“Ag Talk”--- Department of Agricultural Sciences

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Fall, 2006

 

Homecoming: Please see the attached flyer about all the activities surrounding our Homecoming breakfast, farm tours, luncheons, and the football game. Homecoming is Saturday, October 28 with game time at 2:00. The opening reception is at 8:30 in MSC with the Breakfast being served at 9:00 in the Texas Ballroom, 3rd floor of the MSC. Last year we had over 120 people attend the breakfast. Please plan on attending and renewing many old acquaintances and staying around to enjoy the farm tours to see all of the new upgrades to the Educational Farm facilities.

 

Greetings from the Ag Alumni President: IT'S TIME TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS YEAR'S TAMU HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A WELCOME TO YOU AND ALL FORMER AG STUDENTS & FACULTY TO HOMECOMING 2006.

WHETHER IT'S RELIVING MANY PAST MOMENTS IN YOUR COLLEGE YEARS WITH OLD FRIENDS OR VISITING WITH FORMER ACQUAINTANCES IT SHOULD BE A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR ALL.

DR C. PAT BAGLEY AND HIS STAFF HAS PUT TOGETHER HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES EVERYONE WILL WANT TO SHARE.

A GOAL OF THE TAMU AGRICULTURE EX-STUDENTS ASSOCIATION IS TO GET INCREASED INVOLVEMENT INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY. ATTENDING HOMECOMING 2006 IS A GOOD WAY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.

AGAIN, MARK YOUR CALENDARS TODAY FOR HOMECOMING 2006, Oct. 28, 2006

SINCERELY,

CLIFFORD SWIRCZYNSKI, AG ALUMNI PRESIDENT, 2005-2006

 

Construction Projects at the Educational Farm:  This year has been a year for building like none other in recent memory. It seems like all summer was spent planning, getting bids, constructing, and paying for all the new facilities of the Department. Listed below, in the order of their completion, are the projects which have been undertaken and/or completed.

 

Artificial Wetlands and Native Prairie Restoration: Located just south of campus and Hwy 50 below the Holiday Lodge motel and on the west side of the 4-lane highway is the new “Artificial Wetlands and Native Prairie Restoration” site. This area is in the flood plain of the South Sulphur River and is flooded or under water much of the winter months; at least those winters when it rains. Often there are hundreds of ducks in the 30 ac area, but because of the grass in the field, most people do not see the ducks and other wildlife. A student in Wildlife and Conservations Sciences, Emerson Adams, put together a project proposal for constructing several shallow ponds that would hold water to provide an improved duck habitat with aquatic plants for their consumption. On the adjacent 22 ac site just north of the wetlands where the Native Prairie Restoration area will be located will be viewing areas. There is a line of trees in the fence row between the two areas that will serve as a shield between people viewing the site and the ducks, geese, turtles, deer and other wildlife that will be attracted to the area. We have already noticed an increase in certain species in the area, and expect many more once the rains fill the ponds this winter. The ponds are fitted with valves to control the flow of water so that ponds do not become too full.

            The Native Prairie Restoration site will also have a number of native species of grasses and forbs planted on it to evaluate these as wildlife food plots, and this should increase the number and variety of wildlife species on the site. In addition, the pond is scheduled for renovation on the upland site to increase its water holding capacity (beavers have destroyed the dam) and this pond can be used as a source of water for the wetlands pools below the pond.

            We greatly appreciate the time and effort that Emerson Adams put into this project and are delighted with the outcome. The co-directors of this project are Dr. David Crenshaw, Department of Agricultural Sciences and Dr. Jeff Kopachena, Department of Biological Sciences. In addition to the University, other cooperators on the project included U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and Natural Resources Conservation Services.  

 

 

 

Goat Research Facility: The sheep herd at Commerce was dispersed and replaced with a goat herd. Several factors were involved in this decision, but primarily were due to the general decline in sheep numbers in Northeast Texas, and the dramatic increase in goats, and particularly Boer goats in this area of Texas. We were fortunate that several goat producers offered to donate a number of Boer goats to get the program underway, costing the University very little. With the closure of the dairy, the field on the east side of HWY 50 which was a dairy pasture was turned into 12 2-ac grazing paddocks for goat research and herd maintenance. The University also purchased and erected a metal building that was erected in August, 2006 along with pens and corrals that were purchased for the facility to make it functional. As shown above, classes in the department have already begun to use the facility as part of their class work and training.

