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Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

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Senior Spotlight: Q & A with Zane Robison

Jan. 29, 2025
group of asm students

Something that separates the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) from others is its ability to prepare graduates for the workforce. For Agricultural Systems Management (ASM) senior Zane Robison, his experience in the department has certainly given him all the tools needed as he takes the next step in his career. 

We sat down with Zane to hear more about his story and his reflections on the ASM program at Ohio State. 

  1. Where are you from and what is your major and class year?

I am from a small town in Champaign County named Mingo. I am majoring in Agricultural Systems Management and am in my 4th year at Ohio State.

  1. What interested you in your current major, and how did you find FABE?

When I first started exploring for a possible major, I looked at the descriptions and post-grad career options for each on the FABE website. That is when I came across ASM. What interested me was the broad career options after graduation. Being the 18-year-old that I was, I didn’t know what I wanted to do post-grad. ASM opened the door for me to explore many different careers. I guess you could say FABE and I found each other.

  1. What do you like about our department/your major?

FABE and ASM have both been great to be a part of. Both have prepared me for the workforce, but at the same time allowed me to explore different topics and emerging technologies. I have enjoyed the classes within the ASM program and have learned valuable knowledge about a variety of topics. I am excited to see what the future holds for the department and major.

  1. Are there any clubs, organizations, or extracurricular activities you are involved in?

Yes, I have been involved in the ASM club for all 4 years I have attended Ohio State. I have been privileged to have held multiple officer positions and to have watched the club grow. Recently I have also started attending the Crops and Soils Club.

  1. Have you worked on any projects, research, or internships that you’re particularly proud of?

Yes, I have had the privilege to have had multiple internships, one with Heritage Cooperative, and one with Cargill. During both internships, I was involved with grain buying/merchandising and am very grateful for both opportunities. This past semester my capstone group and I have started working on a project involving a Fork Farms Flex Acre system. This is a large modern hydroponic system and is very new to the market. We have recently started growing several varieties of lettuce and look forward to working with and developing new ideas to improve the overall user experience of the system.

  1. Is there a course or professor/lecturer in FABE that has stood out to you?

Yes, but first I would like to give a huge thank you to Dr. Kate Boening-Ulman. What she has done for the ASM program over the past couple of years has been incredible. While I won’t get to enjoy most of the work she is doing, I have never been more sure ASM is in good hands. As for the courses, two come to mind. The first is Engines and Power taught by Professor Klopfenstein. The second is Electrical and Lighting Systems taught by Professor Suchy. There are many more I could have picked, but both of these courses I found very interesting, and both built my knowledge of an area I knew little about before enrolling. While the homework was difficult at times, I have retained valuable real-world knowledge from both courses.

  1. What advice would you have for underclassmen in your discipline?

Get involved early and get out of your comfort zone. ASM club is how I met some of my lifelong friends. When exploring internships, don’t be afraid of being rejected, and explore out-of-state options. There is no better time for you to travel than in college and I wish I had done more.

  1. What are your plans for after graduation?

My plans after graduation are to move back home and go into the workforce. I plan to stay involved in agriculture and pursue a career in grain marketing or grain management. I also plan to become more involved in my family’s beef cattle operation.

  1. Do you feel like this department has prepared you for post-grad? How so?

Yes, without FABE and ASM, I would never have gotten or been in the position to apply for the internships that I have completed. FABE has opened my eyes to so many possible careers, whether that is through career fairs, the website, or club meetings. All have presented me with opportunities to talk with employers who want to hire Ohio State graduates.