This special Oklahoma Centennial Presentation of the ExpressClydesdales is a gift from American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company and Oklahoma Farmers Union to the people of Oklahoma during the state's centennial celebration. Throughout 2007, the ExpressClydesdates will visit centennial celebrations across the state, providing an example of how Oklahoma Farmers Union and American Farmers & Ranchers have contributed to Oklahoma and its citizens during the past 102 years.
LETTERFROM THE EDITORS...
As Oklahoma celebrares ir Cenrennial, we dedicate this issue of rhe Cowboy journal ro those who have helped make chis state whar it i today. We appreciate the efforc made ro pur Oklahoma ar the f. refronr of agriculrure.
In regards ro Volume 9 o. 2 of our magazine, we would like ro give peciaJ thanks ro the following individuals: Dwayne Cartmell, Cindy Blad .. ,vell, Tanner Robenson, Traci aile, heri Ishmael-Waldrop, Elizabeth Whitfield, Jeremiah Allen, Bonnie Milby, Carl Hamby, Gayle Hiner, Melissa Dwm, Todd Johnson and Clay Billman. Cowboy Journal would noc be published wirhour your supporr.
To our managing editor, Shelly, your guidance allows srudems ro succeed both in and our of rhe classroom. The dedication you provide to nor only our deparrmenr bur also thi la further prepares us ro encer the indu try.
To our sraff, thank you for all rhe rime you concributed co this issue. We enjoyed working with each and every one of you, and wirhour you there would be no Cowboy Journal.
Our current sponsors,and also to founding sponsors LimousinWorld,Quebecor,and Oklahoma Form Bureau.
Advertising
Jake Kilian
Erin Portman
Photography
Molly Hamlin
Circulation
Katlin Amaral
Managing Editor
Shelly Peper Sitton
Assistant Managing Editors
Dwayne Cartmell
Cindy Blackwell
Cover Photo by Molly Hamlin
Okl.iliom~Sl1ucUnlv~r~i(}',in oomp!ianc~wid1Title VI ilnd Vll of 1ht Civil RighlSAcr of 1964. Ex«uli'"·cOrder 11246 ~~ended.lid,: JXof lhc-Eduatjonal Amendmentsof 1972. Amt-ricans\vilh l1is:.JbilhJnAcl of 1990 .andmhtr fodc-ralLaws;md niguLuJoru.docs not discrimin~leon the b:;,is of r.i<"r, color. rution.:i.lorigin. gtndcr .1ge.rcligion. d~biUry or .swus as a vcccra.nin -iUJYofit5.policies, pt:1ctkcs or pmcedurC".~.This indudcs bm L!iflot limited m admis<ion~.c-mplo~·mem.ftn:mdal 2ltf Jnd c-duc..uion.'1sc-:rvic..-cs.·1M puhlic-.11ionh prinrcd b)' QucbccorWorld-J\.fall;md .-nd is.'j;ucdrwn uma .ayc;u by agrit'l..l.!turJ.ICQrnmunic;i.tions~r1ion {n 1hcCoH~ of Agrkuhural ii:m;cs.,ind, .nul'll ~uttt:1. It ha.sbttn prq>,1rcd;iml Ji~rrib111ed at nQ WH ,o the 1;u:p.i.yen of Okbhom:a.. Visitthe Cowboy Journal Web site at http://cowboyjournal.okstate.edu.
ALUMNI
A different kind of chair• 14
Donor provide support for the future of agriculture at OSU.
Big sister makes big impact • 34
Alumna become involved wicb Big Brother Big ister
A family legacy continues throughout a century • 40
Family of O U alumni support O U and Oklahoma agriculrure.
Ag Alumni News • 48
Ag Alumni Association promotes upcoming events.
STUDENTS
Bringing Cowboys to the country• 18
0 U work to solve the rural veterinarian shortage in Oklahoma.
CASNRsets the bar high • 31
Blake Bixler wins the CASNR outstanding senior award.
RESEARCH
DASNRgoes fishing• 29
DAS R researches blue catfish popuJadons in Oklahoma.
Adding more value • 32
FAPC put more money in Oklahoma watermelon producers' packers.
FACULTY
Gifts beyond measure • 8
Donald Wagner and Charles Taliaferro retire.
Far and away research• 24 abbaricals prove to be great invesm1enr for CAS R faculty.
iTeaching reaches CASNR• 46
Patricia Ayoubi brings new technology ro her classrooms.
EXTENSION
A healthy heartland primes Oklahoma for the future • 6
Seate project helps farmers and ranchers back inco agricultural production.
Oklahoma blooms • 16
OSU offer Oklahomans a unique learning opportunity in the garden.
Connecting cattlemen of excellence • 21
Oklahomans provides hands-on training to Mexican cattle ranchers.
Shooting through the ages • 26
Shooting sport enriches youm and adults across Oklahoma.
A new focus for dairy producers • 37
Oklahoma dairy producer gather to increase dairy efficiency.
The beginning of a dream • 44
CulruralJy diverse youth learn rnrough hands-on agriculcure.
A healthy heartland primes Oklahoma for the future
By JAKEKILIAN, Medford, Okla.
When farmers look to find n w ways ro improve their land or crop productiviry, mosr rry fertilizers, pesricides or mix their farming patterns from convenrional rilling to no-rill farming. For John and Kris Gosney of Fai1view, Okla., GO Organic would be the way of their future.
"Starcing our organic farming was never really planned" John said. "The idea just kind of evolved."
For the Gosneys, organic farming scarred when they fir r purchased organic land from their neighbor, who was an organic farmer. Even though rhey were nor interested 111 organic farming, they decided co give it a cry.
"Geeting carted was difficult," John aid. 'Kris and 1 had to read many books, do research and arrend organic meetings co learn from others already in the business."
Although the land was already organic-certified by an out-of-state cerrifying agency, the Gosneys said they learned quickly records and darn always had co be collected ro make ure no conraminanc appeared in the soil. Also, an agency inspector comes annually ro run soil rest to make sure the land stays certified.
" ince we were moscly wheat producers, we decided co sray with wheat and scare planring and harvesting organic whear," John said.
Rai ing organic wheat means having more rules and regulations to follow. Fir·t, producer cannot use any pesticides or fercilizers to rry ro improve the yield of the wheat. Traditional farmers usually wam to know how organic farmers help increase the producriviry of their wheat crop and keep off the insects. John said the key ingredienr co a great wheat crop i good oil.
"Having healthy organic soil plays a big parr in having healthy wheat crops," John aid. "Also, you can add sugars, haul in soft rock phosphate from mines or even practice crop rotation to help keep a healthy organic soil.'
One main regularion organic farmer have to follow i a certain standard sec by the Oklahoma Deparanenr of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and each year the ODAFF has a cerrified annual review as well a derailed record on che land and wheat crop.
When it was rime for the Gosneys to harve r their organic wheat, they hauled wheat to mill on emi cru ks or by train car Afrer rhey realized the demand for organic wheac, chey decided to try marketing their wheat kernels and chcir wholewheat flour.
"We never thought the demand for organic wheat and wheat productS would be so high," John aid. "We feel formnace co be chis far in the business with a product more and more people wanr and desire."
When the Gosneys starred proces ing whole-wheat flour, they found ir, coo, had co be ODAFFcerrifted, which involved making changes in their operation.
Before marketing, the Gosneys learned from the orthwe cTechnology Center about Oklahoma Seate Universiry's Food and AgriculcuraJ Products Center. FAPC workshops help enrrepreneurs gain knowledge on scarring a small busine
"We provide the basic training workshop cl1ethird Thursday in every month," said Chuck Willoughby, FAPC marketing specialist. "Our main goals for our cliencs include educating chem about the food induscry, exposing challenges they might face and assisting chem with their marketing scraregy."
Willoughby said the workshops provide enrrepreneurs marketing development opporruni cies.
"When we visited OSU's FAPC, chey were able co help us design a label and give u idea on how to package our produces," Kris said.
The Gosneys now package and label their whole-wheat flour and wheat kernels in rheir licensed facilities and disuibure chem through places such as the OSU-OKC Farmers Marker, Oklahoma Food Co-op and the Health Food Cenrer located in Oklahoma Ciry. They also ship produces direcrly co consumers.
Because the demand for organic wheat kernels and whole-wheat flour is high, rhe Gosneys are discove.ing new way co package produces.
