Agriview fall 14 rev 1 26 15 hr

College

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Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences

•

Fall 2014

Thank You!

Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer’s Generous Gift Will Benefit Two- and Four-Legged Mustangs

> STUDENTS RESEARCH STEM CELLS > GROCERS ASSOCIATION CONNECTION > CAFES STRATEGIZES THE FUTURE

FROM THE DEAN

Changing Components of CSU Revenue Base WINTER 2015

Published for alumni and friends by the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences (CAFES)

State Support

Dean’s Office 805-756-2161 Communications Director Haley Marconett hmarcone@calpoly.edu | 805-756-2933

Tuition and Fees

Writer & Editor Jo Ann Lloyd jlloyd@calpoly.edu | 805-801-5621 Publication Designer Shirley Howell srhowell@earthlink.net | 805-547-0120

Over the last two decades, support of the 23-campus California State University system by the state of California has eroded significantly. In 1987, the state contributed more than 80 percent of the cost of attending. Today, that portion is 38 percent.

Printer Journal Graphics, Portland, Ore.

DEAR CAFES ALUMNI & FRIENDS,

Stay Connected on: ™

INSIDE

3 News & Notes Strategic planning; Faculty News; CAFES’ produce industry connection; By the Numbers

05

Learn by Doing The first strawberry crop; Agribusiness and Grocers Association partnership; Regenerative Medicine Program

10 Cover Story

Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer

donate $20 million to CAFES 12

Student Success Teams place in competitions involving drones, floral arrangements, a Quiz Bowl, horse judging and public speaking

13 Looking Back

Unearthing a time capsule from 1988 14 Staff News

Meet Grant Kirkpatrick, CAFES’

new development director

September has always been a special month for me. For many people, January marks a new beginning, a time for making resolutions and promises. But since my earliest memories of school — beginning with kindergarten some years ago — September has been the month that most invigorates and energizes me.

And this September was perhaps the most exciting one yet.

We welcomed 17 new faculty and staff to the CAFES team during a collegewide meeting on Sept. 15, and the very next day, we commenced our strategic vision and planning process (see opposite page). We’ll share the final plan in February, following input from staff, faculty, students and industry partners, but I’m already excited about the direction we’re taking as a college.

We continue to see increased demand from students. We’ve added to our alreadyimpressive roster of experts-in-their-field faculty. We continue to strengthen our involvement and relationships with industry to help develop solutions to the issues they face and to help determine where we should steer our curriculum to ensure currency.

All of this is being done with the support of people like you — our readers. We all know that state funding continues to decline (see graphic above), so the only way we can continue to offer tomorrow’s student leaders the Cal Poly Learn by Doing education is with support from donors, friends and industry partners.

I want to thank you for your generous friendship and continued support.

ON THE COVER: New equine facilities are among many projects planned, thanks to a $20 million gift from alumni Peter and and Mary Beth Oppenheimer. Read about the couple and their donation on pages 10-11.

Especially during the holiday season, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be involved in such a wonderful institution as Cal Poly.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY APP

Andrew J. Thulin | Dean

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NEWS & NOTES

Strategic Vision

CAFES PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The academic year got off to a fresh

advisory councils, and students was

of that meeting into a report before

start in September when the College

then formed to review the results of the

drafting a strategic plan to be reviewed

of Agriculture, Food & Environmental

environmental scan and visioning process.

by the steering committee during a two-

Sciences (CAFES) embarked on its first

From that data, the committee drafted

day meeting in January.

strategic planning exercise for the college

and distributed to all stakeholders a

in more than 10 years, with the goal to

strategic vision document consisting of a

the CAFES community, and additional

produce a strategic plan and vision draft

core purpose, mission, vision and values

feedback will be collected. A final report

by the end of January 2015.

statements for the college.

is anticipated by the end of February.

During the daylong exercise, led by

A survey was recently conducted

Glenn Tecker of Tecker International — a

to assess people’s opinion and gather

multinational consulting firm — faculty,

feedback about the document, and a

staff and students explored issues and

strategic visioning project team of 10

trends in such areas as demographics,

representatives from CAFES met in early

politics, technology and science, higher

December to discuss the results of the

education, and regulation.

survey. Tecker will synthesize the results

The exercise included a visioning process and an “environmental scan” in which all the factors — both present and future — that can influence the direction and goals of an organization are taken into consideration.

