President’s award 2013 Spring 2013
Grand
D
uring the Leadership Seminars, two brothers were honored with the Grand President’s Award. This year’s winners were Cody Lane and Adam Putnam. Administered and nominated by a selection committee, the Grand President’s Award is awarded by AGR for business excellence and professional achievement. It is awarded to specific Fraternity alumni age 40 or under who have achieved remarkable success in their professional careers.
Cody Lane is a sales agent for BBC, Inc., an animal healthcare sales and
marketing agency. He has associate’s degrees in agriculture business and farm and ranch management, both from Weatherford College. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University. Lane has been significantly involved with his community. He is involved with his local church, serves as a board of trustee member for the school district where his children attend, and serves as a member and officer on the local youth stock show in his county. Companies Lane has represented have been recognized for many achievements throughout his career in the animal health sector. These awards include Walco International Vendor of the Year in 2007 and 2009, Dealer Segment Vendor of the Year as well as Poultry and Swine Segment Vendor of the Year in 2011, and in 2012 was awarded Product of the Year. Also in 2012, Lane was given the Honorary Chapter Farmer Award by Brock FFA. His contributions to agriculture are evident through his profession in the animal health industry and his work with local 4-H and FFA. Lane interacts with students, encouraging the ag industry’s future leaders. He is involved at the local and state levels promoting agriculture through stock shows and judging contests. In 2012, he was the chairman for the inaugural Brock Livestock Show where he helped raise more than $30,000 for scholarships for local students. As an alumnus, Lane has remained involved with the National Fraternity in a number of ways. To name a few, he held a position as chapter consultant for the Home Office from 1998 until 2000; he has served on the Leadership Seminar planning committee since 2000; and he has served as Regional Vice President to the south central region since 2002. In 2004, he was named as one of AGR’s Brothers of the Century. Locally, he has been a chairman for Beta Sigma Chapter’s educational foundation since 2002 and has served as Beta Sigma’s alumni board president from 2000 until 2002. In 2002, he was also named AGR Beta Sigma Alumnus of the Year. 2013 Grand President’s Award Winners...Front Volunteer Spotlight...2 Honors & Awards...3 2013 Undergraduate Directors...4 Alpha Gamma Rho Day in Georgia’s Capitol...5 Field Man to CEO...5 The Ultimate Rush...6 AGR Author...6 On the Move...7 Take Your Pic[k] Contest Winners...back
Adam Putnam is the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. He has a
Bachelor of Science degree in food and resource economics from the University of Florida. Putnam has been recognized for many of his contributions to agriculture and his community throughout his career. He served five terms as congressman for Florida’s 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 2001 until 2011. He was recognized as a leader on a variety of issues, including water, energy and government transparency and efficiency. He was also acknowledged for his efforts to bring comprehensive restoration to the Everglades, reform food safety laws, modernize programs to ensure Florida agriculture remains a leader throughout the nation and increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables to counter childhood obesity. While in Congress, Putnam was elected by his peers to serve as the Republican Policy Chairman during the 109th congress and chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 110th congress, the highest elected leadership position any Floridian of either party has held in Washington. Additionally, he served as a member of the House Committees on Government Reform, Agriculture, Rules and Financial Services. Putnam has remained involved with AGR in a number or capacities. In 2004, he was named one of AGR’s Brothers of the Century. He also served Alpha Gamma Chapter’s alumni corporation as alumni vice president and served the National Fraternity as a Vanguard Volunteer. He has also spoken to Alpha Gamma Chapter, both formally and informally, in regard to a number of current events and issues, encouraging brothers to be informed and to get involved with issues that affect their future.
CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
CHAPTER: Gamma Delta UNIVERSITY: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College # OF UNDERGRADUATES: 49 WEBSITE: abacagr.com
How does your Chapter utilize AGR’s Promise and Values? The best way to utilize anything is to make it practical. At every Chapter meeting, we share a quote that goes along with a specific part of the purpose or charge, really anything related to AGR. This is a reminder to each brother to actually live out the Promise and Values of our great Fraternity. What goals does your Chapter have for this year and how do you plan to accomplish them? We recently had our first strategic planning session, so we have many goals we are working towards. One of the biggest we are working toward right now is raising $4,500 for our next biannual barrel race. Every dollar raised goes toward a nonprofit organization. If we reach our goal, we will more than double what we have raised before. Another goal we are working toward is growing our recruitment plan. We have a great opportunity because our school is a small agricultural college. We are working on a plan to specifically target all incoming agriculture majors first followed by other majors. Although the rest of the country may not know about ABAC, it is a well known college in the southeast. We are looking to go out to nearby high schools and convince people not only to attend the college, which offers many opportunities, but also to join AGR. What makes your Chapter different from others? I think one thing that is definitely apparent is how young we are. Besides that, I think the number of leaders we have in our group is incredible. Some of them do not realize it, so we have the opportunity to help guys recognize their abilities to lead. Another thing is that we have an outstanding adviser. We have been blessed with someone as experienced as Mr. Paul Willis. He has been a great help with this Chapter.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
What unique traditions does your Chapter celebrate? After each event we all gather in a circle and sing (attempt to sing anyway) “Welcome to the Farm” by Luke Bryan. It was started before I joined, and I don’t know why we do it, but we always do. Another thing we have is a giant axe. We made it as a prop for a hay bale decorating contest, and it has been hanging on the wall ever since then. All of the original colony members have signed it. It serves as a reminder of where we started.
How many brothers live in the house? We live in a designated section of the dorms. There are 24 brothers living in the six rooms we have. If your Chapter had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of the year, what would it be? It would most likely be low country boil. We seem to cook that more than anything else. It gets better every time. We owe Christopher Earls and Kendall Cooper a big thanks for cooking that once or twice a semester.
PROFILE: Bruce Roberts CHAPTER: Alpha Sigma (Fresno State) HOMETOWN: Fresno, Calif. SERVES AS: Chapter Adviser at Alpha Sigma Chapter What is your most treasured possession? My Winchester Model 101, Over-and-Under 20 gauge shotgun. I love the feel and balance of this little shotgun whether on a field outing or just polishing the wood and steel of this man-made piece of perfection. Who inspires you? Everyone who fights the good fight, even when there isn’t a chance of winning. There are many individuals who serve as mentors and have inspired and encouraged me. The list is long, but one stand outs: Norman Borlaug, who I met and shook his hand after a seminar at Berkeley. The dean of the College of Natural Resources introduced me and a colleague to Dr. Borlaug as “Captains of his Green Revolution” because of our careers in extension and applied research to improve agriculture. We were both inspired by Dr. Borlaug’s talk where he told the audience to “reach for the stars, because even if you don’t catch one, you’ll get some star dust on you.”
Tell us something that surprised you about becoming an AGR. How accepted and appreciated the brothers made me feel as an alumnus initiate and as their adviser. I was also surprised to learn about the rich legacy AGR alumni have made on American Agriculture. How has AGR contributed to your professional development? I have to say that being associated with AGR has deepened my understanding of young college students. I can relate to the pressures and distractions that my students are under today, and this makes me a better teacher. I have also gained from new friendships and connections made with AGR alumni.
What do you value in your friends? Honesty, reliability and forgiveness
What has been the most rewarding aspect of volunteering for AGR? Watching young men mature from their experiences of living together, learning from mistakes and by governing themselves. One rewarding treat is being invited to weddings that blossomed from AGR activities and socials into lasting relationships. I have also gained many friends from volunteering as chapter adviser.
Favorite Quote: The quote is from Virgil but the interpretation is offered by Mark Twain. It goes: “Be thou wise, take ye a drink whilst the chance is offered, for none but the Gods know when the jug will come around again.”
Why is it important to remain involved with AGR as a volunteer or otherwise? My life has been enriched by the friendships I’ve gained from being involved with AGR. The AGR brothers inspire me to continually strive to become a better man.
