Graduate of the Pack: Connor Billman, International Agriculture Education Fellowship Program fellow

Empowering youth and elevating small-holder farmers through agricultural science

Connor Billman leading a classroom full of 4-H'ers in an activity.

College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources graduate Connor Billman teaches the whys and hows of fertilizing a school's garden, which he oversees. Photo courtesy of the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program.

Graduate of the Pack: Connor Billman, International Agriculture Education Fellowship Program fellow

Empowering youth and elevating small-holder farmers through agricultural science

College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources graduate Connor Billman teaches the whys and hows of fertilizing a school's garden, which he oversees. Photo courtesy of the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program.

Connor Billman leading a classroom full of 4-H'ers in an activity.

College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources graduate Connor Billman teaches the whys and hows of fertilizing a school's garden, which he oversees. Photo courtesy of the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program.

Faces of the Pack logo.

Connor Billman was selected in spring as an International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program fellow for the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture.

Through the fellowship program, Connor is serving for a year as a 4-H leader, agriculture teacher and Extension agent in Ghana. His work, funded in part by University of Nevada, Reno Extension's Douglas County 4-H Leaders Council, is part of an effort to empower youth by developing in them leadership and entrepreneurship skills through 4-H, and to help the country's farmers.

"The basis of the [fellowship] program is to elevate small-holder farmers out of poverty and hunger through agricultural science," Connor said. "The way that this is approached is through hands-on learning."

The hands-on learning opportunities Connor is providing are key to the fellowship's mission and are made possible by partnership.

"Working with strong partners like 4-H Ghana and AgriCorps to improve school-based agriculture education, that’s really the mission," Jessica Spence, who coordinates the fellowship program, said. "The fellows, by being part of that boots-on-the-ground effort, are a huge part of how we do that."

Connor's selection for this honor comes on the heels of his earning in 2020 a bachelor's degree in agricultural science from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, as well as a Fulbright Scholar Award.

Only nine were chosen from among numerous applicants to receive this fellowship this inaugural year. The fellowship work combines several of Connor's passions – agriculture, education, adventure and service – and it is those passions that inspired him to teach abroad after graduation.

But first, a change in a change of plans

In 2020, Connor received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach English at a secondary school in the countryside of the Czech Republic.

In an article about the award, Connor said, "Having taught in a variety of teaching settings from substitute teaching to being a dairy educator, I am ready to start my English teaching adventure in the Czech Republic. As an agriculture major, I am excited to learn about the ag practices in the Czech Republic and how agriculture is incorporated in their school systems."

It was anticipated that his teaching duties would keep him busy 20 hours per week, leaving time for him to run clubs for and engage with the community. However, the Fulbright Program was suspended worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fulbright participants such as Connor were offered the opportunity to reschedule or defer their grants.

Despite the pandemic, Connor still wanted to teach abroad. So, he planned to go to Senegal as an agricultural Extension agent with the Peace Corps. However, the Peace Corps suspended operations globally in March 2020 and has yet to resume them. But Connor couldn't wait.

"Even though my original plans had altered greatly, it didn't dull my spirit," he said. "I have still felt a calling toward agricultural education and living abroad, which has led to my selection as a fellow in the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program."

After this change in a change of plans, Connor's teaching abroad adventure finally began, not in 2020 but in 2021, and not in the Czech Republic or in Senegal but in Ghana.

Growing Ghana

Connor's fellowship in Ghana is not an easy job.

It requires him to work daily during the school year, helping his community improve youth and agriculture development by putting on in- and after-school trainings for youth and trainings in the community for people of all ages.

"The four components to the teaching model we are using are classroom/laboratory learning, home-based entrepreneurship projects, leadership development and a school-based demonstration garden," he said.

Connor oversees the school garden, where community members learn hands-on skills in agriculture, leadership, entrepreneurship and more.

Train the trainer


"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn." ~Phil Collins

Connor spent five weeks this summer undergoing various trainings in the U.S. to prepare him for his work in Ghana, and he's continued to receive in-country training, including cross-cultural and agricultural trainings, and site visits.