A steering committee comprised of representatives from the faculty, staff,

The draft will be circulated among

Staff, faculty and students gathered to help develop a strategic plan and vision for the college. PHOTO BY MASON SCHRODER

NEWS & NOTES

10 13

BY THE NUMBERS

Art MacCarley

Jaymie Noland

Faculty News

Scott Steinmaus

Christiane Schroeter

PROMOTIONS, NEW ROLES FOR FOUR

Professors Art MacCarley, Jaymie Noland

Christiane Schroeter, associate professor

and Scott Steinmaus have been named

of agribusiness, was chosen as a faculty

department heads in the BioResource

fellow for the Cal Poly Center for

& Agricultural Engineering, Animal

Innovation & Entrepreneurship. In this

Science, and Horticulture & Crop Science

new role, she will drive a collaborative

departments, respectively. All three served

and interdisciplinary effort to facilitate

as interim department heads for the 2013-

and encourage innovation and

14 academic year.

entrepreneurship across campus.

CAL POLY RANKED 10TH in U.S. News and World Report’s overall list of the West’s best universities, which includes 120 public and private institutions in 15 states.

CAL POLY BACHELOR’S DEGREE graduates rank 13th in the nation and among the top three in the state for median salaries among public university bachelor’s degree recipients, according to PayScale.com’s 2014-15 College Salary Report.

CAFES CONNECTS WITH THE PRODUCE INDUSTRY In October, the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) hosted more than 200 guests attending the Produce Marketing Association’s annual Fresh Summit event in Anaheim, Calif., for a Friends of Cal Poly reception.

The event, sponsored by Mission Avocados, Renaissance Food Group, Tanimura & Antle, and Urban Produce, was an opportunity to connect with leaders — including alumni — in the produce industry to share updates about the college and to hear ideas on how industry and CAFES can partner to solve

to learn what’s new from industry partners.

industry issues.

To find out about these CAFES-sponsored

That Friends of Cal Poly reception was

events, go to cafes.calpoly.edu/subscribe

just the first of many. College leaders plan

to sign up for our email list. Be sure to

to attend industry events throughout the

indicate your professional industry to

year to keep our friends informed about

ensure we send notifications that are

the great things going on at CAFES and

relevant to your field.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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AGRI VIE W • FALL 2 0 1 4

Cal Poly alumni mingled with leaders of the produce industry at a CAFES-hosted reception held at the annual Fresh Summit in Anaheim.

Spring 2015 commencement is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Individual department celebrations will be scheduled and communicated in the coming months.

LEARN BY DOING

Cropping Up Fast CAL POLY’S FIRST STRAWBERRIES ARE ON SCHEDULE FOR HARVEST IN MARCH

I

f all goes according to Gerald

intensively farmed crops in the world,”

Holmes’ plan, come March,

Holmes said. “I have put in more work

Cal Poly will harvest its first

to get our strawberries to this point than I

crop of strawberries.

have going from planting to harvest on any

Holmes, director of the Cal

other crop, and we’re just getting started.”

Poly Strawberry Sustainability

One reason is because the transplants

Research and Education Center, and a

need to be carefully planted by hand.

small staff of student assistants have

“Twelve people worked 10 hours to plant

planted more than an acre and a half

our acre and a half,” Holmes said. “I

of the perennial fruit on university

emphasized quality over speed. Not too

farmland adjacent to Highway 1.

deep; not too shallow. All roots carefully

“With help from commercial strawberry growers in Santa Maria, we are

Cal Poly’s new strawberry field will be ready for harvest in spring 2015.

tucked in, soil squeezed to compact it.