honors
&
aw a r d s
Illinois alumnus David Missouri alumnus Zane Althaus was recently Akins recently won the one of the recipients of Dairy Leadership Award the 2013 EXHIBITOR from the Missouri Dairy Magazine All-Star Award. Hall of Honors Foundation. This is the 15th year for This award, which was the award, which honors established in 1971, recexhibit managers and ognizes individuals who Zane Akins David Althaus corporate event planners have rendered outstanding who have developed innovative solutions that service and provided leadership for the Missouri have dramatically improved their companies’ dairy industry over a period of time. Akins has programs. He was recognized for leading and built an outstanding reputation for service and implementing a product-launch strategy that leadership throughout his lifetime through his caattracted tens of thousands CONEXPO-CON/ reer, including his work as CEO of the Holstein AGG attendees to the John Deere booth in 2011 Association of America, a post he held from 1978 and garnered attention from dealers and cus- until 1990. Since retirement, he has been engaged tomers beyond the event. In June, he will begin in his own business, Zane Akins and Associates, his 25th year with John Deere Construction & in addition to working as regional manager of Forestry. He and his wife, Angie, reside in Al- Primerica Financial Services, Inc.; vice president pha, Ill., with their four children. Althaus was of Earthwide Systems, Inc.; partner in A & S Asinitiated by Alpha in 1987. sociates, Ltd.; and president and board chairman of National Integrated Technologies, Inc. He and Ohio State alumnus his wife, Kay, reside in The Villages, Fla. Akins Rob McClelland was was initiated by Theta in 1959. recently named as a distinguished alumnus by Oklahoma State alumnus the College of Food, AgMalone Mitchell rericultural and Environcently received the Dismental Sciences Alumni tinguished Alumni Award Society Board of Direcfrom Oklahoma State Rob McClelland tors of The Ohio State University. This award University. The award honors those living recognizes alumni who atalumni who personify the college’s traditain distinctive success in Malone Mitchell tion of excellence, bringing distinction to his or her chosen field or themselves and to their alma mater through profession, perform outstanding service to their their outstanding achievements. He currently community or both. He is the CEO and chairserves as president and chief executive of- man of the board for TransAtlantic Petroleum ficer of FLM+, a strategic marketing and Company, a public company which is primarily communications company. He and his wife, active in exploration and production activities in Shelly, reside in the greater Columbus, Ohio, Turkey and neighboring countries. He also serves area with their five children. McClelland as president of Riata Corporate Group. He is a was initiated by Beta in 1991. board member for the Piñon Foundation and is a member of the All-American Wildcatters OrgaIowa State alumnus nization. Additionally, he serves on the board of Monte Wyatt won the directors for the Harold Hamm Diabetes FoundaExecutive Coach of the tion and was named “Texas Land Steward” from Year Award at the Ac- 2001 to 2002 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife tionCOACH Americas Association. Mitchell was initiated by Pi in 1980. Conference at the Red Rock Resort and Casino Florida alumnus initiate in Las Vegas, Nev. He Jimmy Cheek has reMonte Wyatt works with companies ceived a top alumni award of all sizes in his role as an ActionCOACH from Texas A&M UniverBusiness Coach, but his work with execusity. He was given the Coltives at larger companies has helped to solege of Agriculture and lidify his status within ActionCOACH and Life Sciences Outstanding the business community. ActionCOACH is Alumni Award at his alma Jimmy Cheek the world’s number one business coaching mater in College Station, and executive coaching firm, with more than Texas. The award, established in 1992, recog1,000 offices in 49 countries. Wyatt was initi- nized graduates who distinguish themselves by ated by Eta in 1989. achieving significant accomplishments in their
• Spring 2013
careers and who possess the highest standards of integrity and character. Currently, he is the Chancellor of the University of TennesseeKnoxville. He was lauded for his mission to make UT a Top 25 public research university, citing record total research expenditures in 2012. He is credited with many new construction and renovation projects across campus, and for his work in founding the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, a new energy sciences doctoral program. Cheek was initiated by Alpha Gamma in 1993. Clemson’s Beta Zeta Chapter won the InterFraternity Council cup for 2012. This award recognizes fraternities for excellence in unity, leadership, accountability, service and many other areas. Virginia Tech undergraduate
Austin Schwartzbeck was recently awarded the Holstein Association USA’s 2012 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award. The award recognizes Austin Schwartzbeck youths’ work and involvement with Holstein cattle and dairy activities. Recipients are selected based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship and level of participation in Holstein activities. He is the ninth youth to receive this honor, and he received a $500 scholarship. Schwartzbeck was initiated by Beta Eta in 2011. Chico
State alumnus Jacob Stull was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and First Responder Pin from the Aurora Police Department. He was recognized for his quick response and Jacob Stull actions taken during the critical incident at the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colo. on July 20, 2012. His actions saved lives and helped to get the overall situation under control. Stull was initiated by Beta Kappa in 1996.
KEEP YOUR BROTHERS INFORMED! We want to consistently update your fellow members on recent activity in your life. Please send updates to Stephanie Casey via email at scasey@alphagammarho.org or fill out the Share Your News form on our website at alphagammarho.org/share-your-news.
