Faircracker FALL 2019
Page 21
You don’t need to grow up on a farm to make a career animal sciences. Kylie
Philips fell in love with the field through her local 4-H program. “I didn’t come from an agricultural background. If it wasn’t for 4-H, I wouldn’t
have known my options with becoming a student in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences student,” said Phillips.
Phillips, now a UF/IFAS CALS graduate student, says participating in 4-H livestock Kylie Phillips
projects sparked her interest in the agriculture industry. She joined 4-H at the age of eight, where she showed rabbits and pigs at her local county fair. She has volun- teered in her community, mentoring youth in how to be successful with their first
show project. She also participated in Hog and Ham, the State Livestock Judging contest and other various 4-H contests.
As an undergraduate animal sciences student, she served as the assistant coach for the UF Intercollegiate
Meat Judging Team and was a club member of Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen and Block and Bridle. With her work ethic and dedication, Phillips was awarded the J. Wayne Reitz Medal of Excellence Award in
the spring of 2019. This prestigious award recognizes an outstanding graduating senior in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Recipients have achieved a distinguished scholarship record and have demonstrated a high degree of leadership.
“I was very excited. I didn’t think out of the entire college I would be chosen as the outstanding senior,”
said Phillips. She believes that one of things that set her aside from the rest of her cohort is her undergraduate re-
search thesis on researching dry, aged beef for potential incorporation into premium ground beef. This researched involved evaluating the growth of bacteria on meat. This thesis allowed her to graduate
with honors. She believes that being involved in 4-H provided her with the stepping stones to success. “There was always something that I was working towards as a kid in the 4-H program,” said Phillips. “Had
I not been involved in 4-H, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to have these resume builders.” Florida 4-H sets the stage for work ethic, ambition and rising to the occasion to meet your goal, Phillips
said. “The opportunities are endless. You can do anything you want to do if you’re willing to dedicate time to-
wards your goal – it will pay off,” said Phillips. “Even if you’re not the best, natural talent isn’t 100 percent. Work ethic goes a very long way.”
Phillips is currently pursuing master’s degree in animal sciences in UF/IFAS CALS. As a graduate student,
she will work with a meat scientist on meat science focused research. Upon graduation she plans to enter the meat industry.
Rp erinte d w ith prmis
By Smntha a a Mu y e sion U IFAS
rra F?
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
