Courtney Gray: Communications and Agriculture

Name: Courtney Gray

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown & Current Town: Prosperity, PA/Selinsgrove, PA

Graduation Year: BS 2012

Major & Minors: Agricultural Science; Minors in Animal Science, Leadership Development

Current Professional Title: Executive Director

Name of Employer: PA Pork Producers Council

Brief Description of Your Role/Profession: The PA Pork Producers Council is a 27-member board of directors made up of pork producers from across the state. We manage the funds from the Pork Checkoff Program. We primarily work in consumer marketing, advertising, and producer engagement. Aside from managing the board itself, my role is geared towards promoting pork to consumers to eat. We do producer education and support research, but I spend most of my time working in digital advertising, the retail space, and partnering with nutritionists/dieticians to promote pork consumption.

Why did you choose Penn State?

I was very active in both 4-H and FFA growing up. I was on a livestock judging team at the county level, which gave me experience with Penn State through those programs. I remember coming to the spring judging contest at eight years old and thinking, "Wow, these people are here as college students running the contest and working with livestock." That really sealed the deal for me. Penn State was the only place I applied. I also have an older brother who is also an alumnus of Penn State and the College of Agricultural Sciences.

What inspired you to pursue your degree?

When I started college, I knew that I wanted to work in agriculture but I wasn't clear on what that would look like. My senior project in high school had me shadowing an FFA advisor in a different school district from my home school. I thought maybe that would be my path. 

I started out in Animal Science, took organic chemistry, and decided that wasn't a good fit. I had secured a weeklong internship at the PA Farm Show in the press office and got really interested in communications and how that played into agriculture. Ultimately, I ended up in Agricultural Science for my major, which gave me flexibility in my schedule to take some communications classes and pursue leadership development programs. I knew then that I wanted to lean more toward communications. 

My background is in raising animals and I still live on a farm. My husband and I raise cattle. I always liked animals but never intended to be a veterinarian. This was a perfect way to mix those things together.

What clubs and organizations were you involved in?

I was really active in Block and Bridle. In my time with that organization, I served as a treasurer, assistant show manager, and show manager for the Little International. At the time, we still ran the Pennsylvania Beef Expo Show, and I was a manager for the show. I was also a member of the Coaly Society, Livestock and Meats Judging teams and served as an Ag Advocate.

What is a favorite Penn State memory?

Managing the Little International livestock show my senior year was really special. We had the opportunity to have the Penn State President attend. They hadn't attended in many years and it was really special to have their support. It was one of the largest shows we had in many years with more than 100 student participants, which was really exciting. It was a lot of work, but it was fun to see students, especially students with no animal agriculture background, have the opportunity to show an animal.

I had a friend who I met in first-year chemistry who was also a Penn State Lionette. She was in the college with me but was very busy with Lionette activities most of the time. I convinced her to show a sheep in Little International. She was from New Jersey and had no animal background at all but it was really fun to see her try something new!

How has your Penn State education influenced your career?

My education has really been invaluable. The classroom learning has been important, but the connections I made on campus have helped me the full breadth of my career, from internship opportunities as a student and then through my entire career path. I have valued the connections I made and still work with folks that I either went to college with, were professors of mine, or Extension folks I met along the way. I utilize those connections daily.

What are one or two of your proudest accomplishments in which your Penn State education played a role?

On a personal level, my husband and I run a beef operation. My husband is a full-time farmer and also a Penn State grad. That is probably one of our biggest accomplishments. We've taken our knowledge and used it for our personal farm operation. 

On a more professional level, I'm proud of the career status I have but also being able to help current students. We have internship and externship opportunities at the council. One of my favorite things is showing students careers outside the norm or that they didn’t know existed until they got to college.

What has been the best advice you’ve ever received?

When I was a student, Ag Alumni Society hosted a social networking event. Alumni reviewed resumes and helped you build your elevator pitch. That was really impactful for me. I was randomly assigned an incredible mentor who is still one of my best friends. Being able to build your network and understanding that while schoolwork is important, what you're going to gain from your network is really valuable.

What collegiate advice or professional development tip would you give to a current student?

Try a lot of things and don't be afraid to try something you didn't intend to be your career or isn't in your current wheelhouse. You never know when that might spark something for you.

Why are you proud to be a Penn State Ag Sciences alum?

I am proud to be an Ag Sciences alum because of the incredible work my peers and those folks who came before me do in agriculture across the world, but specifically in Pennsylvania every day.