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2013 Undergraduate Directors The following AGR brothers were recently named as the new 2013 Undergraduate Directors no the National Board and will serve a one-year term. The selection for this position demonstrates an acknowledgement of the individual’s responsibility, leadership and various contributions to the Fraternity.
J u d s o n Belding is a
senior at Clemson University and was initiated by Beta Zeta Chapter in 2010. He served as Noble Ruler of his Chapter in 2012, and he currently holds positions as judicial chairman and parliamentarian. His service to agriculture includes working as a farm laborer at Clemson Research Farms, assisting with mist netting and bird banding with South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources, and serving as a volunteer for National Hunting and Fishing Day in Seneca, S.C. Belding considers himself to be a strong supporter of agriculture and livestock production. Belding is majoring in wildlife and fisheries biology and minoring in sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice. He will graduate in December 2013. In the meantime, he looks forward to serving on the National Board of Directors.
Reagan Kays is a ju-
nior at Kansas State University and was initiated by Alpha Zeta Chapter in 2010. He served his Chapter as VNR Alumni Relations in 2012. His service to agriculture is evident through his membership in the Kansas and National Junior Angus Associations, the American Angus Association, and for traveling abroad to the Czech Republic and Brazil to study agriculture economics. He is involved with numerous other organizations and associations as well. Kays plans to join the Peace Corps in South America after graduating college. Upon returning, he hopes to attend the University of Arkansas Law School to secure a degree in food and agricultural law. He intends to be a positive advocate for agriculture and make a significant contribution to the industry by assisting individual producers and agriculture businesses.
K i r b y Schmidt is
a senior at the University of Minnesota and was initiated by Lambda Chapter in 2010. He currently serves his Chapter as Noble Ruler, and previously he held the positions of VNR Membership Development and VNR Recruitment. His service to agriculture includes working on his home farm, participating in the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council, volunteering at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center, completing internships with agricultural companies and working with the National FFA Organization. Schmidt is majoring in agricultural education. Upon graduation, he plans to work with agricultural education and extension services in the Peace Corps. He then plans to obtain a master’s degree in higher education and would like to work within the extension and agricultural education career field.
Because of your gift, I’m pursuing my dreams. As a third generation college student, I have been taught to value a college education. As the price of a college education continues to increase, it is because of generous alumni like yourself that students like me are able to acquire an education. I chose to attend Kansas State University for three reasons: the great College of Agriculture, the family-like atmosphere K-State provides, and because many of my family members are Wildcats. I was familiar with Alpha Gamma Rho, but when I joined, I had no idea what an impact it would have on my life. I strive to be a well-rounded student, so I am involved in a variety of clubs on campus. I hold leadership positions on campus, and with the skills I’m learning along the way, I know I have a bright future ahead of me. My dream is to be a positive advocate for agriculture and to make a significant contribution to the industry. Thanks to gifts like yours, I’m one step closer to my goals, and that’s something that has made a lasting impression on me. -Scholarship recipient Reagan Kays, Alpha Zeta Chapter undergraduate
Support undergrads, like Reagan, by making a donation today. Put your investment to work faster by giving online at
alphagammarho.org/donate
or contact Brad Garrison at brad@alphagammarho.org.
Douglass Wicker is a
junior at Purdue University and was initiated by Delta Chapter in 2010. He currently serves his Chapter as Noble Ruler and previously held the position of Vice Noble Ruler. His service to agriculture includes his involvement with Agricultural Council and Dairy Club, his work as an agricultural economics mentor for incoming students at Purdue University, his role on the Purdue University Dairy Judging Team, internships with Harvest Land Co-Op and Land O’Lakes, Inc., and traveling abroad to study and observe agriculture in Ireland. Wicker hopes to become a leader within the dairy industry through his experiences and development with Alpha Gamma Rho and other organizations. He is looking forward to serving on the National Board.