"We work very bard in rrying to keep up with the orders," Kris said. "We need to redesign our labeling ysrem so we can be more efficienc and ship our produces faster."
A different producr has evolved from the Gosneys' GO Organic wheat products: Carrie Tracks Beef This product involves buying cows, bringing chem to rhe operation and feeding rhem organic feed.
"We are feeding nothing bur organic ro our cattle to produce natural beef, which is free from vaccines and growth implants,'' John said. "The operation is difficult because we have ro moniror and keep records of everything the cow ear."
Just like the GO Organic program, the Gosneys rake dara every day co ensure the beef is organic-certified. A representative from ODAFF also tests their cattle to ensure the organic certification.
"J have talked to farmer , ranchers and other consumers who call and wonder whar exactly you can feed your cattle to make sure they stay or-
ganic," John aid. "We feed organi hay, grass, oars and barley, and rhis year we bought some organic milo. We also like co mix probioric, narural enzyme and bacteria wirh mall amounts of grain co help with the cattle's digestive sy rem."
When the Gosneys were ready co proces rheir cattle they ran into problems. Organic beef has to be processed by a certified-organic proce or. However, no certified beef processors operate in Oklahoma.
"Lucky for us, we found a certified organic beef processor in Kiowa Kan., which i only one mile aero rhe stare line," John said. "The grear thing abour ir is the Kiowa beef processor was able to work with rhe ODAFF ro cerrify our beef with the Oklahoma seal even though they were in Kansas."
The Go ney ' organic beef can be found ar rhe san1e locarions as the GO Organic products. The osneys said GO Organic and Cattle Tracks Beef have been a grear business for their family.
"We hope ome day that we rnighr be able ro open our operation co the public for people to come and see rhe difference of raising organic," Kri aid.~
For more information about the Gosneys and their GO Organic products, please visit their Web site at http://www.johnsfo,·m.com. To Learn more about FAPC, visit its Web site at http://www.fapc.biz.
John (right) and Kris Gosney market their GO Organic flour throughout Oklahoma. (Above photo by Jake Kilian; opposite page photo by Mandy Gross)
Left: The new swine barn was dedicated in December 2004.
Donald Wagner (right) and John Staude, assistant herd manager, inspect a two-week-old litter in the farrowing house.
(Photo by Erin Portman) Right: Charles Taliaferro is known for his research in bermudagrass.
(Photo by Todd Johnson)
Gifts beyond measure
By ERIN PORTMAN, Calera, Okla.
With a combined 80 years of working for Oklahoma rare Universicy and more rhan 460 journal anicle , book and publication between them, two distinguished members of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources faculcy are saying goodbye ro O U.
Donald Wagner, department head of animal science, and Charle Taliaferro, regents professor emerims in plant and oil sciences, have retired from OSU.
Both men held similar cypes of positions in CASNR. Taliaferro worked in research with graduate students; Wagner worked wich undergraduate and graduate rudenr Both left distinguishing marks on che universicy and che college.
Donald Wagner
Wagner starred with O U in I 965 as pan of the Point IV Program
in Ethi pia after graduating with his doctoral degree from Cornell Universicy in Ithaca, N.Y.
Point IV was a government program implemented by the United Scace in cooperation with universities ro establish land-granr-cype universities in other parts of the world, Wagner aid.
The program needed someone who was well-grounded in animal cience and knew about more than one species of livestock.
"They needed someone who knew quire a bit abour a lor of different thing in rhe Uve cock industry," Wagner said. "Forrunately, I had what rhey were looking for."
Point IV la red for l 5 years. Wagner was in Ethiopia for the Anal three years of the program.
"By char time the program was rran irioned becau e srudent who had gone through the program and
received their advanced rrammg 111 rhe U.S. or Europe were taking the program over," Wagner said.
Wagner's rime in Ethiopia was similar to his teachings at OSU.
"For many years, I have taught a variecy of nutrition courses in the livestock area," Wagner said. "I taughr applied nutrition and advanced beef cornses off campus in many locations."
While an employee of OSU, Wagner traveled to more rhan 30 counrries, including Morocco and rhe Middle Ea t.
"You really come back with a different per peccive in many respects," Wagner aid. "One thing you appreciate is chis country and the many wonderful benefits we have, and you realize the rest of rhe world may nor have been blessed like we are."
While growing up in western Ohio, Wagner and his family were
involved in ra1s111gbeef and dairy cattle, sheep and two breeds of purebred swine. With his background, animal science was a natural fir.
"J truly love livesrock and always have," Wagner said. "Ir' nor just cattle or pigs or sheep. I like all kinds. I never truly thought about ocher areas."
Even though he never thought abouc other areas for a profession, Wagner ha intere rs in diverse areas.
"I rook cour e in economics, horriculrure, Uterarure and language," Wagner said. "I was never interested in doing just the minimum and graduated wich more hours rhan needed for a bachelor's degree because I like school."
The animal cience department went through many changes in research, reaching and extension while Wagner was chere.
"Sophistication of research ha become more extensive, and the importance of research has increased " Wagner said. "There i a lot more research support from gram sources chan in the past."
The depanmenr also has seen demographics change in che gender and background of student In che 1980s, only 5 percent of animal science srudenrs were female. The percenrnge of female scudenrs in rhe I 990s jumped to 30 percent, and today, 60 percent of all animal science tudenrs are female. The current freshman class is 70 percent female.
"When I started in chis deparcmenr, female students were a rarity and urban students were almo c nonexiscent," Wagner said. " ow, more rhan half of the rudenrs have no farm or ranch background."
The number of srudenrs from ocher states also has increased.
"Lase decade we had an average of 35 to 37 states represenced," Wagner said. "Currencly, one-third of our undergraduates are our-of-scare students. This i a lirde more chan three rimes che un.iversiry average."
Our-of-stare srudenrs come ro the animal science deparrmenr becau e of rhe OSU livesrock program's reputation, the livesrock resource base and the department' reputation
for reaching, advising and believing in rudenrs, Wagner said.
In excension, rhe way rhe depanmen t conduct program and approaches the needs of agriculturists has changed.
"Extension has always been customer service-orienced," he said. "Today's focus i more specialized."
Today, few mid-size farms exist; therefore, exren ion offer program ro meet the needs of borh large and small farms, Wagner said.
"The environment has changed," Wagner said, "and che exten ion program meets char."
Edwin Miller, a so iate dean for academic programs in CAS R, was a fellow departmenc head with Wagner. Miller was in forestry while Wagner was in animal science.
"Dr. Wagner was good at his job because he was a good manager, continued to have a positive attitude, was a good leader and was a good philosopher," Miller aid. "He under rood chc imporrancc of chis department in teaching, research and extension to people in che state. The next animal science depanmenc head needs to address all three a peers, al o."
Wagner was always quick to give credit ro his colleagues, as well.
"A faculry, I do nor fully believe we ever really accomplish anything by ourselves," Wagner aid. "Bue if we are fortunate enough to work in the right pla e and be urrounded by the righc people, ic is amazing to see what good things can happen."
Charles Taliaferro
Taliaferro transferred ro O U afcer obtaining an associate's degree from Murray Scare College in Tishomingo, Okla. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in agronomy wirh a field crop opcion, Taliaferro wem to Texas A&M University in College ration, Texas, to continue his studies. He obcained his Master of Science in agronomy in 1965 and his Docror of Philosophy in planr breeding and genetics in 1966.
While completing his doctoral degree Taliaferro worked in Tifron, Ga., for the Agricultural Research. ervice, a division of rhe U.S. Deparrmenr of Agriculture. ln August I 968, Taliaferro accepted a position wirh OSU in che plane and soil sciences division.
"The posicion was attractive, and it was exacdy che kind of position l felt I wanted," Taliaferro said.
"Ir was a position where I could do research wirh species in which I held an inreresc and also interact wich graduate students. These pecies were perennial grasses and primarily bermudagra s, which was what J was working with in Georgia."
Taliaferro became interested in che agronomy field while working on rhe family farm.
"I developed an interesc in crops, and plants in general, while in high school as a parricipanc in FFA and as ociared farming acciviries," Taliaferro said. "Also, agronomy inscructor John Ringwald at Murray rate
The Willard Sparks Beef Research Center is one of the premier research centers in the nation. Graduate student Ben Holland (left), Donald Wagner and associate professor Clint Krehbiel work there along with dozens of undergraduate students. (Photo by Erin Portman)
Charles Taliaferro works with bermudagrass in the greenhouses on OSU's campus. (Photo by Erin Portman)
College strengthened my inceresr in rhe discipline, and I felt rhe discipline offered good career opporrunitie· and an opporcunity co concribute co the well-being of society."