“Every week, we will need to water,

growing it using large-scale techniques,”

fertilize and control pests and diseases,”

Holmes said. “Everything they do to pro-

Holmes continued. “It has to be done in a

Research and Education Center, Holmes

duce a commercial crop, we are mimicking

very precise way. Managing the balance

sees it becoming a world leader in straw-

to see how successful we are under our soil

between too wet and too dry is tricky, es-

berry research and education. “We are

and climate conditions.”

pecially on our heavy soils. You have to get

the only organization devoted solely to

Three graduate students are conducting

As for the Strawberry Sustainability

the fertilizer dialed in so that it is always

research and education of strawberries —

research; three undergraduates are paid

giving the plant what it needs. You do that

all aspects of it, not just water and nutri-

student assistants interested in gaining

by watching the plant and gauging what it

ent management, not just pest control —

hands-on experience with strawberries.

needs, based on its performance.

primarily the focus is on production. We

“Strawberries are a great crop to get experience in because it is one of the most

“I think we’re going to be proud of our harvest,” Holmes said.

will ultimately help strawberries be more sustainable in California long term.”

C AFES. C A L POLY.EDU

5

LEARN BY DOING

Food for Thought

J

ay Noel, chair and professor

base includes the California Grocers

of Cal Poly’s Agribusiness

Association, arranged a meeting between

played a role in the foundation’s

Department, knows that with

Noel and Shiloh London, executive

decision to fund the program. And it

12,000 traditional U.S. food

director of the CGAEF. “We are looking

didn’t hurt that the three agribusiness

outlets selling more than

for practice-ready graduates who can

students who attended CGA’s annual

$570 billion worth of retail

step right into the grocery industry,”

meeting in September just happened to

food and nonfood products annually, significant job opportunities exist for properly prepared graduates.

So in 2011, he set out to develop

London said. “This is a great match.”

The partnership is designed to help shape future generations of grocery industry professionals in a wide range

a program that would do just that —

of disciplines, including grocery store

prepare graduates for leadership roles in

management, category (produce, meat,

the food retail management area. At the

etc.) management, sales and marketing,

time, the department was developing

purchasing and procurement and cus-

program or career areas of focus. “We

tomer relations.

developed a strategic plan for the department with the goal to secure more public-private partnerships,” Noel said.

That goal became a reality in September 2014, when the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) announced a historic partnership with Cal Poly designed to strengthen California’s future grocery industry workforce. The CGAEF will fund $25,000 to provide scholarships, internship stipends, and professional development opportunities for students taking courses in the Agribusiness Food Retail Management Program curriculum.

This is the first higher education partnership in the CGAEF’s 22-year history, and it didn’t happen overnight.

Louie Brown, chair of the Agribusiness Department’s advisory council and a lawyer and lobbyist whose client

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Cal Poly’s stellar reputation certainly

CAL POLY’S AGRIBUSINESS DEPARTMENT PARTNERS WITH CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION’S EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION TO PRODUCE NEW FOOD RETAIL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM “wow” everyone with their “superior interpersonal skills and ability to carry on a good conversation. Everyone who met them was impressed,” Noel said.

In return for its investment, the CGA-member companies get a pipeline to Cal Poly students, Noel said. “This can cut down on recruitment costs, which can be very high.

Studies show that students who have completed internships start the job up-to-speed with little or no training, are more productive, and tend to stay on the job longer.”

The program will facilitate internship opportunities with CGA-member companies and foster additional learning opportunities for students and faculty. On average, more than 100 agribusiness students complete an internship each year.

“The agreement is a win-win for the students, too,” Noel said.

“They have a Learn by Doing opportunity to use their skills, gain industry experience, and find out about a company to see if they like it. It is a very powerful experience to include on their resumes.”

Noel expects the program to grow both in terms of finances and internships. “It is one of those things you have to build on.”

For more information on Cal Poly’s Agribusiness Department, go to www. agb.calpoly.edu/.

For more information on the CGAEF, visit www.cgaef.org.

C AFES. C A L POLY.EDU

7

LEARN BY DOING

Medical Miracles

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM OPENS DOORS FOR GRAD STUDENTS

I

n a small, little-known program

California and other private institutions,

at Cal Poly, graduate students are

but the Bridges program supports course

getting paid to work alongside

development and research experiences

cutting-edge researchers and

for CSU and community college students.

scientists at some of the country’s top institutions, manipulating

And thanks to the efforts of animal science Professor Matt Burd and

human stem cells in hopes of treating

biomedical engineering Professor Trevor

some of today’s most debilitating illnesses.

