Jeanie Rowbotham
University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (UAEX) County Extension Agent- 4H
Hometown: Hagarville, AR
Briefly describe your role:
I work with Johnson County youth through UofA youth development program 4-H. I assist with individual project work, local 4-H clubs, county/district/state/national events, special interest programs, and school enrichment programs. I develop tomorrow’s future leaders.
Q: Is what you’re doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: Yes, I’ve always had a passion for youth and agriculture. I knew from a young age I wanted to work in the agriculture industry. At first, I was unsure if I wanted to go in the public or private sector. I grew up in 4-H. Words can’t describe how much 4-H has impacted my life. I would not be the person I am today without this organization. When I went to college and on to graduate school, I went the agriculture business route certain I wanted to go into the private sector but my heart led me back to Extension. Over the past decade, I have had the privilege to work with youth not only in Johnson County but from across the state. I provide the human capital to the agriculture industry.
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: It is an exciting time to be a woman in agriculture. I remember in the early 2000s taking basic college agriculture classes like animal science, and in the 25-student class, there were maybe 2 females to 23 males. Even 13 years ago when I first entered Extension, female ag agents were almost unheard of. It was assumed if you were a woman, you had a family consumer science degree, not an ag degree. Today that is completely different, and some of the best and brightest ag agents in the state are female. Women in agriculture are trending. In the last decade, there has been a surge of women starting their own small farms and empowering women in all areas of agriculture.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: My career in Extension was definitely inspired by my county extension agent growing up, Mrs. Nita Cooper. She encouraged me to go to camps, workshops, and competitions, and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. After completing my undergrad and graduate degree, Nita was the first person to encourage me to apply for Extension jobs and even wrote me a letter of recommendation. She served as a mentor early in my career and inspired me to aim high.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: You Do You! Identify your own talents, set goals, and put time into cultivating those talents. Find a professional environment where you can excel, be humble, kind, and work hard. Surround yourself with encouraging people.
Q: What’s been your secret to success?
A: No secret, really. I’m a hardworking farmer’s wife, easy to work with, and able to handle multiple tasks with patience. The key to my job is working with people, providing research-based information to enhance the lives of Arkansans. Being easy to get along with has taken me a long way in my career.
