Seth Hoover

905 Idlewood Dr, Canton, GA 30115

Phone: 678-464-8949 E-Mail: shoover6@students.kennesaw.edu

Peace Corps Motivation Statement: Food Security Specialist in Zambia

Midway through high school I decided I wanted to make a living farming. The image of a selfreliant lifestyle, doing honest hard work, living close to the land while avoiding the fast paced
world was appealing. Realizing this lifestyle is not the reality of the modern farmer I began
conceptualizing my own ideas of what farming should look like. Later being introduced to
subjects such as sustainable agriculture and permaculture I felt my ideas had found legitimate
grounding.
Coupled with my passion to farm has been the desire to live an alternative lifestyle. To learn,
experience, travel and understand as much as possible about our world and do so in a
meaningful way. The values of the Peace Corps coincide in every way with these passions and
desires for life.
Im a student at Kennesaw State University majoring in Integrative Studies. I've designed my
degree to combine courses across several departments from Geography to Culinary
Sustainability & Hospitality, Biology, Environmental and Leadership Studies all linked through
common curriculum concentrating on sustainability and food in the local and globalized world.
My main focus has been understanding the interconnectivity between natural systems, food,
people and the environment. The goal has been to gain an all encompassing perspective by
studying the processes of production, consumption and disposal in a global, interdependent and
ecological context in order to make informed ethical decisions in the future about how to manage
land, resources and our lives.
In June 2015, I participated in a Permaculture Design Course in rural Wales, where my thoughts,
ideas and plans for the future began to merge once again. Emphasis was place on human
relations, education, training, information, cooperation, and concern for the community as much
as garden design. A change in perspective began to occur. The realization that education,
enlightenment of and understanding between peoples is just as important for the world as
ecological restoration through sustainable agriculture.
Joining the Peace Corps has always been a goal with the initial idea spanning back to high school
which over time has become reinforced in my mind as my education, skills, goals for the future
and perspective of the world have become more aligned with the Peace Corps mission and goals.
Recently I attend a panel discussion followed by a reception for Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet at
my university where she emphasized the importance of immersive cross-cultural communication.
This encounter reaffirmed my prior convictions on international service and encouraged me to
begin the application process.
In terms of overcoming obstacles while in service I have a range of life experience and skills that
has given me the confidence to thrive in and adapt to any situation. Ive traveled and studied
internationally multiple times, excelled as a non-conventional student, managed, trained, taught
and worked with a diverse group of people. Over the years I have gained knowledge and

Seth Hoover
905 Idlewood Dr, Canton, GA 30115
Phone: 678-464-8949 E-Mail: shoover6@students.kennesaw.edu

experience that makes me qualified and confident to promote, educate and participate in
activities to help improve and enhance the land, environment and the lives of others.
Qualifications

Permaculture Design Certificate

"A serious interest in farming as a lifestyle and livelihood"
Adapted, integrated and lived in new environments successfully with flexibility and patience
Informally studying Chinese Culture, Natural Farming, Sustainable Agricultural & Permaculture
Formally studying Geography, Sustainability & Asian Cultures
Experimenting with sustainable and regenerative growing techniques
Witnessed sustainable and unsustainable processes in the food service industry
Observed sustainable lifestyle practices in the US and abroad

Skills

Personable, hard working, reliable, self motivated and team oriented

Proven leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills
Effectively and efficiently able to manage people, time & tasks
Ability to engage people through mutual learning
Acquiring new skills by interactive and learned experiences

Education
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies; Minor in Asian Studies
December
2016: 123 Credit Hours
Focus Areas: Geography and Culinary Sustainability & Hospitality;
Concentrations: Food Systems, Sustainability, Environment,
Globalization, Human & Physical Geography

Certificates
Peace Corps Prep Program
Kennesaw State University
Global

12 Credit Hours; +30 Days Abroad

Engagement

Certificate

Kennesaw State University

Permaculture Design Course

June

2015: +72 Hours; 2 Week Course

Sector 39, Mid-Wales, UK

International Experience
Permaculture

June 2015: 16 Days

Study

Design

Course:

