Maggie Mills, Lake City, MN, Combines Passion for Agriculture and Communication

2016 Sep 15

The campus tagline "Small Campus. Big Degree." is not the only thing the University of Minnesota Crookston offers sophomore Maggie Mills, "You gain a solid education, and a caring supportive system that is there to help you grow and thrive."

The animal science and communication double major grew up in Lake City, Minn., located approximately six hours southeast of Crookston. Mills found her love of animals growing up on her family's 300-cow dairy farm. Being actively involved, at a young age in 4-H and FFA made it easy for Mills to fall in love with agriculture and eventually lead Mills to pursue an agricultural degree on the Crookston campus.

After taking a public speaking class her freshman year, Mills soon realized that communication was a study she had developed a strong passion for and decided to add communication as a second major. Mills states, "My career goal is to become the trusted liaison between the farmer and the consumer, communicating the traditions and values of farmers while creating a relationship with consumers of assurance." The U of M Crookston has great professors and resources to educate and train young agriculturists, like Mills, to effectively advocate for the future of agriculture.

Mills has found ways to utilize both her passion for animals and communication throughout her endeavors at the University. She is active on Crookston Student Association Executive Board serving as a senator, is a member of the Animal Science Association, and works as a communications assistant in University Relations. Mills hopes to advance her skills within these entities while giving back to the school and community she is growing to love.

Full swing into Mills' sophomore year, happiness and gratitude are expressed every day. Mills spends her days embracing campus life experiences and remains thankful for the opportunities the Crookston campus provides, while always remaining proud of her home roots.

Mills strives to live by the quote, "Just keep smiling, remain happy, and everything will fall into place." Mills hopes that through her studies she can someday impact the lives of others the same way her professors, mentors, and friends have helped her.