2022 Our Valley Our Future Achievement in Agriculture Award
“Extremely capable. Self-motivated. Goal-oriented. Kind and compassionate. She’s just a star.”
Those glowing words of La Conner’s School Counselor Lori Buher are used to describe Charity-Dakota Jordan.
Jordan aims to be a large animal veterinarian after graduating in six years from WSU. Her path is accelerated as a Running Start student who will graduate high school with an AA degree in hand.
She is entering the veterinarian field at a time when studies show a shortage of vets. Researchers project that by 2030, 75 million pets will be without medical care.
The shortage of companion animal veterinarians is already putting pressure on large animal vets, widely effecting farms across the nation.
Love of Animals
The life-long Skagit Valley resident said she came to love animals working on her father’s farm, tending a herd of as many as 40 goats, providing vaccinations, milking and helping birth kids.
“I found that I loved being around animals and knowing how to care for them. I was a member of 4-H with goats for four years,” Jordan said.
She shadowed her own family’s preferred veterinarian, learning about the agricultural and veterinary business.
Rigorous Schedule
Her mother, Buher said, was concerned about the time Jordan spent in 4-H and on the farm, given her rigorous academic schedule.
“She asked me ‘Is Charity doing alright? Every afternoon she’s going to those goats.’,” Buher said, adding she understood the concern, but Jordan was up to the challenge.
She was not only up to the challenge, but she excelled in everything she did. As a middle school student she twice attended the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition in Washington D.C.
She is a National Honor Society member and was selected to attend the Duke University Talent Identification Program, and has multiple varsity letters for both sports and volunteerism.
The straight-A student plays percussion in the school band and was in cheer for two years.
Dakota credits Buher for her support. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the district that has done as much for me.” Her music and English teachers and cheer coach were also instrumental, she said.
As a young woman with Indonesian heritage, she hopes to inspire other women and minorities to the male-dominated careers in animal science.
“My goal is to come back and work to serve our community in Skagit Valley,” she said.