Alpha Gamma Rho Day in Georgia’s Capitol On Feb. 20, 2013, more than 100 undergraduate members, alumni, and guests of the Alpha Eta Chapter at The University of Georgia and the Gamma Delta Chapter at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College gathered in Atlanta, Ga., for the first ever Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity “AGR Day at the Capitol.” Special Resolutions were passed in both the Georgia State House and Senate honoring both the Alpha Eta and Gamma Delta Chapters for their contributions to their respective campuses, local communities and the state of Georgia. The event came to fruition with the help of several key members of the Alpha Eta alumni board as well as alumni who are members of the Georgia General Assembly. Currently there are nine members of General Assembly who are members of Alpha Gamma Rho, including both the House and Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairmen. “The opportunities provided to me by Alpha Gamma Rho have been invaluable and promoted my professional and legislative endeavors,” said Sen. Frank Ginn, a 1981 initiate of the Alpha Eta Chapter. He continued, “It was an honor to host the active members and many alumni at the State Capitol and connect them with individuals who can help facilitate some of their career goals.” After the special resolutions were read in both legislative chambers, attendees met at the Department of Agriculture building for a luncheon sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Poultry Federation, Georgia EMC and Hobbs & Associates. “It was a huge honor to be able to participate in Alpha Gamma Rho Day at the Capitol. The undergraduate members were incredibly excited and proud to visit the Capitol and take part in such a momentous occasion for our fraternity,” said Chase Cowart, Noble Ruler of Alpha Eta Chapter. Other legislative leaders who are Alpha Gamma Rho alumni that were in attendance include Sens. John D. Crosby (Alpha Eta, 1958 initiate), Tyler Harper (Alpha Eta, 2007 initiate), and John K. Wilkinson (Alpha Eta, 2013 initiate), and Reps. Ellis Black (Alpha Eta, 1960 initiate), Tom McCall (Alpha Eta, 1977 initiate), Tom Kirby (Omicron, 1980 initiate), Sam Watson (Alpha Eta, 2000 initiate), and Chuck Williams (Alpha Eta, 2006 initiate). Other notable alumni who were present include Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black (Alpha Eta, 2005 initiate), Department of Agriculture chief operating officer Billy Skaggs (Alpha Eta, 2012 initiate) and president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Dr. David Bridges (Gamma Delta, 2011 initiate).
Alpha Gamma Rho members in the Georgia Senate Well with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. First row, left to right: Tony Waller (Alpha Eta adviser), Sen. John Crosby (Alpha Eta), Rep. Sam Watson (Alpha Eta), Garrett Gaches (Gamma Delta Noble Ruler), Chase Cowart (Alpha Eta Noble Ruler), Sen. John Wilkinson (Alpha Eta) and Rep. Chuck Williams (Alpha Eta). Second row, left to right: Sen. Tyler Harper (Alpha Eta), Billy Skaggs, Commissioner Gary Black, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Sen. Frank Ginn and Rep. Ellis Black.
Members of the Georgia General Assembly Include: Sen. John D. Crosby
Rep. L. Tom Kirby
Rep. Chuck Williams
Rep. C. Ellis Black
Sen. Frank J. Ginn
Sen. Tyler Harper
Rep. Tom McCall
Rep. Sam Watson
Sen. John K. Wilkinson
Alpha Eta #345 Initiated in 1958
Alpha Eta #439 Initiated in 1960
Alpha Eta #712 Initiated in 1977
Omicron #1113 Initiated in 1980
Alpha Eta #787 Initiated in 1981
Alpha Eta #1176 Initiated in 2000
Alpha Eta #1331 Initiated in 2006
Alpha Eta #1337 Initiated in 2007
Alpha Eta #1511 Initiated in 2013
Field Man to CEO Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus Donnie Smith Leads Nation’s Largest Meat Producer
L
ike most college seniors, Donnie Smith was looking for a job he could start soon after graduation. A job tip ended up being his ticket to a long and successful career. While he was still a student at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Smith was initiated by Alpha Kappa Chapter in 1978. His adviser, Charles Goan, suggested Smith try getting a job with a poultry company that had an operation in Shelbyville, Tenn. So Smith spent much of 1980 hounding Tyson Foods Inc. into giving him a job. He startPhoto courtesy of The Poultry Federation ed working for Tyson in December of that year, barely two weeks after he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the UT Institute of Agriculture.