Throughout his 37 years ar 0 U, Taliaferro advised 14 master's scudents and 15 doctoral srudencs.
"One of rhe highlights of my career was the many graduate student [ advised," Taliaferro aid. "Jr i pleasing ro me co see success in rheir lives and ee the conrriburions they have made and are making in the field."
These studenrs are working in rhe United rates, audi Arabia, Columbia and Thailand in leader hip position with universities and private organizations.
A former scudenc, Yanqi Wu, cook Taliaferro' po ition when he left the university.
Wu finished his doccoral degree in 2004 while working with molecular, cymgenetic and morphological characterizarion of Cynodon germplasm accessions under Taliaferro.
"Dr. Wu is well-trained," said Robert Westerman Division of Agricultural cienccs and atural Resources assistant vice presidenc for program upporc. 'We look forward to eeing his program grow and maintain the same level of quality as Dr. Taliaferro's program."
Taliaferro worked mainly with bermudagras while at OSU. He contributed many hours co research co berrer explain the biological bases ofbermudagras in terms of breeding and genetic control of traits.
"In addirion ro basic re earch over the years, we have attempted to improve variecie through breeding," Taliaferro said. "The breeding was directed at devel ping better varieties for borh pasture a11dturf use."
Taliaferro is responsible for developing Riviera Bermudagrass, a cold-hardy mrf gra e tabli hed by eeding. Riviera i used domestically throughout orher parts of the world where bermudagra s has been adopted. Riviera al o is used in Stillwater,
Okla., at The Links aparcmenc complex on rhe golf course fairways.
Patriot another turf bermudagras developed by Taliaferro, is used throughout the United States, panicularly in the upper sourh becau e of it cold hardiness and high rurf quality. Ir is used on rhe OSU practice football field and baseball infield. Super Bowl XLI winners, rhe Indianapolis Colrs, also use Patriot on their practice field.
"Dr. Taliaferro is the premier planr breeder in rurf and forage grasses in the world," Westerman said. ''He has a long history of producing varieries that are superior co other varieties in the marketplace."
Taliaferro saw significant changes within the plane and soil sciences department during his 37 years.
"Teaching, research and extension programs in the department have changed as mandated by the rapid expansion of new knowledge, changing dynan1ks of agriculrure, environmental concerns and globalization " Taliaferro said. "The revolution in molecular biology direcrly impacts agronomy, particularly wich respect co the development and use of new plant varieries."
imilar ro animal science, the planr and oil science department saw demographic changes.
"The number of female and minority rudencs in agronomy has increased, and an increasing number of agronomy majors come from urban backgrounds," Taliaferro said.
Taliaferro's most memorable experiences wirh O U were his interactions wirh graduate srudents and faculty with whom he worked.
"Any accomplishment I have made over the 37 years I was active has to be partially attributed to the support from administration, fellow faculty and graduate student ," Taliaferro said. "Virrually all my wotk involved faculty colleagues and graduate cudents, and there was a great deal of multidisciplinary effort."
Wirh alumni working in Wagner' and Taliaferro' respective fields, their legacies will live on in rhe agricultural world although OSU has wished rhem "happy retirement!"~
AgrAbility assists ambitious agriculturalists
By LARRYMATTOX,Drumright,Okla.
A mile adorned the face of everyone in the shop, but no mile matched chat of the farmer who sat in the driver's seat. With rwo thumb up, Donald Jantz. greeted those who had gathered. His greeting was received by a cheering crowd and a thumbs up from another happy man, Hubert Von Holten.
Janrz a farmer from Grady County, will now be able co get into his rraccor more easily with the help of a lift provided by Von Holten and a program called AgrAbiliry.
The program serves individuals who w uld like to maintain a lifestyle working in agriculture after an accident.
"Ir helps individuals who have a handicap that pr vents them from doing their job," said Raymond Huhnke, Oklahoma AgrAbiliry Proj-
ect direccor. "AgrAbilicy gives chem ome in ighr a to what rhey can change on their farm to make their job easier and safer.
"Oklahoma rare University's tie co AgrAbility i very direct," Huhnke said. "The funds are available through the United cares Deparanent of Agriculrure. Those fimds come through the extension arm of the university."
Huhnke said the univer icy' role is to act as the educational arm of the program.
"We educate the agriculrural community about rhe ability AgrAbilicy bas in assisting farmers and rancher as well as communicating what other agencies can provide in term of ervices and advice," Huhnke said.
Oklahoma AgrAbilicy i a Jome project of the Oklahoma Coopera-
rive Extension ervice, rhe enter for Outreach Programs at Langston University and the Oklahoma Assisrive Technology oundacion.
District 4 l rate Representative and AgrAbilicy client John Enns said he would like to ee the AgrAbilicy Project grow.
"I would like to ee more funding for AgrAbilicy," Enns said. "I had an accident on April 21 2004. It was a heavy equipment rollover, and I was in the hospital for two months. I got in touch with vocational rehab who got me in touch with AgrAbilicy. I found that it was a very profesional organization."
Enns introduced legislation that, if pas ed, could impact gready rhe furure of AgrAbilicy.
"The bill basically creates a state AgrAbiliry program," Enns said.
(Photo by Sarah Allison)
Donald Jantz of Chickasha will be able to get into his tractor a little easier with the help of his new tractor lift, made possible by the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project.
(Photo by Larry Mattox)
"Righr now, we are nor appropriaring any money with ir. Bue in che furure, as funds become available then maybe we can pirch some in. We are hoping to establi h a tare match of the federal program."
When he is nor in che office, Enns spends much of his time at his farm sourhwesr of Enid.
"We farmed a lirtle over 1,000 acre.s of wheat, alfalfa, milo and pasrure land for cacde," Enns said. "Some of ir was rented land. After my accidenr, we lee one of my friends farm some of it, so now I am down co farming 320 acres. l hope to bring rhar up eventually.
"AgrAbiliry came out and helped me problem solve," Enns said. "They came out and assessed che situation, infrially, and saw what kind of injury I had, and suggesred equipment rhar I needed. Then they gor me in couch with che people who could provide me wirh rhac.
'This i one of che most professional inscirutions rhat I have ever worked with," Enns sajd_ "With an established , rare AgrAbiliry pro-
gram, and I would hope an increase in funding, maybe we could double the efforts. We already have federal funding; now we could possibly ger scare funding and help so many more get back inro agriculture."
According co AgrAbiliry, approximately 17,000 Oklahomans working in agriculrure experience injuries char limit their ability co perform essential farm rasks. The program helps people in all ecror of agriculrure and can provide adaptations for nearly any disability.
'Tm jusr glad char I will ger co keep farming wirh chis equipment, and I am able co give ir another try," Jancz said. "If ic wasn't for chis equipment or orher outside help, then I would have had co quit farming. I just couldn't do it."
Jamz has paralysis of che lower limbs, a condition char developed when he was a young child. He said he has been confined co a wheelchair for about three years.
With the help of AgrAbiliry, Jamz will be able co cominue working the land his dad once farmed.
"] sraned farming with my dad when I was abour 14 years old," Jantz said. "When he passed away, I rook over rhe farm.
"We rai e about 140 acres of whear and 90 acres of alfalfa for hay," Janrz. said. "The resc i pasture for cacde."
Janrz said the farm ha been in che family for more than 80 years.
"Farming is omeching I grew up doing," Jantz aid. "I like co get out there and see things grow. Of cour e it' got a lot of back sets, too, like the rain coming when your hay is cur. Those are things char just go along with it. Bur I wouldn't wanr to do anything else. I don't chink f could go and sic in an office all day. I just don't chink I could handle ir."
Jantz learned about the services AgrAbiliry offer from the sraff ar his local rraccor dealership.
"l went co che implement dealer and rold him char I needed a way co get in my cracror," Jantz said. "He got on the Internet and then someone from AgrAbiliry called me. Then Carla Wilhite, the occupational therapist for AgrAbiliry, came out and interviewed me, and that is how ir scarred. They made recommendation on what kind of equipment I needed and turned the case over co vocational rehab."