            The goat research effort has increased with the signing of a “Memorandum Of Understanding” with Langston University, Langston OK and the Kiki de la Garza National Goat Research Lab. Additionally, scientists are cooperating with the Noble Foundation in Ardmore OK to conduct research on new forage varieties, including a “non-toxic” tall fescue and a variety of Round-Up Ready Alfalfa. Those studies will be conducted this fall and spring.

 

Equine Arenas: After three years of planning and fund raising, this summer the two equine arenas were constructed. The site is at the Education Farm just west of the main classroom and facilities. The site was leveled by moving over 30,000 yds of dirt, planned by the Landscape Architect that the University hired. While not readily visible from the highway, it is easily seen once you drive up to the site, and the view from the arena overlooking the area down below is one of the prettiest sites in the area. The excavation of the site will allow for the roofline of the planned enclosed arena to be

the same approximate height of the existing building, so from the highway, the new arena will not dwarf the other facilities. Currently, all dirt work is completed, and the University is out on bids for all the panels and corrals. This will include a small arena primarily used for classroom and teaching purposes that is 130 x 140 ft with an attached round pen. The second arena is a large roping arena that is 140 ft by 265 ft and can be used for all manners of equestrian events. These two arenas are connected by a series of panels, and the small classroom arena is connected to a barn which is planned to be the primary stall barn area to keep horses.

            The Equine advisory committee has raised over $150,000 to build these facilities and will soon move into the next phase of the program. Currently, the primary focus is on raising additional funds to purchase stalls for the horses, and sets of saddles with tack, and for a 120 x 140 ft small covered arena with lights and speakers for equine classes. The final priority will be to construct the large covered arena that will be approximately 150 ft x 375 ft and will cover the large roping arena as well as horse stalls, classrooms and offices as related to the equine program.

 

 

Ag Building Landscaping:  The current campus landscaping effort was initially started when the Ag Department began landscaping around the building. Much of this work was done by students in the horticulture classes and labs and was conducted as part of their classwork. Generally, the design work was done in the classroom, and then the students actually put in the plants and hardscape as part of their laboratory for the class. This area has become a frequent site of student visitation, whether after a hard test or just as a place to sit and chat. Seen in the photo is an old iron plow which was donated to the department by Leonard and Sandy Threlkeld as one of many donations the couple has made to the Department. They also are very active members of the Equine Advisory Committee.

            Most of the plants in the horticultural accent area have been donated by local businesses that have been most generous. And in addition to the landscaped area in front of the Ag Building, other donors helped in developing a golf putting green and sand trap at the Agronomy-Horticulture Farm. The practice putting green and sand trap were constructed in conjunction with the A&M-Commerce Golf Team, but there are several ag faculty and students who also plan on practicing there as well. The practice facility is at the Agronomy-Horticulture Unit.

            As you may know, the Dean’s Office for Arts and Sciences is also located in the AG/ IT Building. After seeing the work of the students in the horticulture class, last spring the Dean requested the class to also design and build an accent area on that end of the building. The class worked most of the early part of the semester in designing the area, and choosing suitable plants for this location. Some areas catch the hot afternoon sun, while others are in almost complete shade all day long. This required the class to thoroughly know plants and their requirements for sunlight, and for water and their heat tolerance. Since the installation of the area last May, 2006, the Dean and the class have received many, many compliments over the design and beauty of the area.

 

 

 

Mexican Expedition: For the 3rd year in a row, the Department of Agricultural Sciences taught a class in Central Mexico. The professor and students spend approximately 3 weeks in Mexico taking a class and traveling around the country. The class taught this past year was “International Agricultural” and primarily focused on the differences in agriculture and society between the U.S. and the rest of the world, and particularly our largest agricultural trading partner, Mexico.

            In the picture at left, the students had a surprise birthday party for one of our students. The student later said it was the neatest birthday he had ever had. A total of 14 students and one professor went on the trip, and again this year, there were no major problems encountered on the entire trip. The headquarters for the group was Puebla, Mexico, about 50 miles south of Mexico City. Puebla is a city of approximately 3 million people, but is much smaller than Mexico City and its population of 23 million people. This is in contrast to the 21 million people that live in the entire state of Texas.

