Hallie McGlaun, Grace College senior, wraps up a critical internship for Kosciusko County

WINONA LAKE — Hallie McGlaun, a senior agribusiness major at Grace College, recently concluded an eight-week internship in which she spearheaded the creation of an agriculture asset map for Kosciusko County.

McGlaun worked with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation, and the local Purdue Extension to conduct research and built relationships with agricultural and civic leaders, taking the database from zero to more than 500 companies, according to a news release from Grace College.

The asset map she created will enable the county to identify holes in the ag community and will be a vital tool for connecting companies in the ag industry.

Tobe Forshtay, instructor of agribusiness at Grace, facilitated the internship for which McGlaun also received college credit. He attended an agribusiness roundtable that recognized the opportunity for the asset map. Forshtay saw this as an optimal growth opportunity and recommended the assistance of an ag student at Grace to help spearhead the project.

“Suzie Light, of the Community Foundation, suggested that the student be self-motivated, a hard worker, and one who pursues excellence inside and out of the classroom. I immediately knew who to ask,” said Forshtay. “Hallie has been a bright spot in our ag program since she arrived at Grace last year.”

McGlaun, of Springfield, Ohio, grew up on an 11-acre woods where she learned to love agriculture, and specifically horses. After enrolling in the Equine Science Program of the Agricultural Branch at Ohio State University, McGlaun transferred to Grace College for the Christian community for her junior year. The same year, Grace launched its agribusiness program.

Among many things McGlaun has gained from the internship, the opportunity to network with ag industry leaders is invaluable. McGlaun expressed immense gratitude for the chance to glean wisdom from these leaders.

“There’s a big difference between having the knowledge and being wise. My agribusiness professors and mentors are genuinely wise. They are willing to pour into me and want to see me succeed,” McGlaun said.

McGlaun’s gratitude is matched with pride from Forshtay.

“I’m proud of Hallie for stepping up and doing this work. I’m thrilled Grace agribusiness is playing a part in this collaborative project,” said Forshtay.

For more information about Grace’s agribusiness program, go to www.grace.edu/major/agribusiness/.