From the Faculty of Agriculture’s Learning that Lasts

Audrie-Jo McConkey (BSc (Agriculture)’03) is no stranger to the idiom ‘practice what you preach.’ She does just that every single day.

Audrie-Jo knows that youth are the future and believes that it is our responsibility to ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. That’s why she spends her free time volunteering for various organizations and initiatives that focus on young children and youth.

Introducing science

Audrie-Jo has been involved in supervising over 15 different high school science fair projects and has been a judge for regional and national science fairs and 4-H fisheries projects. She has also been involved with the Junior Achievement Program, visiting Grade 9 classrooms to educate students on the significance of math programs, as well as a similar program called Females in the Workforce, which introduces science-based careers to young girls. She strives to expose youth to Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture as much as possible, by hosting high school classes in the Aquaculture facility and participating in Ag  Zone and Open House. As well, Audrie-Jo provides volunteer opportunities to undergraduate students seeking experience in the field.

A rewarding experience

“I absolutely love kids. Providing educational opportunities for youth is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I surround myself with children and young people as often as possible and am continuously surprised by how much I learn from them as well.”

As if all of that weren’t enough, Audrie-Jo also sits on the board of the faculty’s alumni association, is a member of the Fishermen & Scientists Research Society and a member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists. She is involved with LaLeche League Canada, providing support for nursing mothers and actively fundraises for the IWK, Canadian Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.