            While in Mexico, agricultural tours and trips were made to Cholula, Taxco, Acapulco, Cuetzalan, Oaxaca, and Tlaxacala. In addition, several farming areas in and around Puebla were visited. The climate in this area is quite nice. The last full day the group was in Puebla the high temperature was 650F, which was a bit cooler than the normal highs of 75 to 780F which are usually seen in this area in the summer months of May and June. This trip is under the auspices of the International Studies program at Commerce. Of the $1200 the trip costs per student, Mr. Joe Hinton has given a scholarship to each student for $700, which greatly increases the number of students who can participate in the trip each year.

 

  Delta Tau Alpha National Convention: The Department of Agricultural Sciences began sponsoring a chapter of Delta Tau Alpha in 2002. This is a nationally recognized honor society with 32 Universities having chapters in the U.S. For the first time, the National Convention of DTA was held on the A&M Commerce campus, with over 120 students participating in the conference. While the DTA chapter had planned an Ag Olympics and outdoor barbeque for the afternoon and evening, it rained 8 inches that day resulting in the Ag Olympics being moved inside along with the opening barbeque. However, our spirits were not dampened, and the Commerce DTA Chapter went on to host the 2nd largest DTA convention ever. And in addition to this, of the six National officers for DTA coming into that meeting, two were A&M Commerce students, including the first African American student ever elected to a national office.

 

 

Livestock Judging Team-2006: The story of the happenings in the Department of Agricultural Sciences would be incomplete without discussing the celebrated Livestock Judging team. The team won many awards and contests and traveled to many competitions. Many donors gave money to the team to support their travel, as did the University, but that was not adequate to fund all the travels of the team. To raise money to travel and compete even more, the Livestock Judging Team cleaned out the football stadium every Friday night and Saturday night after either a Commerce High School or A&M-Commerce football game.

            The hard work and efforts of these men and one young lady paid off---the team placed 7th nationally at the Louisville, KY National Livestock Judging contest. The team competed against all the major Universities of the U.S. and beat many of the land grant universities, and was the highest placing non-land grant University in the contest. This team certainly brought recognition and distinction to the University, and were some of the finest ambassadors our University has produced.

 

 

Recruiting and Student Numbers: The faculty of the Department of Agricultural Sciences each year selects 10 outstanding student leaders and scholars to be “Ag Ambassadors.” These students appear at University Day, give tours to high school and transfer students visiting our campus, and each one will make at least two visits to area high school to recruit students to A&M Commerce. While we have an excellent faculty here at Commerce, the faculty recognizes that a high school senior would much rather talk to an Ag Ambassador, someone close to their own age, than to a faculty member. Faculty usually report that on these recruiting trips that they spend their time talking to the parents, while the Ag Ambassadors spend time talking to the prospective students.

            The entire faculty spends time on the recruiting trail, and those results are paying off. According to the “Crystal Report” of the University, there were 194 majors in the fall of 2002. Currently, there are over 360 ag students listed on our advising list. And while enrollment in the University as a whole is flat, the student credit hour production in the Department of Agricultural Sciences appears to be up about 8%.  While we are happy with this increase, we plan to continue our efforts to continue to build a larger program.

 

Student Publications and Presentations: Our students have been quite active in both publishing research material and in presenting posters and abstracts at conferences. Below is a list of those presentations over the past two years.

 

Green, Jennifer, Derald A. Harp, and Kevin Ong.  2006.  Comparison of Phytophthora Disease Incidence in Composted Pine Bark Mixes to Chemical and Biological Controls.  ASHS National Conference, New Orleans, LA

Harp, Derald A., Kenneth Byrd, Lonna Jochetz, and Demorise Smith.  2006.  Comparison of Slow-Release and Water-Soluble Fertilizers for Greenhouse Production of Impatiens, Dianthus, and Pansy.  Proceedings of the 2005 Southern Nurseryman Association Research Conference.

Harp, Derald A., Kevin Ong, and Kristen McDowell.  2006.  Influence of Compost Type on Bermudagrass Invasion.  Proceedings of the 2005 Southern Nurseryman Association Research Conference.

Richardson, Jade, Jeff Kopachena, and Derald A. Harp.  2006.  Analyses of Soil Properties Associated with Nest Sites in Interior Least Terns.  Texas Wildlife Society Annual Meeting.  Corpus Christi, TX

Derald A. Harp and Kristen McDowell.  2005.  Quantifying Building Microclimates and Plant Cold Injury.  ASHS National Conference, Las Vegas, NV

McDowell, Kristen L., Kevin Ong, and Derald A. Harp.  2004.  Effect of compost type on Bermudagrass Invasion.  HortScience.