After the AgrAbiliry occupational therapist meets with rhe clients and assesses their needs, manufacrurer like Von Holcen are contracted ro bwld the eqwpmenr.
Von Holren's company, Life Esentials, has been involved in many AgrAbiliry projects across the nation, bur Von Holren's company designs more than just tractor lift
"We build produces char give people the ability to work," he said.
AgrAbiliry i unique in its approad1 co rehabilitation services.
"We don't just cry ro place our clients in any job" aid Traci Naile, Oklahoma AgrAbiliry coorrnnaror. "We cry ro make it easier for chem ro gee back ro doing their own job in agriculture."~
For more infarmati.on about AgrAbility, visit http://agrabiLity.okstate.edu or call 405-744-2398.
A differentkind of chair
By MOLLY HAMLIN, Collinsville, Okla.
He graduated wich a Bachelor of cience in animal cience in 1964 from Oklahoma Stare University and then with a Master of Science in the same field in 1969. Education has been a large part of his life, and he i giving back co che school char gave him so much. His name is
Dennis White, and he and his wife, Marca, are ensuring che Department of Animal cience will continue co be successful.
Dennis, a native of Ninnekah, Okla., met Marta, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia who gained political asylum in che Uniced Scates in 1969, while working in the same building at Elanco re earch headquarters in Greenfield, Ind.
"] would have liked to work in Oklahoma bur I enjoyed Indiana, and it was a great company chere wasn'c a company in Oklahoma like char," Dennis said.
Dennis worked for Elanco, which is the animal healch division of Eli Lilly, while Marca wa a senior librarian for the company. Prior to working for Eli Lilly Marra worked as a chemi t developing lipstick for Elizabeth Arden. he joined Eli Lilly when che firm acquired Elizabeth Arden in 1971.
They moved to Ninnekah Okla. in 1999, and have been ranching there ever since. They are involved in accivirie such a the Sirloin Club and the Oklahoma AgriculruraJ Leadership Encoun-
(Photoby Molly Hamlin)
cer. Marca also serves as a docenr ac rhe arional Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma Ciry; Dennis serves as a nonresident fellow for che oble Foundation.
In 2004, Dennis and Marra decided co create an endowmenc ar his alma macer and che school she has adopted. They chose to screngrhen che animal science department because of their belief in che College of Agriculrural ciences and Natural Resources.
For donors like che Whites, che deci ion co endow a chair rather than set up a scholarship fund was obviou . While working on hi doctorate ar Texas A&M, Dennis was involved in research and aw rhe influence professors have. Tltls experience coupled wich marched funds from rhe state, allowing rhe money to go furcher, made che decision ea ier, Denni said.
Their decision to endow a chair, chough, was not concingenr on matched funds.
"A really good professor influences lots of students; a scholarship only goes to a few," Dennis said.
The Denni and Marta White .Endowed Chair in Animal cience, which i dedicated to improving stocker nutrition and health, is waiting for tare matching funds. For now, rhe animal science depanmeru has nor een direct benefirs of the endowment. Marta, however, pointed our che indirect benefit of generating interest in endowmems: The Dr. Roberr "Bob" Tomsek Endowed Chair in Animal cience.
Dennis was involved with che Torusek Endowed hair, erving as chairman of rhe fundraising commirree. He was elected chairman by his fellow committee members ar cbe first meeting. He arrribures chis to rhe available time he had a wdl as his confidence in asking for money for chi cau e.
Acquiring fund for the Totusek endowment rook about a year and came from nearly 400 individuals and indusrry partners - he largest number of contributors for a single endowed chair.
Dennis was nor only able to help recognize rhe impact of his former adviser bur also ro ensure Torusek' legacy would live on in rhe animal science departmenc.
"Endowments fund research, recruit professor , provide funding for conference or allow for graduate assistants," said Becky Endicorr, director of marketing and communications at the O U Foundation.
Donors who would like to endow a faculty po ition have rwo oprions: a faculty chair or a professorship. A chair is a larger gift esrabli hed wirh a minimum $1 million while the minimum for a professorship is $500,000. Both forms of an endowment qualify for matching fund from the Oklahoma State Regencs for Higher Educarion. According to the O U Foundation, the e marching fund provide faculty with greater research capabilities. hairs and professorship can be named after che donor, like the Whites, or after a memorable educa-
tor, like the Totusek chair. Endowed faculty positions guarantee OSU's continued academic srrengrh and excellence because only inve tment earning are pent.
"The endowed faculty positions increase rhe prestige of a college," Endicort said.
CAS R currently has 24 endowed positions, ranking second ar O U behind rhe pears chool of Busine s. Endowed positions attract reputable faculty ro che college, Endicott said.
The faculty members who hold chairs and professorships are considered experts in their fields and are highly regarded in the academic world, according to the OSU Foundarion.
Endowed po irion nor only establish excellence ar OSU, buc also rhey increase rhe status of the faculty member in char position. These professors increase the universitys ability to artracr and rerain oursranding educarors.
The Whites ee the impact great educators have on scudencs, and they would like co see students give back when they have the opportunity.
"When you are able, give back co the school" Dennis said.
Dennis has given back with more than money co OSU; he currencly erves on the board of governors for the OSU Foundation. He has served four y ar with the Animal cience Alumni Association, including one year a president. For rhe past four years, he has been found lecturing once a semester in Gerald Horn' tocker and feedlot managemenc class.
With their volunteering spirit, the White· have ome advice for cudents and young alumni.
"Don't be afraid ro leave Oklahoma and experience ocher races or even incernacional as ignmencs," Marra said.
"Take ri k ," Denni chimed in. They have both taken risks: Marra when she left zechoslovakia all rho e years ago and Dennis when he left the comfort of rural Oklahoma. ow, rheir endowment will couch the lives of counrle rudencs who will do the same.
For moreinformationon how your financial contributionscan benefit the CollegeofAgriculturalSciencesand Natural Resources,call FrancieTolleat 405744-7964 or visithttp:l/O Ugiving.com.
Dennis and Morta White, pictured at their Ninnekah, Okla., ranch ore supporters of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. {Photo courtesy of the OSU Foundation)
By KATHRYNBOLAY,Perry,Okla.
Education i the root to developing a blossoming and fruitful skiJI ser. The development of uch knowledge in che area of horciculrure and landscape activities is a main focus of the Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum ysrem.
Buddingknowledge
Signed into law in 1991, chc statewide arboretum sysrem make Oklahoma one of cwo rate to have such a program. This organization, coordinated by the Oklahoma State Univerisry Department of Honiculture and Landscape Archirecrure, links gardens arboreta, parks and zoos across Oklahoma.
''The Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum system starred from the standpoint of recognizing a need and looking ar an opporruniry" said Dale Maronek, horticulture and landscape architecrure deparm1ent head and direcror of the OBGA.
The horticul.ture and landscape archirecrure department presenced the concept of a tatewide system to several tare legislacors.
"We were successful in getting legislation passed to create the racewide botanical garden system," Maronek said. "The legislation al o designated the Division of Agriculcural ciences and atural Resource as being the leader in the sy~tem area."
The OBGA conducts research and communicates results through workshops, shorr courses and TV programs. Oklahomans of all ages can enjoy educational display gardens and conservation areas. The 0 U Botanical Garden serve a the headquarters and is located on 100 acres in tillwater, Okla.
''A we looked at all the different things we do, we choughr developing our botanical garden here at Oklahoma race and then using our ex-
tension programming efforts would allow us co help other gardens get scarred " Maronek said.
The OBGA system consists of 18 affiliate gardens located rhroughou c the scare. 0 U helps chese garden become establi hed, or if they are already established, chey are assisted in creating mor community development, Maronek said.
"The system is a value-added project," Maronek said. "Through research and extension, we disseminate information to affiliate gardens. Wirh rbcse gardens siruated across the scare, we can di tribute plants a11d have the gardens help evaluate the performance."
Gardensbloom
The OBGA system houses a variety of affiliate gardens, from zoos to arboretums and botanical gardens ro wildJjfe preserves. These garden erve as a museum of coUected living
plants. The living plants are grown for exhibition and scientific srudy in a botanical garden or a a collecrion of trees and shrubs in an arboretum.
"The common glue for these gardens is plants and education," Maronek said. "Regardless of if it's a zoo or a public park area needing ro be developed, the common tie is plants and the willingness co display and hare information about them."