• Spring 2013
Ten jobs with Tyson later, Smith is the president and chief executive officer of the nation’s largest meat producer. He and his wife, Terry, also a UT Knoxville alumna, endowed a scholarship in honor of Goan. “After Dr. Goan told me about Tyson, I was locked in,” Smith says. “That was where I wanted to work. So I just pestered the snot of out them.” Smith says this with a laugh, but he’s not joking when it comes to his persistence. He believes it is important to work hard at every position, whether it’s as a field man – his first Tyson job, in which he rode around from farm to farm, helping poultry farmers raise better chickens – or as CEO of a company with 115,000 employees. A few days after Smith became CEO in November 2009, the company reported a $455 million quarterly loss. By the first quarter of 2011, Tyson had record earnings. Smith is a big team guy, the reason he rarely wears a suit and instead goes with a khaki uniform bearing Tyson’s logo. He’s made it a point to get to know as many of the company’s “Team Members” as possible. He’s constantly on the go, visiting Tyson’s nearly 90 plants. Smith grew up in rural Arrington, Tenn., and by the time he graduated high school, he knew he wanted to work with animals. Although his parents weren’t farmers, they usually had a hog or two and a few chickens. He entered UT Knoxville as a pre-veterinary medicine major. Even though his grades were solid, he believed they needed to be spectacular to go to vet school, so he switched to animal science. “It just tied physics and biology and chemistry together in the animalproduction environment,” he says. Article courtesy of Tennessee Alumnus Magazine
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Ultimate The
Rush
Free falling at 120 miles per hour, suspended by nothing but resistance until you pull your chute and glide peacefully to the ground. Sounds fun, adventurous, exhilarating and scary – but for Skylar January, Kansas State undergraduate, it’s just a regular weekend. For him, skydiving is a pastime he loves. With more than 170 jumps under his belt he is now licensed with the United States Parachute Association, a national champion, a coach to beginners and president of the Skydive K-State club. Although his interest to skydive sparked when he was younger, his first opportunity came on his Ag Experience Day tour with a College of Agriculture ambassador. He expressed his interest, asked if there was such a club and that afternoon they had organized a meeting with a club representative. In the meeting, January’s curiosity soared and his first jump was scheduled. “It’s an adrenaline rush, but physically you really only feel acceleration,” January says as he smiles from ear to ear. It’s obvious he could talk for days about the thrill it gives you, but is quick to plug that “you just have to try it.” The normal speed a diver free falls is 120 miles per hour. January describes the feeling as no more pressure on your body than when you’re lying on the floor. Once the parachute releases the diver glides he explains, “very peacefully for three to four minutes before preparing to land.” Landing isn’t as earth shattering as one would think either – he says it’s much like jumping while on the ground – you just land on your feet.
Skylar January free falls before pulling his parachute. Photo courtesy of Kansas State Agriculturist.
join the fun, until he came to K-State. Now he’s a seasoned jumper and finds gratification in coaching beginners and introducing others to the sport. Friend and fellow Kansas State undergraduate Reiss Bruning went through training and a jump only after January’s enthusiasm wouldn’t wear off. “He would always ask me, ‘When do you wanna jump? When are we going to get you up there?’ and I would kind of play it off, thinking I would never do that, but the way he talked about it made it more and more interesting and exciting to me too.” So after a little persuasion January got not only Bruning but four other friends to try it. “It’s something I’ll never forget, you can’t get that feeling from anything else,” says Bruning.
A National Champion Although it’s a pastime, it’s also a competition. Annually, the United States Parachute Association hosts the National Collegiate Parachuting Championship. Sixteen universities are represented including the Military Academy (West Point), the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. His first year participating he placed fifth in sport accuracy and last year won that same division, naming him a national champion among Outside the Norm some pretty stiff competitors. His score not only won the novice category “Maybe it’s not the normal hobby of an agronomist,” he says. But his by a vast spread but if eligible would have placed him third in the master agronomist profession does come out while he’s in the air. He explains that division. Sport accuracy is a 4,500 foot jump in which the diver is in comfrom above he can evaluate the patterns in the