Cardinal, who coordinates Cal Poly’s

Cal Poly’s Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative Medicine Program, CIRM

Program in Biomedical Engineering,

awarded Cal Poly $1.4 million in 2009

Biological Sciences and Animal Science is

to fund the program for three years. An

part of the Bridges to Stem Cell Research

additional $1.6 million was awarded in

Program — a California State University

2011 for another three years. “And we just

(CSU) proposal and one of several such

received word that we were approved for

initiatives funded by the California Institute

a final one-year extension,” Burd said.

for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

The institute was created in 2004,

coursework before moving on to their internship. “The program is unique

71, a $3 billion, 10-year initiative to

because it provides us with money to

fund stem cell research. The CIRM

support students while they complete a

awards grants and loans to scientists

nine-month internship. Our students get

and institutes working on cures and

to perform research alongside scientists

treatments for such diseases as multiple

at such prestigious institutions as the Salk

sclerosis, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic

Institute for Biological Studies, Scripps

lateral sclerosis, (known as Lou Gehrig’s

Research Institute, Stanford University

disease), cancer, diabetes and others.

and UC San Diego.

funding went to the University of

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AGRI VIE W • FALL 2 0 1 4

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

The students complete a year of

after California voters passed Prop.

Initially, the majority of CIRM

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

“One of the spectacular things about the program is, it created a new

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Graduate students develop valuable real-world skills conducting stem cell research (left).

said. “One of our students is completing an internship at ViaCyte Inc., which just received FDA approval for a device that can be implanted into people with type I diabetes.” The device, which uses stem cells in a unique way to detect blood glucose levels, has the potential to revolutionize the care of millions of people who can’t produce insulin.

In addition to ViaCyte, Cal Poly interns are welcomed at Capricor Therapeutics Inc., Cytori Therapeutics Inc., and Organovo Inc. — all leaders in regenerative medicine.

It is a great testament that our faculty are known and respected at these institutions, Burd said. “It is one of the best virtues of the work we do.”

The research CIRM is funding is moving ahead and getting results. Two projects began clinical trials this year, one Cal Poly’s Regenerative Medicine Program leverages multiple university disciplines (left).

science, and then apply separately to the

for patients with serious damage after a

RMP program.

heart attack and one for curing patients

“It’s a more in depth application,”

with HIV. Clinical trials will soon be

Burd said. “We look at what skills they

launched to treat solid tumors, blindness,

master’s program,” Burd continued.

can bring to the program; we conduct a

sickle cell anemia, and leukemia.

“It’s a hallmark of interdisciplinary

rigorous evaluation.”

collaboration, linking biomedical

And they continue to pay attention

engineering, biology and animal science

after the students graduate. “We’ve

under one umbrella. It includes faculty

tracked the success of the program, and

from three departments in three colleges,

we’ve tracked the students,” Burd said.

who teach, conduct research and mentor

So far 40 students have completed

With funding for Prop. 71 set to expire in 2017, Burd is optimistic the Cal Poly program will continue.

“We have such great work coming out of the program,” Burd said. “Students are published in some of the world’s

the students. It’s a very potent way to

the program, and the 38 that are still in

most rigorous scientific journals; they are

educate students.”

contact with their former professors are

working on biomedical devices that will

either employed at leading biomedical

one day save lives. The host institutions

research companies or attending school.

have been so impressed by our students,

Ten new, carefully evaluated students are accepted into the program each fall.

They first apply to a specific Cal Poly

The internships are very intense, very

they won’t let it die. When funding

graduate program, either in biology,

hands-on. “We are sending students to

ceases, they will no doubt fund the

biomedical engineering or animal

the forefront of medical science,” Burd

program themselves.”

C AFES. C A L POLY.EDU

9

COVER STORY

PLEDGING THEIR

T

he holidays came early this year to the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences — a $20 million gift from alumni Peter Oppenheimer

(B.S., Agricultural Business Management, 1985) and Mary Beth Oppenheimer (B.S., Home Economics, 1986) — the largest cash gift ever received by the university.

