SPRING 2015

From the Desk of the Department Head Upcoming Events

May 2 May 9 June 22-26 June 29-30 July 6-16

Golf Tournament

Spring Graduation

Farm Safety Camp

4-H Vet Science

Camp

CASE Institute

It’s hard to imagine how far the Department of “Agriculture” has come since Arkansas Tech University was established as State Agriculture School, Second District in 1909. At its inception, agriculture was the cornerstone of the educational process and over the course of 100 plus years of “progress”, we lost our station. During this time, society evolved from agrarian culture to an industrial society. This led to the agriculture revolution, which was driven by war and the industrial revolution. This resulted in movement off the farm, fewer but larger farms, and increased yields producing enough food and fiber to support the growing urban populations. In 1960, U.S. farmers fed 25.8 people compared to today where they feed 155 worldwide. All of this to say things have changed. Agriculture is still a “player” employing 24 million Americans, which is 17% of the total U.S. work force. There is a bright future in agriculture.

At the heart of it all, whether it was 1909 or 2015, we have been and continue to be about celebrating our students, past and present. With our history in mind and an ever-evolving industry, we have many things to remember. The largest accomplishment is we continue to experience a trending increase in student numbers for our academic programs. We have approximately 254 students in the department now (46% increase compared to fall 2010), with the end goal of 500 students within the next three years. Wow! And the fact that we have experienced this growth with the same faculty and resources helps us understand and appreciate the dedication each of them has shown toward our student success.

We have many accomplishments to remember and celebrate, as you will read about in the pages of this first ever Department of Agriculture newsletter! Foremost are our students past and present, faculty and industry and community supporters for their activities, accomplishments and dedication to the success and advancement of the department. –Dr. Malcolm Rainey, Jr.

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ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Hughes Hall, Agriculture Living Learning Community What first began as a simple idea has become a great success for the Arkansas Tech Department of Agriculture. Tech’s first living learning community (LLC) began this fall for the agriculture department as approximately 50 students signed up to live within the hall. While living in the LLC in Hughes Hall, students have opportunities to attend study sessions with classmates and faculty, participate in interest groups, and interact with many of their peers. Resident assistants for the hall coordinate activities such as movie nights, cookouts and agriculturally focused events. Students have already begun signing up for housing for fall 2015, leaving the agriculture department hoping for more than 100 students to join the Hughes family this upcoming fall semester.

Congratulations to our December graduates!

Kramer Berry Zachary Brewer Rose Davis Justin Farmer Kody Griffin Allison Hart Jacob Irwin Zachary Johnson James Klober Calvin Manion

Christopher Mashburn James McKnight Westin Meyer Summer Nelson Elizabeth Pruitt Nathaniel Robertson Ashton Robinson Shay Steele Tori Waters

Hughes resident assistants (left to right) Kody Van Pelt, Lindsey Triplett, Kisia Weeks, and Reed Kelley pictured with university president, Dr. Robin Bowen (middle).

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

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Ag Alumnus Named Educator of the Year Arkansas Tech University alumnus, Kori Kimes, earned the

2014 educator of the year award from the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce. Kimes teaches agriculture and is the FFA advisor at Nemo Vista High School. He holds two degrees from Arkansas Tech, a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture business in 2010, and a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education in 2013.

Tech Represented at National FFA Convention

Collegiate FFA took five students; Amber Chesshir, Breana Langford, Candace Ruff, Meghan Smith, and Geoff Wilson, as well as CFFA advisor, Dr. Justin Killingsworth, to Louisville, Kentucky for the 2014 National FFA Convention. At the convention, students attended sessions and planned and managed the Arkansas booth in the “Hall of States”. Another Tech student, Lindsey Triplett, attended the convention as well. During it she received her American Degree, an honor that less than half of one percent of FFA members ever receive. Dr. Lucas Maxwell also attended the convention where he served as a judge for the first round of the agriculture issues career development event.

Arkansas Tech will host CASE (Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education) Plant Institute July 6-16. CASE is a professional development workshop to provide teachers training to a specific CASE course. The Principles of Agricultural Science – Plant™ course is intended to provide an overview of the field of agricultural science with a foundation in plant science so that students may continue through a sequence of courses through high school. Students will work on teams, explore hands-on projects and activities to learn the characteristics of plant science, and work on major projects and problems similar to those as plant science specialists. Registration is $2,500 per person and includes all training materials, access to laboratory equipment, lodging, and meals. For more information, contact Dr. Lucas Maxwell at lmaxwell2@atu.edu or visit www.atu.edu/case.

Arkansas Tech to Host CASE Institute

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY

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ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY Students Conduct Undergraduate Research

Tech agriculture students conducted three different research projects during 2014. Emily Kaufman and Sara Hoover worked alongside Dr. Williams and Dr. Brant to evaluate the “demand for and utilization of large animal veterinarians in Arkansas.” They presented their findings to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Animal Care Committee and at the 2014 spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. Miccah Bowen worked alongside Mr. Renfro to study genetically modified organisms usage in Yell, Conway, and Pope County. She was awarded the Outstanding Presenter award by Dr. Hemmati. Paige Tipton worked alongside Dr. Maxwell to study the benefits of higher education and hiring in the agricultural workforce. She also presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in Spring 2014.

Emily Kaufman, senior ag business animal science major, presented her findings in Atlanta, Georgia where she competed at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association’s annual meeting.

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activities. Make checks payable

to the Ag Department Foundation.

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Agriculture

Two of Six FFA State Officers Choose Tech

Becoming an Arkansas FFA state officer is a privilege that only six FFA members get to experience a year. Two of the six elected this past year found the Tech Department of Agriculture to be their home. Matthew Smith and Mark Dement were both selected in June 2014 to serve the Arkansas FFA Association; Matthew as state FFA reporter and Mark as the northwest district state vice president. Matthew is a freshman majoring in agriculture business public relations from Hermitage, Arkansas. Mark is a freshman majoring in agricultural education from Paris, Arkansas. This year they have traveled to different parts of the state, facilitated workshops for 9th though 12th grade FFA members, prepared and presented speeches for various audiences, visited with legislators and industry leaders, and went on school visits to high schools around the state. Matthew and Mark will hold their offices until June 2015 at the Arkansas FFA State Convention where they will formally retire. If you would like more information on Matthew, Mark, or Arkansas FFA, visit arkansasffa.org.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Matthew Smith (left) and Mark Dement (right).