fields, the layout of the land, mand of telling the pilot where place the jumper, after jumping the goal is identify where thin spots in crops are and notice crop diseases. In Septem- being able to land on or close to a detailed target on foot. ber, he identified a ring of drought stress and informed a farmer of a plugged area on his irrigation pivot. But that’s his day job. Skydiving is usually his The Novelty and the Future getaway from farm work, crop consulting internships and school. After three years of skydiving, it seems like January has seen and done it all. Not jumping off, but falling off a bi-plane wing as it did a barrel roll; It’s a Shared Interest jumping from an altitude of 21,000 feet, having to use oxygen in order to His interest started early. As a young boy, he would sit on his back breathe; and skimming down to his birthday suit as a 100th jump tradition porch and watch divers complete their jumps on the Lyons’ landing strip January has experienced a lot, but his future is still with the thoughts of that behind his house. He says, “I knew I was going to be doing it someday young boy sitting on the back porch watching divers land in his backyard. He too, I just didn’t know when.” wants to return home, farm, skydive on the weekends and hopefully reopen On their eighteenth birthdays, his older brother and sister both skydived, the Lyons’ drop zone to continue jumping and continue teaching others. but being 10 and eight years apart from them, he was much too young to Article courtesy of Kansas State Agriculturist
agr author Do you have a credit card? Roughly 70% of adults in the United States do. In fact, Americans average 3.5 credit cards per person – that’s a lot of plastic! Even with all that buying power in their wallets, most consumers have no idea the ways that they use (or misuse) their credit cards can affect their health, their relationships and their credit scores. Many factors go into mounting credit card debt: impulse shopping, health emergencies, the loss of a job, marriage, divorce, a death in the family. With this debt comes stress, arguments, loss of sleep, inability to pay other bills, worry, health problems, crumbling relationships. Increasing credit card debt and a lack of knowledge about how credit cards really work have created a new social phenomenon called The Plastic Effect. And if you have a credit card, The Plastic Effect can affect you. In this new book, internationally recognized credit card expert, Polly A. Bauer, CPCS, and attorney Stephen Lesavich, PhD, JD and Wisconsin-Madison alumnus, have selected 25 of the most common urban legends influencing the use and misuse of credit cards. The authors, as business leaders and credit card users, explain each situation, detailing what is true and what is likely to cause you trouble. You’ll gain access to resources and additional information about each myth, tips from industry experts, and guidance that will help you use your credit cards more intelligently and effectively. You’ll also learn how to understand your credit reports, improve your credit score and manage your debt in a way that puts the power back in your hands. The book is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, directly from the publisher at cabookstore.com, as well as through many other retailers. Lesavich was initiated by Iota in 1977.
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Spring 2013 •
On the Move A n d r e w agricultural companies prior to joining Lauver, Iowa the FCA team in 2002. O’Hara was iniState alumnus, has accepted a position as Frank Ross international business intern Andrew Lauver with DuPont Pioneer. He will begin this position full-time in May 2013 in Johnston, Iowa. In 2014, he will begin working in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Currently, he works in Washington D.C. in the U.S. Senate as a legislative intern. Lauver was initiated by Eta in 2009.
tiated by Alpha Theta in 1999.
Vance Dennis,
Transitions The following deaths were reported to the Home Office since the last publication. Includes initiation year.
Alpha-Illinois Joseph Slaymaker (1942) Robert Martin (1958) Charles Doubet (1962) James Mathers (1938)
Mu-Massachusetts William Estabrook (1923) David Dik (1953)
Alpha AlphaWest Virginia William Bragg (1949) Richard Fleek (1949) Clay Tallman (1949) Don Pollock (1949)