This variety of opporrunicic allows k1al1oman ro learn abour horticulture and landscape activities within the stare. The headquarter garden nor only houses a botanical garden bm also is home to other edu acional opporrunicie Th e include the award-winning television show "Oklahoma ardening" and a research center for rurf, greenhouse and nursery indu tries.
"Because of rhe OBGA arrangement, we can go co the e botanical garden and promote them and their
The Myriad Botanical Gardens, located in Oklahoma City, is an affiliate member of the OBGA system. (Above photo courtesy of Myriad Botanical Gardens; left photo by Kathryn Bolay)
differem evems on our relevision show," Maronek said. "We can help wirh markering, science, programs, educarion and information transfer."
While the OSU Boranical Garden serves as an outdoor classroom for members of the communicy and state, it also serves as a resource for faculcy membeJs wirhin rhe O U Department of Horciculrure and Landscape Architecture. Student use the facilities ro gain experience by planting, roainraining and designing areas with.in the gardens.
Michael Holmes, assi rant professor of landscape architecture uses che gardens for rhe capstone course he reaches. This cour e develops cudenrs' design techniques, computer skills, construcrion mechods and application for rhe landscape industry.
"For rwo weeks our of che semester, we are working ar rhe OSU gardens,'' Holmes said. "Each semester, the class develops a wooden structure project and a hard- cape surface."
In the fall 2006 semester, rhe students rook cheir le on outside ro create a phy ical outdoor classroom for che OSU Botanical Gardens.
'The class created a 500-squarefoot concrete-paver walkway and a serie of wooden benches chat now make up an outdoor classroom accommodaring up ro 40 studencs," Holme said.
For students wichin the consrruction class, che opporrunicy for real-world experience is invaluable.
"I can say I've had some experience," said Jessica Waugh, landscape architecture enior. "Ir's helpful and beneficial because employers find it positive that you've had hands-on experience even though you haven't had a job yer."
Membership grows
As the O U Botanical Garden continue ro grow and develop, rhe OBGA system a a whole continues ro grow. As more gardens are developed, oppormniries for Oklahomans to learn about the many industrie involved in horciculrure and landscape architecture are on che rise.
The OBGA also has a membership organization for people committed ro conserving Oklahoma's nacural resources, supporting educarional programs, and preserving the land' horticultural and landscape heritage.
"As an individual member of OBGA, people can participate in our workshops and programs as weU as get informarion about different evenc ar our affiliate garden acros the state," Maronek said.
Whether being an individual member of OBGA or working with an affiliate garden, Oklahomans ra.k-
• Cann Memorial Gardens (Ponca City)
• Honor Heights Park (Tulsa)
• Joe Allyn Lowe Park (Bartlesville)
• Lendonwood Gardens (Grand Lake)
• McAlester Arboretum
• Morrison Arboretum
• Myriad Botanical Gardens (Oklahoma City)
• orthern Oklahoma College (Tonkawa)
Jessica Waugh (left), landscape architecture senior, and an industry professional, install brick pavers at the OSU Botanical Gardens as part of the Construction Ill class. (Photo courtesy of Michael Holmes)
ing advancage of chis rare opporrunicy within the state are developing their knowledge and making their gardens grow.
Centennial celebrations
As Oklahoma celebrates its cemennial, the centennial committee has developed a chance for communities across che scare to create a living tribute ro the communicy and rhe state with a Centennial Grove.
The e commemorative groves will serve as permanent monuments by planting 100 trees in any communicy, enJ,ancing its geographical feature This project is a program of The Tree Bank Foundarion.
If you are interested in e cablishing a Cencennial Grove in your community, call The Greater Oklahoma City Tree Bank Foundation at 405-330-4701 or visit hrrp://www. rhetreebank.org.
• Omniplex Gardens & Greenhouse (Oklahoma City)
• 0 U-Oklahoma City
• University ofTulsa
• Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum
• Washington Irving Memorial Park & Arboretum (Tulsa)
• Will Roger Park & Arborecum (Oklahoma City)
• Woodward Park & Arboretum (Tulsa)
• Woolaroc Museum, Wildlife Pre erve & Gardens
• Oklahoma City Zoological Park & BotanicaJ Garden (Bartlesville)
• OSU Botanical Garden (Stillwater)
OSUpreveterinarianstudent Matt Bauer, Sallisaw,Okla., looks to his future in veterinary medicine with excitementas he plans to practice in rural Oklahoma. (Photo by Wravenna
Phipps)
In recent years, more and more veterinarians are choosing ro practice near large communities. Consequendy, rural communities face a dilemma: a hortage of rural and food animal veterinarians.
Oklahoma State Univer ity's Center for Veterinary Health ciences ha implemented the Veterinarians for Rural Oklahoma Initiative ro deal with chi issue. The goal for this program is ro bring Cowboy veterinarians back ro the country.
"This program is designed ro increase graduates in rural communities, specifically in food animal positions," said Michael Lorenz, 0 U CVH dean.
Why Cowboy veterinarians are leaving rural areas
Lorem said money is che primary reason for the deficit of largeanimal veterinarians. With the inflated cost of veterinary school, most graduates choose to locate in or near metropolitan cities becau e of the increase in dientele and additional opporrunities for pecialized practice. This ha led co the increase of mall-animal veterinarian , he said.
"Most vets graduate with debt ranging from $60,000 co $80,000," Lorenz said. "With this kind of A-
nancial situation, most cudenrs are looking for che best paying opportunities when chey graduate and chese tend to be in larger communitie ."
Along with chis, most veterinarians are double-income families, Lorenz aid.
"To make ends meet, most vets havea pou eorsignificanrotherwho brings in a second income," Lorenz said. "However, there are limited job opportunities in rural communities, which add to the decision of practicing in more populated areas."
Mose srudenr attending veterinary school are from urban areas, which also contributes to the shonage of rural veterinarian Con equently, practicing in a rural location does nor fit their background or interest, Lorenz said.
"Only 3 percent of high school srudencs are from rural backgrounds," Lorenz said. "Mo c vec students are three to four generations removed from acrual experiences with large animals and a rural lifestyle."
Furrhermore, che dedication and hours of being a large-animal veterinarian in a rural community is nor always appealing, Lorenz aid.
"Ir is nor your typical 8 a.m. co 5 p.m. job," Lorenz aid. "You never know when you might have an emer-
gency or have co drive a long way becau e you are che only vet around."
However, there is a positive. Veterinarians uch as Alvin Baumwarr, rural veterinarian of Arapaho, Okla., find the rural communities perfect for animal are.
''There is no more fulfilling profe ion than being a large-animal vet," Baumwarc said. "God made the veterinary profession special. We have co use knowledge, sense and ralenrs to do our job right."
Benefits to rural veterinarians
Baum ware and his three children graduaced from the OSU vecerinary college. His daughter, Angie DuBois, graduated in 1999, son Ryan in 2002 and on had in 2004.
He said he initially encouraged hi children co pur ue ocher careers. However, he said they could see how he enjoyed his job and wanted tl1e same ching. Thi , coupled with their experience growing up involved his veterinary practice, helped chem develop a passion for chis career at a young age, he said.
''It was a decision chey made for them elves," Baumwarc said.
Baumwan said he cho e co be a vet because he wamed variety and a working environment chat wa ever-
changing. He said this would also provide him wirh something new to learn every day.
"The greatest advantage to being a vet in rural Oklahoma is every day you get to go out and accomplish something significant," Bawnwart said. "Working outdoors with farmers, ranchers and country people makes chi job enjoyable."
Although Baumwart said he would absolutely do it all again, his life is not all fun and relaxacion.
"It's hard," Baumwan said. "With this profession, we are the lowest paid, we work harder and think more, and there arc no rips."
Bawnwarc said having a upporrive wife who knows and underscands livestock is a must for a rural practitioner. His wife, Donna, plays this role for him and his praccice.
Baumwarr said he would compare che decision of becoming a veterinarian co char of choosing who you would marry.
"You must know a lot about ic before deciding on veterinary medicine as your career," Baumwarr said. ''Ask questions, conduce research, do internships and put yourself in a position ro learn from a professional. Then decide if this is right for you."
According to the O U VHS many rural veterinarians like Baumwart are willing to work with young people ro increa e the number of rural Oklahoma veterinarians.
OSU's initiative
Katrina Meinkoth, manager of veterinary medicine recruitment for OSU, said rhe O U CVH has developed the Veterinarians for Rural Oklahoma Initiative to deal with the horcage of rural veterinarians.