Johnson, Lindsey and C.P.Bagley. 2006. Great explanations: Reusable learning objects. NACTA J. (submitted)

Earley, Luz Elenia, C. P. Bagley and Elizabeth Wickett. 2006. Transitioning ESL students (Spanish speakers) into successful agricultural projects. NACTA J. (submitted)

Lohaus, Melinda, C. P. Bagley, Lauren Foster, B. C. Housewright, and M. E. McCormick. 2006. Influence of harvest time on three bermudagrass cultivars. I. Chemical analysis and digestion rate. TX J. of Ag. and Nat. Resour. (submitted)

Foster, Lauren, C. P. Bagley and Melinda Lohaus. 2006. Influence of harvest time on three bermudagrass cultivars. II. Preference by horses. TX J. of Ag. and Nat. Resour. (submitted)

Becker, W.D., B. C. Housewright, D. A. Harp and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Anhydrous ammonia injection into polyethylene silage bags to enhance forage quality attributes. TX J. of Ag. and Nat. Resour. (submitted)

Lohaus, M.A.,C.P. Bagley, and M.E. McCormick. 2004. Quality and preference characteristics of three bermudagrass hays for equine. Amer. For. Grassl. Conf. 13: 325.

Foster, Lauren and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Bermudagrass variety and harvest time as affecting hay preference and digestion rates. Amer. Forage and Grasslands Conference Proceedings. 15:260-264.

Becker, Wayne and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Injecting anhydrous ammonia into polyethylene silage bags to enhance quality characteristics. Amer. Forage and Grasslands Conference Proceedings. 15:265-269.

Earley, Luz Elenia, C. P. Bagley and Elizabeth Wickett. 2004. Transitioning ESL students (Spanish speakers) into successful agricultural projects. Poster presentation, Chancellor’s Conf., Houston, TX. June 23, 2004.

Morales, Linda, Leah Wickersham and C.P. Bagley. 2004. Great explanations: Reusable learning objects. Poster presentation, Chancellor’s Conf., Houston, TX. June 23, 2004.

Ellason, C.S. and C.P. Bagley. 2004. Influence of bermudagrass variety and harvest time on quality and preference by beef steers. 2nd Ann. TAMUS Pathways Res. Symp. Oct. 15-16, 2004. Corpus Christi. P. 1.

Earley, Luz E. and C.P. Bagley. 2004. Linguistic and textual English/Spanish resource development for bilingual entities in academia, the agricultural industry, and international travel. . 2nd Ann. TAMUS Pathways Res. Symp. Oct. 15-16, 2004. Corpus Christi. P. 10.

Mei-Ying, Lin, C.P. Bagley, Linda Morales, Sharon Chambers, Leah Wickersham and. 2004. Great Explanations: Reusable learning objects. 2nd Ann. TAMUS Pathways Res. Symp. Oct. 15-16, 2004. Corpus Christi. P. 26.

Morales, Linda, Leah Wickersham and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Great explanations: Reusable learning objects. Student Research Competition, TAMU-Commerce; Oct 27, 2005.

Becker, Wayne and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Injecting anhydrous ammonia into polyethylene silage bags to enhance quality characteristics. Student Research Competition, TAMU-Commerce; Oct 27, 2005.

Johnson, Lindsey and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Protein quality lectures enhanced with reusable learning objects. Student Research Competition, TAMU-Commerce; Oct 27, 2005.

Duncan, Ashley and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Evaluation of forages for their potential in creep grazing beef calves. Student Research Competition, TAMU-Commerce; Oct 27, 2005.

Earley, Luz Elenia, C. P. Bagley and Elizabeth Wickett. 2005. Transitioning ESL students (Spanish speakers) into successful agricultural projects. Student Research Competition, TAMU-Commerce; Oct 27, 2005.

Ellason, C.S. and C.P. Bagley. 2004. Influence of bermudagrass variety and harvest time on quality and preference by beef steers. Student Research Competition, TAMU-Commerce; Oct 27, 2005.

Lohaus, M.A. and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Horse hay preference as influenced by forage variety and harvest time. 3rd Pathways Symposium. Kingsville, TX. Nov 4-5, 2005.

Foster, Lauren and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Bermudagrass variety and harvest time as affecting hay preference and digestion rates. 3rd Pathways Symposium. Kingsville, TX. Nov 4-5, 2005.

Becker, Wayne and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Injecting anhydrous ammonia into polyethylene silage bags to enhance quality characteristics. 3rd Pathways Symposium. Kingsville, TX. Nov 4-5, 2005.