Mid-Wales,

UK

Studied sustainable design principles and presented final design project in rural Wales
Maintained an unfamiliar diet while living in unconventional accommodations
Formed international friendships and a network of cohorts through shared experiences and learning
Coped with expectations of a situation versus the reality with patience and understanding
Abroad
Europe:
Dublin,
Belgium,
Den
Haag
&
Amsterdam

May 2015: 20 Days

Stood out as a leader using skills from previous international travel experience

Handled stressful and unorganized situations with little available resources

Conducted surveys and collected data while engaging people on their perspectives towards the

environment
Maintained professional appearance and representative attitude in chaotic circumstances
Study
Abroad
China:
Beijing,
Shanghai,
Xian
&
Zhengzhou

May 2014: 28 Days

Gained confidence by interacting with and navigating through a new people, culture and cities

Adjusted to a different set of living conditions and cultural norms by embracing new experiences

While participating in and observing everyday life I acquired basic communication skills

Successfully led groups in unfamiliar situations and places while maintaining calm and confident

attitude

Seth Hoover
905 Idlewood Dr, Canton, GA 30115
Phone: 678-464-8949 E-Mail: shoover6@students.kennesaw.edu

Notable Projects & Relevant Courses

Economic Geography
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Fall 2015

Sustainable Facilities Design and Management

Fall 2015

Issues Surrounding Food Security: Presentation

Lectured and led class in discussion on food security from course readings
Focused on World Food Crisis, Industrial Agriculture, GMO's and the Western Diet Globalizing
Geography of Beer; Study Abroad
Summer 2015

The Geography of Beer Culture: Podcast

Presents concepts linking all of human culture, agriculture, and beer into one grand scheme
Incorporates ideas of how geography influences beer, and how beer influences culture
Geography of Europe; Study Abroad
Summer 2015

Sustainability at KSU
Spring 2015

E-Recycling & Compost Programs Proposal: Presentation

In charge of researching, creating, and presenting compost proposal

Designed a scalable operation by communicating with people across multiple organizations

Local & Global Sustainability
Spring 2015

Sustainable Agriculture: Service Learning Project

Gained volunteer experience at a small scale sustainable agriculture operation
Presented my reflection to class focusing on my local experience in a the global context
Introduction to Cartographic Processes
Fall 2014

Understanding Asia
Fall 2014

Cultural Presentations
Cultural Complexities in Singapore; and Women, Labor & Media in South Korea
World Regional Geography; Study Abroad
Summer 2014

Culture, Land Use & Agriculture; Observations in China: Presentation

Documented my observations and experiences of how culture and agriculture effect land use
Focuses on how agriculture in China has evolved to keep up with increasing urbanization
Geography of Asia; Study Abroad

Summer 2014

Cities & Trees; Observations in China: Presentation

Focuses on my observations of the integration of trees in cities and how this is reflective of Chinese
culture
Invited to present at KSU Young Scholars Symposium
Organic Agriculture and Beginners Bee Apiary
Spring 2014

Farms From Above; KSU Farm Analysis: Presentation

Used aerial photography and satellite images to show land use transformations at KSU farms

Demonstrated the power of easy to use information tools, Google Earth, in mapping and surveying
land use
Global Climate Change
Spring 2014

Nitrogen: Presentation

Took an all encompassing look at the nitrogen cycle and current disruptions to that cycle

Invited to present at KSU Young Scholars Symposium

Seth Hoover
905 Idlewood Dr, Canton, GA 30115
Phone: 678-464-8949 E-Mail: shoover6@students.kennesaw.edu

Other Professional Experience

Manager at Johnnys Pizza, Hickory Flat, GA

August

2011-Current: +4 Years

Earned management position with no previous job experience by anticipating the needs of others
Reduced waste and created savings
by implementing scrap dough save and recycle initiative
Actively train, teach, cooperate with and oversee staff members ranging in ages from 15 to 39
Lawn Maintenance Service, Self Employed

August

2011-August 2015: 4 Years

Seized an opportunity to supplement my income and become self employed

Created initial contract after careful planning and budgeting of investment capital and existing assets
Designed renewal contracts annually based on record keeping from the previous year(s)