Download a Program Information Sheet (pdf)

 

Catch up on the latest happenings by reading the Ag Science newsletter.  Just click on the image above to link to the Spring 2012 newsletter or visit the Newsletter Archive for past editions.

This past weekend, Truman State University Equestrian Team member Leslie Ulm competed in Walk/Trot Beginner Horsemanship at the 2012 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Western Semi-Finals in Harrington, Delaware.Placing 4th at semi-finals, she will now go on to compete at the IHSA National Championships this May in Raleigh, North Carolina. Again, congratulations Leslie!

 

Congratulations to Truman Agricultural Science Alumna Dr. Joann Kouba (B.S. 1993), who will receive the Outstanding Young Teacher Award from the American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association Midwest Sections in Des Moines, IA on March 21.  Kouba is an associate professor in the department of animal science and industry at Kansas State University.  Kouba’s focus is on equine reproduction.

Read more about her award at http://www.asas.org/takingstock/?p=2815.

 

 

Truman’s celebration of National Agriculture Week will conclude on Friday, March 16, with a chili cook-off and chili supper beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the University Farm (intersection of South Boundary St. and La Harpe St.).

Activities begin at 6:00 with a chili supper featuring a variety of chili soups prepared by Agriculture faculty and students, as well as sides and desserts.

The fun continues with live musical entertainment–barn style–from Dandelions Roar at 7:00 p.m. and a bonfire and hayrides throughout the evening.

$1 donation per person is requested for the Truman Ag Week philanthropy–Heifer International (www.heifer.org).

Agricultural Science seniors Cory Creed (Willard, MO) and Garrett Grider (Carrollton, MO) were among two dozen Truman students traveling to Jefferson City on February 22 for Capitol Appreciation Day.  Students presented posters detailing research and internship experiences that are an important part of the educational experience at Truman.

Cory and Garrett’s poster focused on their experience in the Agriculture Practicum course, the senior capstone for the Agriculture major.  Students in the Practicum course undertake a business project, research project, or feasibility study which requires them to draw on knowledge from past courses, utilize research skills, and collaborate with other group members and outside resources to bring their project to successful completion.  Corey and Garrett, who were assisted in preparation of their poster by fellow group member Casey Davis, are carrying out a project that involves growing popcorn and selling popped Kettle Corn.

The National FFA Organization is hosting a conference July 8-14 in Des Moines, IA for current college students (or those who graduated in December 2011) who plan or would like to pursue farming/ranching as a career.

 

 

The application and other information about the New Century Farmer Conference can be found online at:

https://www.ffa.org/events/conferences/NewCenturyFarmer/Pages/default.aspx# .

The conference is free for the top 50 applicants. The application deadline is Thursday, March 15, 2012.

 

Order your National Ag Week 2012 t-shirt.  A variety of Ag Week activities are planned for March 12-16, including Ag Week t-shirt day on Thursday March 15.  To order your shirt, bring $10 (if check, payable to Truman State University, with “Agriculture” and your shirt size in the memo line), to Marsha Redmon in Magruder Hall 3132 by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 29.  The shirts can be picked up from that same location the week of March 12.

Sodexo at Truman is seeking to hire a local foods coordinator to work on production and sourcing of locally-produced fruits and vegetables for campus dining services. This position is made possible by a USDA/MO Dept of Ag Specialty Crop Grant. This is a 32 hour/week position with health benefits and will last for approximately 48 weeks. A position description and application instructions can be downloaded at the Farm to School Program section of the Truman Agriculture website.

For the second year, the Agricultural Science department will offer internships in fruit and vegetable production and processing for Truman’s Farm to School Program. The internships are funded in part by a Specialty Crop Grant from the US Department of Agriculture and Missouri Department of Agriculture. Interns will work with the Truman Local Foods Coordinator and Farm Manager to grow fresh produce at the University Farm, with additional work experience on other vegetable farms in the area. Most of the produce will go to campus dining services, with some donated to local food pantries and some going to other outlets, such as wholesale produce markets.
The internships will be carried between May 14 and August 17. Applications are due February 29, 2012 and application instructions are available in the following file:
Internship Description-FINAL 2012.
If you have questions or need further information, contact Michael Seipel (Ag Science department chair) at mseipel@truman.edu.

Truman State University Agricultural Science department was an exhibitor at the 2012 NEMO Ag Show, held at the fairgrounds in Kirksville. Students from the Agriculture Practicum class and faculty members staffed the booth throughout the day, answering questions about the University Farm and Truman’s Agricultural Science major. Seniors Kathleen Keough and Kaity Strand surveyed visitors about their level of interest in a community horseback riding program at the University Farm. The data collected will be analyzed as part of a feasibility study that the students are completing for their Agriculture Practicum capstone project.