Kate Murphy of Spring Branch, Texas, recently joined the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (VATAT) as the summer intern and will play an integral role at the annual VATAT Professional Development Conference and the 85th annual Texas FFA State Convention.
Murphy is a junior at Tarleton State University majoring in agricultural communications. She participates in numerous activities on campus including Tarleton Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, serves as a College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ambassador and is a member of the Livestock Judging Team.
“Kate has extensive agriculture and communication experience and brings a great understanding of agricultural education to the position,” said VATAT Executive Director Barney McClure.
FFA and agricultural education provide premier leadership opportunities, experiential learning and promote academic excellence through a rigorous curriculum combined with practical application and developing relationships.
As the summer intern, Murphy will assist VATAT and Texas FFA staff members with coordinating activities for the convention, which attracts more than 10,000 FFA members and guests, as well as the conference, which more than 1,400 agricultural educators attend.
“This project-based internship brings two of my passions together - agriculture and communications,” Murphy said. “I’m excited to work with the staff, teachers and sponsors of Texas agricultural education.”