Kali Parrish: Hard work and determination are foundation of her success
by Aubrey Ellison, posted Nov. 18, 2011
At first glance, Kali Parrish might look like your typical MU aggie, but in reality, she is so much more.
“She is a blue-eyed girl with a Texas attitude from Washington, Mo., with long, curly hair,” said Destinee Keeling, a junior animal science major from Portsmouth, Va. “If she has something to say, she won’t hold it in.”
Parrish is a junior working toward an agribusiness management major and an animal science minor. Parrish is also the president and founder of MU’s Dairy Club.
“Dairy Club was founded in order to raise an interest of dairy at MU and increase the presence of dairy in Missouri youth, particularly college undergraduates,” Parrish said. “In November, we will celebrate our one-year anniversary. In the past year, we have had milk-and-cookies booths, milk-a-cow booths, dairy farm tours, youth agriculture education projects and a trip to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. We also welcome speakers to our meetings from the industry.”
Parrish spent a lot of time developing MU’s dairy club. There were many rules and regulations to be followed so that the club could be recognized as an official MU organization.
“We have had some speed bumps along the way,” Keeling said. “Kali is not the type to throw in the towel without a fight. Her determination inspires me.”
In November of 2010, the club became an official MU organization as MU Dairy Club.
“We hope to continue to learn everything we can and better the club as much as possible,” Parrish said. “The student interest and industry support has been wonderful, and I'm confident the dairy club will only go up from here.”
Parrish has recently received the 2011 Dairy Scholars Program award through CAFNR. The Dairy Scholars Program is an endowment by Mr. Ted Jacoby of T.C. Jacoby & Company. It supports four $1,000 scholarships for students with a specific interest in dairy science. Additionally, recipients spend one week in January learning about the dairy industry through company tours. The program is ancillary to the John Brown Scholars program, which allows students to learn about the agribusiness industry. Students who are awarded one of the four Dairy Industry Scholarships are required to have previously taken or be enrolled in Food Science 3231, Principles of Dairy Science, during the spring semester. More information on the Dairy Scholars Program can be found on the CAFNR website at http://cafnr.missouri.edu/academics/dairy-scholars.php.
Parrish has had a long-time interest in agriculture. She comes from a long line of farmers in her family and her former passion in agriculture was equine.
“Kali has always been interested in the agriculture industry, but mostly with horses,” said Kimber Parrish, Kali’s mother. “She would be in the barn from sunup to sundown working with horses. She was involved with showing, riding and working with horses.”
Parrish's focus has changed from equine to bovine, specifically dairy. Parrish wants to work in the dairy industry, as close to the farmer as possible. Her dream job is to be a field representative for Dairy Farmers of America.
“Kali worked for a vet, where her interest in the dairy industry began,” Kimber Parrish said. “She also works at MU’s dairy farm where she has furthered her interest. Kali has a big passion for the dairy industry and the farm life.”
Parrish is a very determined individual and she works hard to accomplish her goals.
“I would describe myself as a hard worker,” Parrish said. “I think that’s probably my best asset I have to offer. I’m the kind of person who has to get everything finished on time and the correct way. I tend to take on too much and get a little overwhelmed, but somehow I pull it off. There are days when I wonder why I take on a full course load, a job and being the president of an up-an-coming club, but it’s all so rewarding for me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Parrish completed an internship last summer with Dairy Farmer’s of America (DFA).
“It worked out really well and I was offered the opportunity to come back this next summer to further my training and take on a full-time position when I graduate,” Parrish said.
Parrish enjoys horseback riding, trap shooting, waterfowl hunting and hanging out with friends. She has one older brother, two younger brothers and a younger sister.
“My parents are very supportive and my siblings and I are all very close,” Parrish said. “We enjoy shooting clay birds together and watching movies. One of my favorite things to do when I go back home is to watch my younger siblings in their sports. My little brother is on a college golf team, the other marches in the band, and my little sister plays basketball. They’re all three very good at what they do, and I enjoy watching them compete.”
Keeling recalls a fond memory when first getting to know Parrish.
“My first memory of Kali was in chemistry lab, fall 2009,” Keeling said. “We had to heat water up to boiling temperature and Kali was impatient. She kept increasing the temperature on the Bunsen burner. I told her not to, but it didn’t matter. I knew this wouldn’t end well, so I stood back. Needless to say, chemistry labs with her were a blast … literally.”
Parrish has a fun personality and is an enjoyable person to be around, according to friends and family
“I’m the only person I know who has hit a Canadian Goose with their vehicle, while it was walking,” Parrish said. “I also don’t know how to tie my shoes the correct way, am scared to death of chickens and eat ketchup on just about everything.”
Parrish looks forward to her job as a field representative for DFA, as well continuing her involvement in the dairy industry.
“I really love cows and the dairy industry,” Parrish said. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this passionate about anything else. I’m completely cool with being the ‘Dairy Girl.’ There’s something about the people involved in the industry and just the industry as a whole that has me hooked.”
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