"We started a camp lase summer targeting high chool students," Meinkoth said. "The experiences gained and time spent at O U will work as a recruiting cool for the college and show advantages of being a veterinarian in rural Oklal10ma."
0 U is planning to make chis camp an annual evenr. Campers experience a broad range of veterinary practices with a variety of species.
" tudents were enthusiastic and loved the experience," Meinkoth said. "le opened their eyes of what practice in rural America would be like. That is the goaJ: co educate students and promote rhis occupation."
Lorenz said the camp is funded by the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and is designed for rural kids co be part of a bigger picture of the Veterinarians for Rural Oklahoma Initiative.
In addition to the camp, 0 U is working with che Oklahoma legislature and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, food and Forestry to provide monetary incentives for practitioners in rural location
"The plan is vets who have 10 years or less experience in rural communities and spend 50 percent of
their time with food animals would receive additional financial upporc," Lorenz said.
Lorenz said $15 000 tax free would be paid every year for five years for a person practicing in rural communities of Oklahoma.
A stipulation with chis support, Lorenz said, is recipients must practice there for five to eight years. If they choo e to leave, there i a payback clause. How long they stay determines how much they may have to pay back. lf the recipients stay eight year , they pay nothing back.
"We hope to give 10 of these allocmencs away," Lorenz said.
This totals $150,000 in one year and $750,000 for every five years.
Another idea is to provide incencives for veterinarians ro "reinvent them elve ," Lorenz said.
Group practices help young veterinarians a they are mentored during their first few years of practice.
"Young people come our and want co be mentored - this would do that," Lorenz said.
The mindset is esrabli hed veterinarians provide a position and mentor a recent graduate. Consequently, the graduate would most likely wane to stay in the same environment, Lorenz said.
An additional aspect of the initiative i community support.
"In some cases, rural communities have offered srudencs the opportunity to receive financial support
OSU Statistics
• 132 Oklahoma residentsapply to the OSU veterinarycollege {56 openings available)
Students attending the OSU CVHScamp gain hands-on experience and education to pursue veterinary medicine as a career. (Photo courtesy of OSU CVHS)
OSU veterinary students receive hands-on training during their education. (Photo courtesy of OSU CVHS)
during school, if they return to char communiry to provide animal care for a certain amount of time," Lorenz said. "We would like to ee this happen in more areas."
you are doing your undergraduate work," Meinkorh aid. "Keep your grades up and know how the bu iness world works."
0 U does nor wanr srudenrs from just one demographic, Lorenz The Cowboyway aid. Ac rhe same rime rhey are nor Through rhi initiative, OSU is interested in educating only those dealing with the declining number of pur uing career in rural area veterinarians in rural Oklahoma and "Our vers are leaders wherever also "starting young" with program they land," Lorenz aid. "However, recruitment, Meinkoth said. we are working hard to provide more "If you are interested in becom- veterinarians co rural areas as we see a ing a veterinarian, stay focused while need for care there, specifically with ~-----, food animals."
0 U VHS is committed to its mission: ro educate the world's besr practitioner Through this initiative, U plans to increase rhe number of these practitioners in rural communities.
So where are all the veterinarians going? ome would say rhe ciry. Bur through O V's Vererinarians for Rural Oklahoma Initiative, more Cowboys will go to rhe country.~
J. completethe GraduateRecord Exam and its Biology SubjectTest
4. Completethe electronicapplicationto the Centerfor VeterinaryHealthSciences.
5. Provideofficialcollegetransalpts and three lettersof recommendation(at least one mustbe from a veterinarian)withtheapplication.
Formoreinformation,call CVHSat 405-744-6596.
Connecting cattlemen of excellence
By CHANCEYREDGATE,Waynoka,Okla.
Finding friends in Oklahoma was no challenge for 10 Mexican catde ranchers. hese cardemen found more chan ju t friend ; they discovered fellow ranchers with the same passion to produce high-qualiry beef.
In addition to a shared passion for beef production, che states of Chihuahua and Oklahoma have distinct commonalities: diverse geography, genuine ho pitality, rich agriculcuraJ herirage and economic dependence on che beef indu rry.
Under randing the significance of the beef industry on both sides of rhe border, Enrique anchez Oklahoma Scare Universiry alumnus, serves as he director of the Chihuahua Canlemen' Association. Gerald Horn, OSU animal science professor, said Sanchez completed his doctorate at OSU and is familiar with the beef carrle industry in Oklahoma.
hihuahua i che largest cattle producing state in Me,cico; however, the number of young people returning ro farming and ranching operations is declining.
"We were looking for a prestigious institution of higher education char could march and complemenr our dominant beef cattle production systems," Sanchez said.
With a pas ion to keep young Chihuahuan cardemen on the ranch
in Mexico, anchez used his conracts at O U ro expo e Mexican ranchers ro Oklahoma agriculture, said David Henneberry, 0 U director of international agriculrural programs.
anchez, che ecrerariac for Rural Development, the Chihuahuan Producers Foundation and the Universiry of Chihauhua conceived a program ro reverse the trend of rural youth leaving the scare for work.
The relationship between the two universities starred four years ago with the cooperative animal science docroral program. Horn raughr classes in hihuahua during the summer of 2005.
Afrer rerurning co Stillwater, Hom received a written request from
group of Mexican cattlemen; Rep. Ryan McMullen; Rep. Wade Rousse/at; and Scott Dewald, executive director of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, visited the Oklahoma Capitol. (Photo by Chancey Redgate)
Top: Cow-calf herd at the Charles Nichols Ranch, Arnett, Okla. (Photo by Gerald Horn; artwork by Chancey Redgate) Middle: Mexican cattlemen Daniel Martinez (left), Oscar Rodriquez and Romon Garcia meet with Ver/ Brorsen of Brorsen Bluestems, Inc., Perry, Okla. (Photo by Gerald Horn) Bottom: State Rep. Don Arms (left); Kelsey Walters, agricultural economics senior; the
t e Chihuahua Secretary of Rural Developmenr and the University of Chihuahua asking O U t0 develop an internship program to expo e Mexican cattlemen co the Oklahoma beef industry and co offer hands-on training for chem.
"Ir would cake an additional faculty member co grant che magnitude of their request; however, we wanted
co do omething," Horn said. "In place of the request, rhe Chihuahua Cacclemen of Excellence program was born."
Horn is one of33 OSU CASNR faculty member who represented OSU by teaching classes, presenting seminars or acrending conferences in hjhuahua wichin che past chree years. Wich a healthy relationship and history of collaboration, the University of Chihuahua and 0 U developed the Chihuahuan Cattlemen of xcellence Program co provide training and inspiration ro young Chihuahuan carclemen.
"This program goe way beyond OSU and che University of Chihuahua," said Terry Bidwell, 0 U natural resource ecology and management profe sor and extension specialist. "fc is a program chat fosters good reladonships between rwo countries."
Funded enrirely by hihuahua che Carrlemen of xcellence program is meant to encourage young ranchers and create new jobs through rural
economic development stimu.lated by operation expansion, Horn said.
The program goal is to improve cl1eir operations co che exren t rhey can sray on their ranche and pro per in Mexico, Henneberry said.
"We showed them some of rhe best Oklahoma carrle operations wich che hope that ome of the underlying philosophies and production practices would be useful ro chem back home," Horn said.
The program consisted of four separate training segments in Oklahoma; however, chese training segments were nor classroom lectures but hands-on, guided experiences.
0 U faculty member representing animal cience agricultural economics, and natural resource ecology and management departments joined forces ro create hands-on curriculum for che Mexican cattlemen.
The 10 Chihuahuan cattlemen ranging from ages 17 ro 45 were selected by the Chihuahua Cattlemen's Associarion through an application process. The ranchers were selected based on operation goals, willingness co learn and amount of passion shown toward the beef industry.
"The program has given these catclemen opporrunirie ro nor only hear about ranch management and technology advances but also it offers hands-on experiences," said Lorenzo Duran, agricultural lecrurer at rhe Univer icy of Chihuahua.
Each training segment was 10 days in lengch. According ro the Chihuahua young catdemen, every day of each visit wa busy and full of exciting, educational experiences. The first segment was in September 2006, and the last of four segments cook place in April 2007.
"We wanted che Mexican to experience all aspects of the beef industry, starting with production and conservation practices ro public policy and decision making," said Michael Dick OSU agricultural economics professor.