Johnson, Lindsey and C.P. Bagley. 2005. Protein quality lectures enhanced with reusable learning objects. 3rd Pathways Symposium. Kingsville, TX. Nov 4-5, 2005.

Martel, Adelene and C. P. Bagley. 2006. Influence of hay harvest time on preference by horses and digestion rates. 2nd Ann. Sigma Xi student competition poster session. Commerce, April, 2006.

Chappell, John and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Use of T3 cell isolates to enhance immune response in beef steers. 2nd Ann. Sigma Xi student competition poster session. Commerce, April, 2006.

Johnson, Lindsey and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Protein quality lectures enhanced with reusable learning objects. 2nd Ann. Sigma Xi student competition poster session. Commerce, April, 2006.

Carmichael, LaCresha and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Price premiums and differentials for preconditioned cattle sold at special auction sales. 4th Pathways Symposium. Prairie View, TX. Nov 10-11, 2006.

Muller, M.A. and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Importance of beef quality assurance in demanding price premiums form producers or buyers. 4th Pathways Symposium. Prairie View, TX. Nov 10-11, 2006.

Chappell, John and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Use of T3 cell isolates to enhance immune response in beef steers. 4th Pathways Symposium. Prairie View, TX. Nov 10-11, 2006.

Martell, Adelene and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Novelty Infected tall Fescue for performance and preference by goats. 4th Pathways Symposium. Prairie View, TX. Nov 10-11, 2006.

Junell, Brittney and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Effects of Anhydrous Ammonia on bagged silage as influenced by moisture content and timing. 4th Pathways Symposium. Prairie View, TX. Nov 10-11, 2006.

Foster, Lauren and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Bermudagrass variety and harvest time as affecting hay preference and digestion rates. Amer. Forage and Grasslands Conference Proceedings. San Antonio, TX, March 13-16, 2006.

Becker, Wayne and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Injecting anhydrous ammonia into polyethylene silage bags to enhance quality characteristics. Amer. Forage and Grasslands Conference Proceedings. San Antonio, TX, March 13-16, 2006.

Johnson, Lindsey and C. P. Bagley. 2006. Improving Information Retention on Protein Quality and Utilization by Utilizing Reusable Learning Objects in Self-Help Tutorials. Sigma Xi Res. Conf. Texas A&M-Commerce, April 20, 2006. 3rd Place in competition.

Becker, Wayne, Chappell, John and C. P. Bagley. 2006. Injecting Anhydrous Ammonia into Polyethylene Silage Bags to Enhance Forage Quality Attributes and Measure Silage Preference by Heifers. Sigma Xi Res. Conf. Texas A&M-Commerce, April 20, 2006. 2nd Place in competition.

Foster, Lauren, Martel, Adelene, B. C. Housewright and C.P. Bagley. 2006. Horse Preference and Digestion Rates of Hays as Influenced by Bermudagrass Variety and Harvest Time. Sigma Xi Res. Conf. Texas A&M-Commerce, April 20, 2006. 2nd Place in competition.

 

 

Ag Alumni Forum:  In 2006, the Department of Agricultural Sciences “Alumni Ambassador” was Russell Graves, a graduate of Texas A&M-University-Commerce, and a High School Ag Teacher in Childress, TX. Russell is also deeply committed to educating people about the value of wildlife and its conservation and agriculture. He was nominated in 1999 and 2000 for the coveted Conservation Educator of the Year by the Texas Section of the Wildlife Society and the Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. In 2000, he was named Region 1 Conservation Educator of the Year by Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. In both 2001 and 2003, Russell was named Texas Agriscience Teacher of the Year.

 

Scholarship Recipients for 2005-2006:  Due to the benevolence of our alumni, we have increased the number of scholarships the Department is able to give out each year. There is a great deal of need in our Ag students, and we estimate that approximately 80% of our students majoring in agriculture also work to support their education. The generosity of our alumni is  helping these students to reach their goals in life. The list of students receiving scholarships is”

Julie Gough Memorial Endowment                Stacey Chuck and            Joe Cheatham

Dwight & Pamela York Endowment                                         Sara Hurst

Bank One Ag Scholarship                                                         Joanna Robertson

Farm Boy Scholarship                                                              Johnny Hill

Red River Limousin Association Endowment                             Chris Gilbreath