Their donation will be used to build critical new facilities for the college and modernize many of the existing teaching units in the Animal Science Department.

The Oppenheimers will also continue their support in areas of ongoing need, including the Cal Poly Scholars program, the university’s meal voucher program, and the new Food Pantry to help alleviate hunger on campus.

The Oppenheimers’ gift is expected to fully fund: • A new Agricultural Events Center for livestock events, industry activities and conferences, and the college’s student experiential learning programs.

The 70,000-square-foot indoor arena is expected to seat more than 2,500 visitors, with a floor that converts to conference space. The center, to be built where the Beef Unit now stands on Via Carta, will also have classrooms with the latest technologies.

Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer

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AGRI VIE W • FALL 2 0 1 4

Allegiance

PETER AND MARY BETH OPPENHEIMER DONATE $20 MILLION TO CAFES

• A new Equestrian Pavilion, also on Via Carta, will add needed arena space for current equestrian programs and expanded events on campus. The

Beyond the impact of these new and

STUDENTS EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE

upgraded facilities and resources, the Oppenheimers are setting an extraordinary example for others. At a

pavilion will feature both partially

“The Oppenheimers’

time when the university increasingly

enclosed and covered arenas, approx-

generous donation shows

relies on private and student support

imately 60,000 square feet each, with

their belief in Learn

to maintain and enhance the Learn by

supporting facilities and vehicle park-

by Doing and creating

Doing tradition, Peter and Mary Beth

ing to accommodate visiting horses.

lifelong learners. I’m

are making a bold statement that Cal

• A new Farm Store will support the sales of all meat, poultry, dairy, crop and horticulture products produced on campus by students.

The gift will also help modernize and expand facilities and equipment at current animal teaching and research centers.

“Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy had a tremendous impact

amazed, inspired and beyond grateful.”

— Vanessa Alexandre | Agribusiness “This donation will enable CAFES to upgrade its units for functionality, but more importantly, improve them for lab and

Poly is worth the investment.”

While a student at Cal Poly, Peter Oppenheimer participated in meats and feedlot enterprise projects. He spent the past 18 years working at Apple, serving as CFO and senior vice president for the last 10 years.

He retired in September. He is

enterprise instruction

currently a director of Goldman

as well as student and

Sachs and of the Cal Poly Foundation

on our education and lives,” Peter

faculty research.”

and is a member of the Cal Poly

Oppenheimer said. “We want to help

— Tom Hardesty | Animal Science

President’s Cabinet, providing

modernize and expand Cal Poly’s animal operations and build new facilities to offer future students an even better experience than our own.”

The couple also wants to relieve existing hunger on campus, so students are well nourished and can focus on learning, according to Mary Beth Oppenheimer. “This quiet need exists, and we would like to ensure

“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheimer! Your tremendous donation will ensure more Learn

by Doing opportunities, allowing Mustangs to become the prosperous innovators that we are destined to be.”

— Nikki Jorgenson | Agricultural Communications

that students have access to the

advice and advocacy to enhance the university’s resources.

Mary Beth Oppenheimer graduated Cal Poly with a concentration in interior design. Their youngest son, Mark, is in his third year at Cal Poly, studying mechanical engineering.

The Oppenheimers have generously supported Cal Poly for years, transforming the lives of thousands of students and helping

basic essentials, including food and

“As an animal science

them achieve educational goals that

personal necessities.”

student minoring in

would have otherwise been impossible.

This groundbreaking gift was announced at the recent Honored Alumni Celebration Awards Dinner, at which Peter Oppenheimer was recognized as CAFES 2014 Honored Alumnus.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said, “The Oppenheimers’ transformational gift will impact students for generations to come.

equine science, I’m excited to hear our Equine Program will have such generous support — especially the teaching and learning facilities.

Thank you for encouraging us to Learn by Doing!”