Cooking lessons

Training on duck-rearing

Training on rabbitry

Connor Billman and five fellows watch curiously as a sixth fellow stirs a huge pot of food cooking on an outdoor gas stove with several-foot-long wooden spoon.
Lessons in preparing traditional Ghanaian dishes, RedRed and Waakye

As part of his cross-cultural training, Connor toured the city of Accra, including the over 100-year-old Wesley Cathedral, the Jamestown area, chiefs' palaces and Independence Square. He learned about the slave trade history of Ghana and the country's independence. He received Twi language and Ghanaian agriculture Extension training, and he visited a fruit farm. There, he learned about Ghana's tropical fruit commodities, and how to harvest popo, or papaya.

Twi language training

Connor also went on several adventures with his fellow fellows, such as taking a morning mountain hike and going for a swim in Boti Falls, before he geared up to go to his community for the first time.

  • Just days after arriving in Ghana, Connor had the chance to be a tourist for a day.
  • He explored the capital city and its historical landmarks.
  • He learned about the country's history and independence.
  • A few days later, he got to know Ghana a bit more, by going on a morning mountain hike with his cohort on his day off.
  • After completing some training, he took a swim in Boti Falls and hiked to Umbrella Rock with his cohort.
  • He visited a fruit farm and harvested papaya.

Already Connor has settled in with his host family, and he's met with chiefs and community leaders, school staff and headmasters, and his students and 4-H clubs. He's had success leading 4-H meetings, and the school garden he oversees is thriving under his leadership and care.

  • About two weeks after arriving in Ghana, Connor settled into his community.
  • About six weeks into the fellowship, he led a 4-H meeting on the whys and hows of fertilizing a school's garden, which he oversees. Videos of the meeting are below.
  • The school garden Connor oversees is already thriving.
  • The school garden Connor oversees is already thriving.
  • The school garden Connor oversees is already thriving.

Connor teaches a 4-H lesson...

[borlaugiaefp] "Fellow Connor is leading this week's first 4-H meeting, continuing on last week's lessons on fertilizer!"

...with a dance break!

[borlaugiaefp] "Rain too loud for a moment? No worries, always time for a dance break."

Connor recently led the fellowship program's first teacher training with fellow Sherrie Ray. The training provided more than 30 teachers with two days of workshops on topics such as positive youth development, classroom management, school-based agricultural education and lesson planning.

  • In late October, Connor and Sherrie led the first teacher training.
  • Over two days, they trained more than 30 teachers.
  • The teachers learned positive youth development, classroom management, school-based agricultural education and lesson planning.
  • The teachers learned positive youth development, classroom management, school-based agricultural education and lesson planning.

Fellowship Program Director Jack Elliot said, "You have to have [a background of higher education in agriculture] if you’re going to make a difference in agriculture and production."

From Genoa to Ghana with love

But Connor's agriculture background started long before college.

He was born and raised in northern Nevada, where he grew up in Nevada's oldest town, Genoa, on his family’s cow-calf operation, Ranch One, which is Nevada's oldest ranch. From a young age, Connor has been active in agriculture, from working on the ranch to participating in the College's 4-H Youth Development Program, offered by its Extension unit, and the Carson Valley Chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA).

"I have been greatly affiliated with 4-H," Connor said, "showing animals at the Nevada Junior Livestock Show for five years, going to 4-H Camp, livestock judging and doing FFA."

With FFA, Connor raised cows for market and for show.

Through the College's Extension office in Douglas County, Connor participated in the Divine Swine and Carson Valley Shepherds 4-H Clubs, raising for market and showing both pigs and sheep. He earned awards for his animals and for his showmanship. He writes to his old 4-H Clubs from Ghana and plans to present to them about his experience there when he gets back.

  • A young Connor Billman (right) being recognized at 4-H Awards Night.
  • Connor (second row, third from left) with his fellow 4-Hers and their volunteer club leader Nita Vick, who was being crowned at 4-H Awards Night.
  • Connor (left) showing his pig as part of an Extension, Carson City/Storey County Livestock Show.
  • Connor, third from right, with his fellow Extension, Douglas County 4-Hers at a livestock qualifier event.
  • A postcard Connor sent from Ghana to his old Extension, Douglas County 4-H Club.
  • A postcard Connor sent from Ghana to his old Extension, Douglas County 4-H Club.

A real wise guy


"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit." ~Thomas Jefferson

During his time at the University, Connor continued his involvement with Nevada agriculture.