The emphasis areas of rhe visits included production, management and financing for carcle operacion ; con ervation and use of natural resources in the catde industry; organi-
Top: Mexican cattlemen and Rod Schemm, manager of Henry C. Hitch Feedyard, Guymon, Okla., view a pit of high-moisture, ground-insiled corn. (Photo by Gerald Horn) Bottom: Mexican cattleman Adalberto Vazquez Herrera (left) obtains an ultra-sound of a steer's ribeye with guidance from ultrasounding technician Don Vick of Reproduction Enterprises Inc., Stillwater, Okla. (Photo by Chancey Redgate)
zacional infra.~truccurefor aerie producers; and value-added businesses and market development within the beef indu rry.
Focusing on applicarion rarher than theory, OSU facuky exposed the carrlemen to ranche tocker operations, feed yards and packing plants. To emphasize che importance of long-term research, the ranchers visited the USDA Agriculcure Research ervice research sracions and Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Srarions. The group's tour included Reproduction Enterprises Inc.; the Oklahoma apitol; Oklahoma Department of Agriculrure, Food and Forestry; Oklahoma Farmer's Union; Oklahoma Farm Bureau; and the Kansas City Board of Trade.
"Oklahomans have been so warm and receptive," Duran said. "Our group is eager to learn, and Oklahoma rate and Oklahomans are eager to share ideas.'
Henneberry aid everything is done by translation. A competent translator from che University of Chihuahua, knowledgable in agri-
culcure, accompanjed the cattlemen on each Oklahoma visit.
Translation was a small challenge for Oklahomans; however, hida Henneberry, professor of inrernacional agricultural trade policy, aid tran larion did not seem to be a learning barrier for the Mexicans.
"The e hihuahuan cartlemen are very developed," Shida Henneberry said. "They know their business and are good at marketing and production. Turning what Mexicans view as impediment into teaching points and learning moments, we really learn from each other."
Learning from each other involves a willingness to learn about and appreciate different cultures, Bidwell aid.
"The Catdemen of Excellence program has not only impacted the beef industry bur also the cultural development of people living in rural communities," anchez aid.
Connecring Mexican carclemen and American cattlemen provides opportunities to exchange opinions, ideas and perspectives.
"The more rimes you connect people, the more barriers you break down " Dicks said.
This rramrng provides key knowledge and skills pertaining co international marker Sanche-t said.
"In my opinion the most important thing is escabli hing new potential partnerships and making new friends chat will be significant in the future," anchez said.
Shida Henneberry said the relationships formed could bring business ro Oklahomans, encourage trade and improve the beef industry.
"The expected results are already beginning to how," anchez said. "After the trainees rerurned ro their respective cattle operations, they immeruacely Started co implement new learned technologies."
Relationship were formed because of a shared passion among Chihuahua and Oklahoma cattle ranchers. The young cattlemen returned ro Mexico with more than friends; they returned with new ideas, techniques and philosophies to use and prosper on their ranches for year to come.~
Sabbaticals
allow you to get a chanceto do something you've never done before.
Steve Hallgren
Clare Hall is where VerchotLubicz will study. (Photo courtesy of the University of Cambridge)
Far and away research
By KATLINAMARAL, Denair,Calif.
From Stillwater to places far, far away, College of Agriculmral Sciences and Natural Resource faculty have expanded their experiences - and improved their classes - by participating in sabbaticals.
abbatical have long been a professional development cool for professors ar Oklahoma Stace University. CASNR support sabbaticals ro strengthen research - one of rhe college's three core values.
According co OSU, the sabbatical candidate muse have served as a faculty member for six academic years since initial appointmenc or a previou abbacical leave.
Marlene Scrathe, interim OSU syscem chief executive officer and president, provost and senior vice presidenc, said she is supportive of faculty and believes the experience of a sabbatical benefits the professor by enriching classroom learning and cominuing scholarly activity. Each year rhe university awards 20 co 25 sabbatical leave .
"Every person I have ever known who has gone on sabbarical leave will tell you they will go again," Scrathe said. "It can really be a career-changing experience."
Since 1960, 104 profe sors have
taken sabbatical within CAS R, including Leon Spicer, profe or of animal science and tephen Hallgren a ociare profe or of narural resource ecology and managemenc. Jeanmarie Yerchor-Lubicz, associate professor of emomology and plane pathology, plans co go rhi year.
Where do they go?
Spicer wenc on sabbatical m 2005 ro Stanford, Cali(, where he wa a vi iring profe sor in che departmem of obstetrics and gynecology at ranford University Medical Cencer.
"Stanford matched my re earch interest, and the San Francisco Bay area matched my personal incere t, as it is my favorite area," Spicer said.
Hallgren has been on rwo sabbatical !eaves. In 1993, he went co Bayreuth, Germany, and in 2001, he went coAvignon, France.
"A university professor with reaching and research should eek a diversity of ideas for discovering new knowledge," Hallgren said. "There's no better way to do that than to travel internationally.'
On both sabbatical leave , Hallgren was able to become an academic adviser for graduate students, which helped integrate him into the environment, he said.
Yerchoc-Lubicz will participate in a six-month sabbatical leave July 31 co Dec. 31 at rhe University of Cambridge. She has lived in England before, and she said rhis will enable her ro reconnect with colleagues and leader in the field and bring an pporruniry to enrich her research.
What is the cost?
To apply for a sabbatical, che individual decides on a research ropic and ubmit a proposal ro support the topic. Afcer funding is found, the department head must approve the sabbatical. OSU pays for six months salary whether the professor rakes leave for six month or a full year.
Ir rook Spicer five years co plan hi abbacical, and with additional funding from che U.S. Department of Agriculture, he was able co supplement the cost to afford rhe trip.
Spicer applied for a USDA arional Research lniriarive Compecirive Program grant in the animal reproduction area. More than 100 applications were sent in, and only 18 percent received funding.
"With the gram, I could use the new human-oriented technology and, upon my return, apply it ro farm-animal research," picer said. picer's primary goal was co enhance his ability to obtain competitive government research ftmding. His overall funding at OSU has been reduced ro half rhe dollar amount he had 17 years ago when he starred, leaving him with 30 percent le s funding for his research.
"Due ro the delayed revision proces and low funding races, ir can take rwo or more years before funding is secured," picer said. "My experience at tanford gave me new ideas so I couJd write new grants co submit and be more competitive."
Hallgren received a Fulbrighr Senior cholar Award ro reduce the financial burden of a half salary, and rhe French government provided a supplemental stipend for his second abbatical in Avignon.
Lubicz-Yerchot received funding from rhe University of Cambridge, which include 3 l college She will srudy in Clare Hall, a center for advanced studies.
At the end of her sabbatical, she will be eligible to become a life memb r which would enable her ro return to the campus.
"With the fellowsh.ip providing on-campu hou ing, which is 90 percenc of rhe personal cost, che issues l will have ro deal with as a working mother will be rransporcarion and daycare," Yerchoc-Lubicz said.
Who goes with them?
Sabbaticals while funded can be expensive endeavors because mosr profes or wiJJ till have a mortgage ro pay while on leave. ff rhe whole family moves rogether, it enables chem to rent the house.
In Spicer's case, his family stayed home o he lived in an apartment in Stanford. Spicer said chis was in parr because his wife, Maria, had a full-time job and rwo of his children, Michael and Meli a, were in the lase years of their high school education and did nor want co leave.
"My children were able ro spend two summer months with me," Spicer said. "They learned to be more independent. They rook instrumental lessons from che San Francisco Conservatory of Music and fencing lessons ac Scan.ford, so they grew in knowledge and experience."
Hallgren's family traveled co Germany with him, and his children, Karie Maggie and William, returned fluent in German. During his sabbatical in France, rwo of his children went wirh him, and they al o became fluent in French.
He said the international experience enriched their lives and brought chem closer as a family as well as strengthened, added co and changed his career.
"From a personal point of view, .it was important for me co include my family," Hallgren said. "Ic gave my children a better understanding of cultures and their own ociety."
What do they research?
Spicer studjed ovarian research in A.J. Hseuh's laboratory, one of che world's cop research laboratories cudying ovarian function. Each year, cl1eNational Institutes of Health and ocher funding sources award the Jaboratory about $750,000.
