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Interview with Latino in Agriculture Leader
Vanessa Gabriella Martinez, Student
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“I wanted to build a career where I could help the environment feed people”
AH: How did you get into food and agriculture and what are your professional aspirations?
VM:My exposure to agriculture is very non-traditional. I originally started off as a kinesiology major with an interest in physical therapy until I volunteered at the Rio Grande Community Farm for credit in a Biology course. It was there that I was exposed to an urban agriculture operation that was sustainable for both the community and the ecological environment. I realized that these concepts were important to me and that I wanted to build a career where I could help the environment feed people. Upon the completion of my degree I will have a Bachelors in Agricultural Science and Community development, therefore I want to merge this with my interest in nutrition in hopes of improving our food web in its relation to health, food security, and environment.
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“I started with the US Forest Service in a student temporary employment position.”
AH:You have worked the last four summers with the USDA,what did your work entail?
VM:I started with the United States Forest Service in a student temporary employment position (STEP) as a trail crew member with the Heber-Kamas ranger district. My main duties were hiking and maintenance of trail, however the internal value was that it built a work ethic that can only be achieved hiking 4+ miles daily, crosscutting dead trees, removing waterlogged stumps, and spiking out during the monsoon season. I currently hold a position with the Natural Resource Conservation Service as a Pathways intern. This position is intended to give the student the opportunity to gain field experience for 2 summers before graduating into a fulltime position with the selected agency. My specific position was with NRCS-TX, and I was able to work in zone 1&3, where I learned the technical side of large-scale agriculture and how NRCS helps farmers and landowners preserve the productivity of the land.
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AH:What are some of the ways your mentors, teachers and superiors have helped guide you?
VM:If it wasn’t for my mentors, I can honestly say I would not be where I am today. Dr. Martha Desmond who is the coordinator for my program, Natural Resource Career Tracks, has been there from the very start of my academic career to the finish. She was the first person I contacted when I transferred from my community college. I took my first Natural Resource course with her and I remember her always calling me out to answer in class, which at first I did not like, but I now realize it’s because she saw something in me that I didn’t. Even though I switched programs, she still continued to follow up with me every semester to make sure that I was on track with my courses, summer internship, and GPA. My advisor for the past 2 years, Dr. Brenda Seevers has been a strong mentor and teacher for me; I’ve appreciated the international culture that she exposed us to through her classes, which have invigorated me to explore the many faces of agriculture and development. Other mentors have been past supervisors of mine, in every agency I’ve worked, USFS, NRCS, NM-state parks, I’ve always been fortunate to work under a strong leadership. They have all helped guide me in a unique individual way, and I hope to carry on each of their legacies in my own unique way.
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AH: What did you think of the 2014 Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Conference?
VM:My experience at the 2014 Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Conference was invigorating. At my level in college, it was encouraging to hear the start and success stories of people whom were once in the position I am. It also challenged me to confront my fears of public speaking and compose myself in a professional image.
AH:Has the Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Conference helped you?
VM:Latinos in Agriculture Leaders Conference is helping me professionally because it has given me the opportunity to bring to attention what I believe is important in agriculture. It has also given me the opportunity to expose the people and organizations along the way that deserve attention as well.
New Mexico-Natural Resource Career Tracks Program visit: facebook.com/nrct.nmsu
To learn more about Latinos in Agriculture visit: latinosinagriculture.com
Follow on Twitter: @LatinosInAg
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