 125 attendees; planning pre-event dinner for

speakers and planning committee; and assisting with registration

Conduct preliminary literature searches for Dale Rozeboom, Ph.D., MSU Extension swine specialist

Design and maintain MSU Extension Pork Team website (www.pork.msue.msu.edu) and Rozeboom s professional

website (www.msu.edu/~rozeboom)

National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), Communications Intern, Lexington, Ky., Summer 2010

Wrote more than 50 press releases for all state, regional and national award winners

Compiled more than 100 photos from 85 sources and reviewed 85 applications to create six, 30-minute award-

presentation slide shows

Developed scripts for 16 speakers at four convention sessions

Updated NAAE website to reflect 2010 award winners

Gathered more than 75 photographs to be used for NAAE promotions throughout the year

Redesigned logo for National Teach Ag Day

National Swine Registry, National Junior Swine Association Intern, West Lafayette, Ind., Summer 2009

Aided in all aspects of World Pork Expo Junior National (500+ youth exhibitors) and the National Junior Summer

Spectacular (580+ youth exhibitors), including organization of eight youth educational events

Organized silent auction to raise money for youth programming

Obtained new sponsorships for youth events

Coordinated all preparation for two regional swine shows independently, following departure of supervising staff

Gratiot County MSU Extension, 4-H/Agriculture Intern, Ithaca, Mich., Summer 2008

Planned one-day camp for 34 4-H members (5 to 8 years old)

Led swine showmanship station during county showmanship clinic

Designed Gratiot County 4-H Volunteer Handbook

Corresponded with 4-H members and volunteers by phone, e-mail, and mail

Michigan FFA Association, State Secretary, East Lansing, Mich., July 2007-June 2008

Facilitated diversity workshops to chapter officers from about 30 chapters

Presented to chapters across the state about leadership, teamwork and communication

Represented 5,000 Michigan FFA youth members on the Michigan FFA Association Board of Directors, comprised of

12 young-adults, 10 agriscience teachers and four industry professionals

Represented Michigan FFA Association in meetings with business/industry professionals

Served as secretary in business meetings

Bio-Systems, Office and Communications Assistant, Marlette, Mich., January 2006-January 2008

Clerical/managerial responsibilities for agricultural consulting business focused on sustainable agriculture

Skills and Additional Training

Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Photoshop Twitter

Adobe Acrobat Expression Engine Facebook

FTP/FileZilla Wordpress/Blogger LinkedIn

Microsoft Office Suite Flickr YouTube

Other Relevant Experiences and Activities

National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), Student Member, East Lansing, Mich., September 2008-May

2011

Three-year member of student marketing competition presentation team, including 2010 and 2011 finalist

teams

Chairperson for 3P Committee, responsible for all product development related to price, place and product

Contributor to significant portions of the written marketing plan

Club secretary (2009-2011)

AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference, Chicago, Ill., August 2010

Expanded knowledge and abilities in numerous social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook,

YouTube and blogging

Networked with farmers and other agricultural professionals interested in using social media to build

relationships and share agriculture s story

Michigan Small Farms Conference, Breakout Session Presenter, January 2011

Presented workshop to about 20 youth and adults on use of social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,

LinkedIn, blogs) in agriculture, specifically to network with others in the industry and publicize small farm

businesses

MSU Collegiate FFA

Serving as President, 2010-11, Vice-President, 2008-09

Organized Career Show at the Michigan FFA State Convention, including 10 vendors and more than 300

youth and adult participants, 2008-2010

Oversaw student trips to the National FFA Convention, 2008

#AgEduChat

Co-moderator and co-founder for semi-weekly chat on Twitter, hosting 10-15 weekly participants, focused on

connecting agriscience teachers from across the country to discuss issues facing the profession, giving a sense

of community and connecting early-career teachers with professionals throughout the country

National FFA Foundation, 2009-10 National FFA Convention Collegiate Host

Work with Foundation staff to lead tours of convention with prominent agricultural and non-profit businesses,

including Crop Production Services and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

2010 Collegiate Host Team Leader

Coordinated on-site activities of seven collegiate host team members

Assisted National FFA Foundation staff with host training

MSU Block and Bridle Club

Served as chairperson for the Livestock Judging Contest, 2009-10

Designed and maintained webpages for 2010 National Block and Bridle Convention

MSU Collegiate Dairy Judging Team

Competed at the World Dairy Expo (2nd High Individual in the Ayrshire breed with a perfect Oral Reasons

score), All-American Dairy Show (4th High Individual in the Holstein breed), and North American

International Livestock Expo

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