— Mieko Temple | Animal Science

“In addition to providing monetary support to numerous programs both within CAFES and across campus, Peter has served as a strategic advisor to several CAFES’ departments — and to me personally — for many years,” said Andy Thulin, dean of CAFES. “This unprecedented investment will enable the college to make great strides.”

C AFES. C A L P OLY.EDU 11

STUDENT SUCCESS

WINNERS! FLORAL DESIGN TEAM Cal Poly’s National Floral Design Team placed fourth at the American Institute of Floral Designers’ 2014 National Student Floral Design Competition held last summer in Chicago.

AG EDUCATION STUDENTS Mo Tehrani, a master’s degree student, and Karina Salomon, an agricultural science major, recently competed in the impromptu public speaking contest at the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) regional meeting.

Tehrani, who placed first, qualified for the organization’s national competition.

HORSE JUDGING TEAM The Cal Poly Horse Judging Team started off the 2014 season with individual success at the Ohio Quarter Horse Association Congress Horse Show in October. The team is comprised of Laura Young, Sarah Frushour and Kaitlyn

The SkyBarge team includes students (from left): Armand Lim, Shane Thulin, Eric Dreischerf, Garrett Gudgel, Hank Mandsager, Seyhun Oh, Ethan Juhnke, Gordon Belyea, Brandon-Roy Sadiarin and Professor Russell Westphal.

Krautkramer, and is coached by animal science faculty member Natalie Baker.

QUIZ BOWL TEAM Cal Poly’s Recreation, Parks & Tourism

FLYING HIGH

won the National Recreation and Park

CAL POLY DRONE TEAM PLACES SECOND AT INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION

Association’s (NRPA) Academic Quiz

Cal Poly’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), SkyBarge, maneuvered through an

Bowl championship in Charlotte, N.C.

obstacle course to a second-place finish among 21 international collegiate

The winning 2014 RPTA team, coached

teams at the annual American Society of Mechanical Engineers Student Design

by Associate Professor Brian Greenwood,

Competition on Nov. 17 in Montreal, Canada.

Administration (RPTA) Department

includes students Mike Higgins (captain),

The teams were tasked with designing and building an original drone that

Josh Pighetti, Jennifer Kiesewetter and

could navigate a series of high and low obstacles, complete a targeted payload

Hayley De Carolis.

drop, and return to the start in one piece.

“This is the third national Academic Quiz Bowl championship Cal Poly’s RPTA team has won in the last five years, and we couldn’t be more proud of our students,” said Greenwood.

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AGRI VIE W • FALL 2 0 1 4

The Cal Poly team included students from mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering and agricultural engineering student Shane Thulin.

LOOKING BACK

History Revealed

CAFES UNEARTHS 25-YEAR-OLD TIME CAPSULE Andy Thulin, dean of the College of

The CAFES time capsule was

Agriculture, Food & Environmental

originally buried as part of a dedication

Sciences (CAFES), Vanessa Alexandre,

ceremony for the then-new Agricultural

agribusiness senior and president of

Sciences Building. The unearthing

the CAFES Student Council, and Dean

was held in conjunction with the

Callendar (B.S., Agribusiness, 1991),

Agribusiness Department’s Gala

president of the university’s Monterey Bay

Reunion in early November.

alumni chapter, recently unearthed a time

The capsule and its contents are on

capsule that was buried on Oct. 20, 1988.

display in front of the CAFES dean’s

The unveiling revealed some prescient

office in the Agricultural Sciences

predictions about agriculture.

Building (No. 11) through April 2015. As

The predictions, written by faculty

part of Open House 2015 festivities, it

members and students, were sealed

will be reburied, along with predictions

inside the capsule. Here are just a few:

for what agriculture, food and the

• The term “Ornamental Horticulture” has evolved into the name

Cameron Dale (above, left) and Dean Callendar check out the copper scrolls after unearthing the time capsule with fellow diggers.

environmental sciences will be like in

Below, from left: Callendar, Jasmine Singh, Rylin Lindahl, Dale, Vanessa Alexandre and CAFES Dean Andy Thulin

the year 2039.

PHOTOS BY MASON SCHRODER

“Environmental Horticulture.”

