Agricultural Business Student Spotlight: Riley Barney

Senior Riley Barney is learning first-hand the many ways agriculture ties the Central Valley to the rest of the world through a host of professional experiences (like her internship with the California Apple Commission).

The Chowchilla native has also been active in the agricultural business department as president of its Ag Business Club, conducting research with faculty Dr. Jason Liang, and competing on product marketing teams at national competitions.

Also a valuable member of the Ag One Foundation staff and the JCAST Student Leadership Council, learn what's ahead on her career path (after she starts graduate school this fall at Texas A&M) in this recent interview.

 

Q: How did you choose to attend Fresno State and your degree area?

Riley: “I chose Fresno State because of the number of opportunities available to students. Being an agriculture major, there is nowhere better to study agriculture than the Central Valley. Fresno State is in one of the best agricultureal regions of the world, which provides students with immense opportunities they cannot get anywhere else.”

Riley: “I decided to major in agricultural business because I knew that there are a number of career paths I could choose with that degree. As a freshman, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, and I felt a degree in agriculture business would provide me with the flexibility to figure it out while also staying involved with the agricultural industry.” 

 

Q: Which classes and faculty members had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State?

Barney: “I have been fortunate to have multiple classes and faculty members that have influenced me while at Fresno State. My favorite ag business course has been AGBS 128 with Dr. (Srinivasa) Konduru. This class focused on leadership theory and different relevant issues in the ag industry, and we often had guest speakers come and share their perspectives and backgrounds. Dr. (Serhat) Asci and Dr. (Jason) Liang have also played a major role in my time at Fresno State through extracurricular activities. They both serve as advisors for the Agricultural Business Club and have coached a number of competitions I have been involved in.” 

 

Q: Talk about any work experiences with the College or on campus farm.

Barney: “I have worked at the Ag One Foundation on campus as a student assistant. In this position, I provided administrative support to the Ag One Foundation college development office and helped plan Ag One and Jordan College events like the Ag Boosters BBQ, Community Salute, Turf Day and convocation. I also created online content such as the Ag OnE-newsletter, social media posts, Ag One web pages, event advertisements and more. While working at Ag One, I was given tasks and responsibilities that were meaningful and positively impacted the Jordan College students and programs.” 

 

Q: Have you been involved with research on campus, and how will it benefit your career path and other growers and the industry?

Barney: “As a member of Cohort 7 of the Jordan College Honors Program, I have had the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research. My faculty mentor, Dr. Liang, and I have been looking at the potential impacts of genetically modified walnuts and the domestic and international market response. Determining the economic impacts of genetically modified (GM) walnuts and determining domestic and international consumer opinions of adopting it in the future could help farmers make difficult long-term decisions.” 

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Barney: “My passion for agriculture started at a young age. Growing up, my family raised cattle, and I was extremely involved with the local 4H group. I also grew up being surrounded by FFA since my mom is an ag teacher. When I got to high school, I could not wait to be involved in FFA and participated in numerous CDE contests and continued raising livestock.”

 

Q: Have you had any internships while at Fresno State, and how have they helped you professionally?

Barney: “I believe that internships are the best way to gain experience while in college and learn what you want to do in the future. My current internship at the California Apple Commission (CAC), opened my eyes to the possibility of a career in international affairs and agriculture. Through this internship I have participated in virtual trade events and trade missions, such as the United States Agriculture Export Development Council. I have been able to assist the Director of Trade review the Unified Export Strategy and other trade related notifications. I have also helped distribute notifications and updates to the industry regarding trade action, market access requests, Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) changes, and more. These experiences have allowed me to explore my interest in international work and decide if it was worth pursuing as a future career.”

Barney: “My other responsibilities include overseeing the California Apple Commission (CAC), California Blueberry Commission (CBC), and California Olive Oil Council (COOC) social media accounts.  I also manage the various commodity organization websites, by keeping published information up-to-date. I create content for the CAC, CBC, COOC, California Olive Committee (COC), Olive Growers Council of California, and California Wild Rice Advisory Board bi-monthly newsletters. I am responsible for the CAC, CBC, and COC annual reports, which compile the various activities the commission has completed throughout the year, including research projects, shipping destination statistics, export market updates, and other industry-related information. Another major responsibility is coordinating congressional meetings and preparing executive summaries for the congressional members in attendance.”

 

Q: Were you a part of any other clubs, organizations and other noteworthy activities at Fresno State?

Barney: “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of several, such as the JCAST Leadership Council, as a liaison to clubs and organizations. We helped host events during National Ag Week that included a student Lunch on the Lawn (3/22) and Industry Speaker Panel (3/24). I also supported student clubs and organizations with funding applications, ideas, etc. I also attended and hosted a booth for National Ag Week at the State Capitol in Sacramento (3/23). This is a joint effort with Cal Poly SLO, Cal Poly Pomona, and Chico State to increase funding for campus farms.”

Barney: “I also served as a president for the Agricultural Business Club, in which I have helped organize monthly meetings with guest speakers, an industry tour of Millerton Lake and the Friant Kern Canal, and plan for the 2022 Ag Business Department Banquet.”                                              

Barney: “I also have been a part of student competitions that included the USDA FAS Agricultural Export Market Challenge, Food Distribution Research Society Competition and National Grocers Association Student Competition.”

 

Q: Have you received any scholarships related to campus, the Jordan College and / or Ag One?  

Barney: “Yes, the scholarships I have received have reduced the financial burden of paying for my education. I have received multiple campus and Ag One Scholarships throughout my time at Fresno State. I was also selected for the Verna Mae Brooks Scholarship my sophomore year, which has covered my tuition and education expenses. All of these scholarships have allowed me to spend more time on extracurricular activities and less time having to work to cover my expenses. This has allowed me to be active on campus and grow as an individual, while also giving back to my community and fellow students. I have had several others, too, that have been equally important.”

 

Q: Have you participated in any other outreach activities that benefited the community?

Barney: “Before COVID, I was really involved with the Art of Life Cancer Foundation. I served as an intern through the Bud and Jan Richter Scholars in Service Program. I also volunteered regularly at the Art of Life Healing Garden. Since COVID, I have continued to volunteer at Ag One.” 

 

Q: Have you traveled to any conferences and made any presentations or attended lectures?

Barney: “Due to the pandemic I have not been able to travel as much as I would have hoped, but I have gotten to attend a few conferences. In November 2019 I received my American FFA Degree and traveled to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Then in November 2021, I attended the AFA Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. This was a great opportunity to meet other agricultural students and professionals from across the country. I have also got to travel to the National Grocers Association (NGA) competition twice. Once in San Diego in 2020 and another time in Vegas in 2022.” 

 

Q: What's your potential next career step, and how do you plan to use your degree eventually?

Braney: “I have been accepted to Texas A&M University for Fall 2022 and will be pursuing a Master of International Affairs degree at the Bush School of Government. Then, after earning my master’s degree, I hope to work for a quasi-government organization or for the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Working for institutions like these would allow me to work on behalf of farmers to develop and expand export markets, negotiate trade deals, work on trade policy that positively impacts the industry, and more.”