He joined the College, where he studied agricultural science, helped with its NevadaFit Program, worked as an irrigation technician, learned about animal behavior from Temple Grandin, served as its senator and helped to start a new student club, a Collegiate Chapter of Nevada Farm Bureau's Young Farmers & Ranchers Program (YF&R).

As the College's senator, Connor represented the University's 20,000 undergraduate students and helped to manage the student government's $2 million budget. A founding board member of the YF&R club, which receives support from the student government, he served as vice president and president. 

Two smiling students in front of the Knowledge Center. One is holding a goat.
[May 8, 2018 | the_ag_guy] "Young Farmers & Ranchers is having our first event called Floats and Goats in front of the KC. Come pet some goats and have a free root beer float!"

While a student, Connor's achievements, opportunities and career advancements were many.

He earned a Nevada Heritage Foundation Scholarship from the Nevada Farm Bureau and the highest degree achievable in the Future Farmers of America organization, an American Degree.

He attended the Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, where he learned agriculture educator skills that he said prepared him for an internship with Cargill as a food safety, quality and regulatory technician.

Connor also worked with the Nevada Department of Agriculture as an Ag in the Classroom presenter and dairy educator, traveling around northern Nevada, teaching Nevadas where food comes from. In another role with the Department, Connor worked as an environmental inspector, ensuring pesticide retailers and applicators were operating in line with federal regulations on safety.

Closer to home, Connor volunteered as a Meals on Wheels Washoe County delivery driver, bringing food to local elders weekly, and served as a teaching assistant for the College of Science's Biology Department.

A man of many adventures


“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” ~Helen Keller

The adventure-loving undergrad was also a member of the University's Climbing Club and earned his Wilderness First Responder Certification.

Connor took time to study abroad in Brazil as well, where he stayed with a host family and learned about sustainable, local agriculture operations there. His travels also took him to the Jarbidge wilderness near Elko, where he volunteered over 500 hours with The Great Basin Institute to restore parts of an access road.

Connor with his flag-draped back to the camera stands on a high ledge and looks out over a view of towering, rocky, tree-topped cliffs and mountains.
[April 1, 2019 | the_ag_guy] Canion do Funil, Santa Catarina, Brazil

After graduation, Connor spent more than 100 days backpacking, camping and guiding backpacking trips. He worked with Teton Valley Ranch Camp in Dubois, Wyoming, where he helped provide inspiring Western adventures, and with Open Sky Wilderness Therapy in Durango, Colorado, where he helped struggling young adults and families.

A line of people with tall, 40- to 60-liter backpacks walks away fromt he camera into dense, green brush that's as tall as they are.
[July 26, 2020 | the_ag_guy] "Mosquitos, bushwacking, and taking care of twelve 12-14 year olds for 5 days in the backcountry is definitely an experience I won't forget."

Connor also worked as a research assistant with the College on a grazing study in Nevada's Ruby Mountains near Elko. The aim of the project, which is led by doctoral student Tracy Shane, is to help address the widespread problem of frequent and large wildfires on Nevada rangelands by using technology to see how sheep and cattle grazing might help control cheatgrass, a highly flammable invasive weed.

Professor Barry Perryman, a collaborator on the project and the chair of the department from which Connor graduated, said that fall-targeted grazing reduces the chance that a wildfire will occur and helps us to fight any that do.

"It might even help save a life or some property," he said.

Connor said studying it was fun.

Connor on a remote rengeland, setting up a tall silver tripod upon which is a blue box with white antenna. At the base of the tripod is his backpack and a ladder.
[Oct. 9, 2020 | the_ag_guy] "...Stoked I got to help collect data out in the Rubies..."


 

"Did we have a truck with a tail gate that stayed on? No, but who needs that when you're having a good time."


College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

We grow agriculture educators and adventurers.

Community Builders. Doctors. Dietitians. Discoverers. Ecologists. Environmentalists. Explorers. Farmers. Foodies. Forest Managers. Researchers. Scientists. Teachers. Rangeland Managers. Veterinarians. And more.

Are you ready to grow?






Growing Ghana photos and videos courtesy of the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program.

The fellowship program is founded in partnership with AgriCorps, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service and hosted at a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife, the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture. The institute, named after the "father of the Green Revolution," fulfils its namesake's mission with science-based offerings, such as the fellowship program.

Work by Max Esterhuizen, Kerry Halladay, Jennifer Kent and Tiffany Kozsan contributed to this article.

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