Te n n e s s e e Knoxville Xi-Auburn alumnus, was Woodie Alston (1936) Beta-Ohio State reelected to James Beatty (1936) Omicron-Kentucky Alpha Beta-Oregon State the TennesGeorge Kurtz (1934) Thomas Fraser (1935) Delta-Purdue Paul Hanna (1938) see House of Ambrose Burger (1942) Joe Peden (1949) Alpha Gamma-Florida Gerald Mayer (1950) Theodore Purvis (1940) RepresentaEpsilonJames Singer (1952) Louie Jones (1947) Vance Dennis tives. He repNorth Dakota State James Ragland (1958) James Simmons (1948) Arnold Mickelson (1933) Samuel Combs (1979) resents District 71, which includes Paul Ruliffson (1951) Alpha Zeta-Kansas State all of Hardin, Lewis and Wayne Russel Bieri (1953) Pi-Oklahoma State Merritt Atwell (1943) Gerald Buelow (1956) Glen Cooper (1948) Clarence Hardin (1947) counties and part of Lawrence Randy Parker (1977) Edward Boyd (1950) County. He and his wife, Ashley, Zeta-Cornell Larry Holz (1986) James Whitaker (1939) Rho-Colorado State C h a r l i e have two children and reside in SaJim Jessen (1966) Alpha Nu-Connecticut Napier, Mis- vannah, Tenn. Dennis was initiated Eta-Iowa State John Corbett (1958) Thomas Chudomelka (1945) Sigma-Washington State by Alpha Kappa in 1994. souri alumDaniel Wood (1953) Alpha Xi-Arizona State nus, has asTheta-Missouri Thomas Taylor (1958) Joseph Cummins (1945) Tau-Michigan State Warren sumed a new Curt Dunn (1986) Eugene Dice (1947) Alpha SigmaBeeler, position as Fresno State Iota-Wisconsin-Madison Phi-UC Davis Jim Deaver (1963) Western Kencoordinator of Everett Olsen (1942) Ronald Hanna (1950) Robert Stagi (1966) tucky alummulti-media John Wyse (1944) Richard Tanner (1951) Lester Swanson (1946) William Tingley (1959) Alpha TauCharlie Napier nus, was services in the Scott Miller (1948) Western Illinois recently apKeith Hawks (1948) Psi-Maine James Twidell (1970) Communications Department at the Allen Ridley (1950) Dennis Fehr (1972) pointed as the University of Florida Foundation, Lambda-Minnesota director of Ernest Baughman (1937) Beta Nu-Texas A&M Inc. He previously led the organizaNathan Hardcastle (2012) Warren Beeler agricultural tion’s IT department through many changes and an ever rapidly chang- policy at the Kentucky Department ing environment. Napier was initi- of Agriculture. He has been a show Spring Vol. 103-02 judge for 35 years and has service ated by Theta in 1962. Published continuously since 1910 in the Kentucky Department of AgRay Bisson, riculture for more than 14 years. He STAFF Director of Communications – Stephanie Casey New Hampshire will continue to oversee the KDA’s Contributing Editors – Joe Arterburn, Omer Dye, Steve Fairchild, Matt Fanta, Corey Geiger, John Harvey, Loren Kruse, Justin Lessman, Chester Peterson, Jr., Steve Rich, Len Richardson, John Ruebush, alumnus, re- Division of Livestock Marketing in Vance Runnels, Patrick Scheetz, Jeremy Zweiacker cently opened addition to his new, policy-making Business Manager – Philip Josephson S t o n e w a l l post. Despite his consistent and SICKLE & SHEAF (ISSN 8750-6866) is published four times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) by Publications Office, 10101 N.W. Ambassador Dr., Kansas City, MO. Members receive reliable work in the field of aniSurveying. life subscriptions with payment of initiation fee. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, MO and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SICKLE & SHEAF, 10101 N.W. The com- mal agriculture, he has continued Ambassador Dr., Kansas City, MO 64153-1395. pany offers to work his Grayson County farm Ray Bisson land survey- along with his wife, Dee Dee, and M a r i o ing, experience and demonstration ing, planning and mapping services to their five children. Beeler was initiCaro, Texas of knowledge, understanding and homeowners, realtors and engineers. ated by Alpha Chi in 1974. A&M alum- ability. Members are experienced in He has more than 20 years experience nus, recently commercial valuation, including inJim Hagar, in the field. He is also a member of obtained the dustrial, retail and multifamily propArkansas the New Hampshire Land Surveyors MAI desig- erties. He and his wife, Linda, live in State alumnus, Association and the Maine Society of nation from San Antonio and are expecting their recently acLand Surveyors. Bisson was initiated the Appraisal first child in May 2013. Caro was iniMario Caro cepted the by Omega in 1989. Institute. The tiated by Beta Nu in 1997. North Ameri- Appraisal Institute is a global assoE v a n s can QMS lead ciation of real estate appraisers, with Richard Duncan, role within nearly 23,000 valuation professionO’Hara, Jim Hagar F l o r i d a Row Crops als in almost 60 countries throughMaryland Southern alumnus, was MFG. In his new role, he will have out the world. Its mission is to adalumnus, rerecently pro- responsibility for leading the North vance the professionalism and ethics, cently acmoted to the America Quality Management team global standards, methodologies and cepted a poposition of gen- as well as serving as North Ameri- practices through the professional sition as vice eral manager of ca’s field compliance lead (FCL). He development of property economEvans Duncan Richard O’Hara president at Farmers Coop- and his family will continue to reside ics worldwide. Designated MAI erative Association, Inc. (FCA) of Fred- in the St. Louis, Mo. area. Hagar was members have met rigorous require- PNC Bank. Duncan was initiated erick, Md. He worked for various local initiated by Beta Epsilon in 1993. ments relating to education, test- by Gamma Alpha in 2006.
• Spring 2013
Page 7
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