R. A. Rix Endowment                                                               Jessica Jobe

A. C. (Buck) Hughes Endowment                                             Pam Bullard

Norman Quarles Scholarship                                                    Lawrence Garcia

Jim Sprague Memorial Scholarship                                            Misty Lair

 

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Endowment:

Maggie Abernathy, Curtis Bentley, Tamera Brigance, Pamela Bullard, Jennifer Carter, Maryann Coody, Kalie Cook, Aaron Cosper, Rebecca Curry, Ashley Daniels, Morgan Davenport, Ashley Duncan, Matthew Echols, Jennifer Fagan, Holly Franklin, Ashley Gaddis, Lawrence Garcia, Chris Gilbreath, Traci Green, Faith Henderson, Mathieu Herbelin, Stephanie Herreros, Aaron Hudson, Jamie Hulsey, Sara Hurst, Jessica Jobe, Lonna Jochetz, Chris Johnson, Brittney Junell, Natasha King, Sarah Lambino, Sandy Lomeli, Heather McCarty, Shelly Mowrey, Lyall Murdock, Krista Owen, Vito Peri, Amy Poole, William Powell, Kaci Reed, Micah Rich, Jade Richardson, Keri Richmond, Dustin Rockwall, Chivon Ruddock, Holly Sagley, Anna Salinas, Jennifer Schneider, Brandi Schronk, Soh Yee See, Louisa Sidwa, Lisa Somerville, Michal Sorrells, Alexandria VonAusdall, Elizabeth Walker, Cody Welborn, Jamie White,  and Bruce Worley.

 

 

Scholarships and Donations: The Department of Agricultural Sciences has been truly blessed with the number of scholarships it is able to award. For many years, the Department has been able to give the R.A. Rix Scholarship. The A.C. (Buck) Hughes Scholarship, the Norman Quarles Scholarship, and the Jim Sprague Memorial Scholarship, along with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarships. In the past four years, with the generosity of our alumni, we have also added the following scholarships:

Julie Gough Memorial Endowment

Farm Boy Scholarship

Dwight & Pamela York Endowment

Red River Limousin Association Endowment

Bank One Ag Scholarship

 

However, as great as the past 4 years have been at increasing the number of scholarships given to our students, THIS FALL ALONE we will give for the first time the following scholarships to students:

            Paul J. Wilde Memorial Ag Endowment, $25,000 endowment

Marsena Norris Memorial Scholarship, $10,000 endowment.

Charlie and Sharon Huffman Smith Scholarship, $10,000 endowment

Sandy and Leonard Threlkeld Scholarships- Two endowments of $10,000 each

 

In addition, the Livestock Group, NETBIO (Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization) began giving 2 or 3 scholarships to A&M-Commerce students in 2004. The Northeast Texas Health Science Consortium will give two $5,000 scholarships each to A&M Commerce students for the first time this fall.

 

            The list of donors to the Department of Agricultural Sciences is most impressive. The list is too long to print here, and a number of the donors wish to remain anonymous and we will respect those wishes. However, the Equine project has been solely funded to date through private contributions in excess of $130,000 in cash, with University funding participating in the current projects. The Artificial Wetlands Project was primarily funded by outside agencies. Most of the goats we have on the farm are donated goats, and the entire swine herd is all donated pigs. And if you have not seen the quality of these pigs lately, you can either see them at the farm or standing at the top of the line at livestock shows around the state. Additionally, almost everyone of the over 40 horses the University owns was donated, along with tack, saddles, feed, etc.

            The University accepts a number of “Gifts in-Kind” which includes all non-cash gifts such as livestock, tractors, feed, supplies, etc. Usually each year, the Department of Agricultural Sciences accounts for over 90% of the total in-kind gifts that the University receives. Simply put, without your help and support, the department could not continue to grow and expand its programs as it has. The University is very supportive of our programs in agriculture, but funding is limited. We appreciate your generosity in the past, and are hoping to work with more of you in the future.

           

            Our alumni have been some of the most dedicated people the University has, and your support and participation have helped the Department make great strides over the years. To view more about the Department of Agricultural Sciences, I would invite you to go to our web site at http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/agscience/.  The Department continues to have one of the highest rates of student retention in the University, in large part due to the many activities the Department conducts. We put on a “Welcome Back” barbeque at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters; we conduct a “Scavenger Hunt” to get students working together, and we have many clubs and organizations who are active in many, many activities. Your input is always welcomed, and I invite you to drop in and see the excitement and activities around the Department.