• We’re sure the computer will be a major influence in the production, research and marketing of agricultural products.

• Anticipated techniques of agriculture production may include hydroponics, automated harvesting equipment, and increased efficiency in irrigation.

• We can manage for a reversal of the greenhouse effect; stop depleting the ozone layer; curb the production of solid and toxic wastes; stop the polluting of our oceans and water supplies; and implement recycling strategies for a world worth living in. By continuously working together with agriculture and industry to reverse the current destructive trend, we can achieve an equitable, sustainable existence for the Earth’s biosphere.

C AFES. C A L P OLY.EDU

13

STAFF NEWS

Meet Grant Kirkpatrick

NEW CAFES DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR HAS FAMILY TIES TO SLO WHAT’S YOUR ROLE AT CAL POLY?

San Luis Obispo and frequented campus.

As director of

from the area has been surreal. Though

development, I’m a fundraiser who works with corporations, foundations and individuals to advance the college’s mission of education and research.

If I’m doing my job well, I’m thinking strategically about

Being back after so many years away my grandparents have long since passed away, there are parts of campus that bring back fond memories of my childhood.

My sister is a CAFES alumna, and while I was considering this position, she told me I was an idiot if I didn’t accept it.

Her reasoning had everything to do with wanting to visit San Luis Obispo more

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN CALIFORNIA? Wow, what a question. There are parts of Big Sur I can’t get enough of, and I also grew up spending a couple of weeks every summer in Yosemite and still go back on a regular basis.

In school I interned on a boat that brought campers, hikers and divers to the Channel Islands, which are also incredibly rugged and beautiful. And, when my Giants are winning there is

frequently. Gotta love family!

nothing like being in “The City” (San

CAFES’ and Cal Poly’s goals.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN THE OFFICE?

down to a single spot.

ANY CAL POLY CONNECTIONS?

I consider myself a bit of an outdoorsman.

ANY CLOSING THOUGHTS?

My history with Cal Poly stretches back

When I’m not working, spending time with

I am excited to be here in the College

a couple of generations. My parents

my wife (we were married in February)

of Agriculture, Food & Environmental

grew up in San Luis Obispo, and both

or socializing with friends, I’m surfing,

Sciences and look forward to becoming

of my grandfathers were on the faculty

diving, golfing, biking, hiking, camping

a member of the Cal Poly and San Luis

at Cal Poly. One taught agricultural

or backpacking. The fact that San Luis

Obispo communities.

engineering and the other taught biology

Obispo County has so much to offer a guy

and zoology. I grew up in the Bay Area

like me is a huge perk and, luckily I’ve got

Contact Grant Kirkpatrick at gkirkpat@

but regularly visited my grandparents in

a lot of exploring to do.

calpoly.edu or at 805-756-2173.

how we can successfully partner with philanthropists and industry to achieve

CAMPUS LIFE

Happy Campers Fall 2014’s new students arrived to a warm welcome from the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences during orientation in September. They checked out their new surroundings and began settling into what they hope to call home for several years.

PHOTO BY MASON SCHRODER

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AGRI VIE W • FALL 2 0 1 4

Francisco). Not sure I can narrow it

Wrap Up the Year

With a Gift To Cal Poly

As you think about holiday gifts for family and friends, don’t forget to consider a year-end gift to Cal Poly. Not only will our students and programs benefit from your generosity, you will too.

Discover Your Giving Options Popular year-end gifts include appreciated securities, life income gifts, retirement plan assets and real estate.

To learn more about these and many other ways to make a difference at Cal Poly, contact us today!

Depending on the gift you make, you can: • Reduce your income taxes • Increase your spendable income • Reduce or eliminate capital gains tax • Attain no-cost, worry-free asset management Make your gift by Dec. 31 and you will see a tax break for 2014 (when you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return).

Russ Kabaker 805-756-6601 rkabaker@calpoly.edu cafes.calpoly.edu/giving

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California 93407-0250

FRESH FROSH FACES

Incoming freshmen were welcomed in September by Andy Thulin, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. The dean offered some words of advice to the more than 1,000 first-year and transfer students.

PHOTO BY MASON SCHRODER