"Wich the resources available at Stanford, including people and equipment, any experiment could be conducted," picer said. "l was fortunate to be able co u e scare-of-the-arr technology duri11gmy sabbatical."
While in Germany, Hallgren studied the effect acid rain ha on tree roots' ability to absorb water. In
France, he researched how different types of trees rransporr water and the effects on their producciviry.
"The sabbatical allowed me to gain knowledge about tree function and bring chat knowledge back to enrich my cudencs," Hallgren said.
Verchoc-Lubicz will conduct research on hose defenses ro viral pathogens in plants.
"The sabbatical will aJlow me to create new projects in areas which I have an interest but lack experti e," Verchor-Lubicz said.
While gone, Verchot-Lubicz will keep in touch with students and re earchers working in her laboratory with the use of Web-based meeting applications and a Quick Cam.
'I will be able to talk to my laboratory daily, and my students can show me cheir daca and ask question ," Verchot-Lubicz aid.
How it benefits the university
Spicer works with more man 100 scudenrs each academic year. The abbatical allowed him uninterrupted rime to focus on his research.
Upon his return, he enriched che lives of the students he advises, reaches and supervise in his animal science laboratory.
"My enthusiasm has spilled over to my graduate tudents," picer said. "With my new ideas, we have been more productive chis year."
Hallgren would recommend a sabbatical to any professor.
" abbacicals allow you to ger a chance to do something you've never done before," Hallgren said. "You make new contacts and expand your skills. To achieve fuJl profes or, the university requires international recognition, and an international abbatical is a logical approach."
Verchoc-Lubicz said sabbaticals help creare different ways co solve problems and help individuals look beyond their cultural biases.
"The lab I am going to has experience in defense pathways, and by going there, I can speed my progress in chis field and po icion myself co gee grants and include new collaborators in my program," Verchor-Lubicz aid.~
Top: Leon Spicer (right) assists Derek Thralls. (Photo by Todd Johnson) Middle: Steve Hallgren enjoys his time in France. (Photo courtesy of Steve Hallgren) Bottom: Jeanmarie Verchot-Lubicz manages a laboratory in the Noble Research Center. (Photo by Katlin Amaral)
Shooting through the ages
By REBECCA LASICH, Fort Collins, Colo.
Alchough ic is now a form of recreation, shooting sports once provided a way co survive che American fronrier. Today, shooting spores also provides hunting and compecicive opportunities for children and adults. Through 4-H, youth ages 9 to I 9 have che opportunity ro experience shooting sports.
Youth shooting
Oklahoma 4-H offers a variety of shooting sports project and acciviries for young people.
"The purpose of che 4-H shooting sports project, as with other 4-H projects, i youth development," said Charles Cox, Oklahoma scare 4-H program leader.
4-H involvement begins with enrollment at county extension offices, said Kevin Allen, assistant professor in the Oklahoma care University Department ofNarural Resource Ecology am;\ Management and state 4-H shooting sports coordinaror.
Youth participating in the program have different opportunities for involvement. First are state-level contests. Second, youth can use shooting spores ·as a 4-H project and complete a record book judged ac the state level. Third is the opportunity for youth co be selected for the Oklahoma team, which travels across the nation to the annual National 4-H Shooting Sports contest.
Safety is an important factor for 4-H shooting sports, Cox said.
"It's a sport that has the lowest incidents as far as accidents," Cox said. "We really emphasize co young people chat a shotgun, a pistol a rifle, and a bow and arrow are not weapons; they are sporting arms."
Firearm accidents among chi]-
dren ages 14 and under declined by 69 percent from 1995 to 2003, according co the arional Shooting Sporrs Foundation.
Before becoming involved in hooting spores, 4-H'ers must complete an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife hunter educadon class and complete eight hours of instruction with a certified state leader to shoot in Oklahoma 4-H, Allen aid.
Through leaders and project work, 4-H tea hes youth life kills and involves cl1ildren in beneficial yourh and adulr relationship
Shooting sports teaches decision-making, ream building, safety and elf-control, Allen aid. Youth who are inceresred can choose a shooting sports discipline and gain these life skills.
4-H'ers can choose among seven different hooting spores di ciplines and project , including shotgun, air rifle, air pistol, archery, muzzleloading, hunring and wildlife, and living history, Cox said.
Living history is one of the rate's new project as i hunting and wildlife. The hunting and wildlife project examines environmental resources, resource managemenr and other environmemal practices.
Living hi rory relates back co the early United States and examines the impact of natural resources, shooting sports and the development of the country. Youth in this project select a person, current or historical, and determine the per on's impact on environmental education, Cox said.
AJlen aid these projects could help boost interest in the shooting sports program.
"It would really
pand participation in more than just shooting," AJlen said.
The Oklahoma 4-H shooting spores program is funded through grant and pecial project One of che largest contributors is the National Rifle Association through the Friends of the RA Foundation.
"Since the lace J990s, within Oklahoma, the RA Foundation has provided about $135,000 for local county programs to help support the shooting sport ," ox said.
The Friends of the NRA help counties in Oklahoma fund ammunition, firearms, targets and equipment, and it sometimes aids in developing shooting ranges, ox said.
In 2006, Oklahoma ceceived 59 NRA Foundacion project grants.
"There is a parrnership with public and private groups that helps upporr this project," Cox said.
Granr from rhe National Wild Turkey Federation al o help Oklahoma 4-H shoocing sports programs. The Oklahoma City Gun lub and the Grand National Quail Hunt provide s ho!arship programs for the shooting ports program, Cox aid.
Tracinghistory
4-H offers a way for youth to be connected ro the past through projects and family involvemenr; however, some students go the extra miJe. In fact, rwo 4-H'ers traveled miles up the Missouri River and traced the footsteps of the past.
In August 2005, Trent and Eric Pribil, Oklahoma County 4-H hooring sports participants, retraced the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The
cwins found an online essay concesr sponsored by the National Guard, and upon winning rhe contesr they received a rrip co che Yauch Rendezvous in North Dakota.
The PribiJs traveled to the Corps of Discovery for the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They spent five nights touring sites Lewis and Clark had visited. Eric Pribil was at Fort Mandan exactly 200 years afcer Lewis and Clark.
"We wenr representing Okla-
homa," Trent said. "AUbur six states were ther ."
Trent starred in 4-H shooting sports in fifth grade, while Eric, who was more involved in Boy couts, started shooting several year later. Trent and Eric participate in shotgun and several other 4-H disciplines.
Eric said they have always been interested in the outdoors, and Trent said they chose the fur crading period becaw;e they knew people involved
elementary schools and 4-H dub They give four to five presentations per year.
For the presentations, • ric porrrays lark and Trent portray Lewis. The Pribils have researched the expedition and the 31 people who traveled with Lewis and Clark.
"We're cominuaJly learning about the orps [of Discovery]," Trent said.
Both said introducing more youth co shooting and outdoor sports has been a great accomplishment.
"Ir has opened up different opporcunitie for us," ric said.
Re-enacting has connected the Pribils with people who are interested in re-enacting in similar eras.
ome of the artire the Pribils wear for their presentations was donated by a re-enactment group from Kansas. To authenticate their presentations Eri and Trent have collected items from the fur trading period, including feathers, hides, a coyote pelt and a beaver pelr. The Pribils made their own legging and mocca in Trent and ric artend Edmond orch High chool. Eric said he will continue to re-enact, and both boys are looking for different opportunities for their final year in 4-H. Trenr said they are looking ar colleges that offer hooting sports programs to enable them to compete in shooting sports at cl1ecollegiate level.
OSU shotgun sports
For 4-H youth who want to continue shooting after high school, some colleges offer collegiate shooting sports clubs for students to join.
However, the O U Shotgun
in the re-enacrment for this period.
What began as an eighth-grade history fair project turned into a hobby for che Pribils. They used the re-enactment for 4-H peech contests, and following the advice of one of the judges, the two starred giving re-enactment presentation for
Sports Club is not limited ro rudenrs who know how to shoot.
Marr Dent, club president and animal cience enior said members come co the club for severaJ reasons.
" ome come just to learn how to sho t," Dene said.
He said che chance co compete draws some members; others want co improve their hunting skills.
FALL 2007
Trent (left) and Eric Pribil dress in period costume for their re-enactments. (Photos by Rebecca Lasich)
Trevor South, OSU Shotgun Sports Club member and animal science student, practices shooting skeet for collegiate competitions. (Photo by Rebecca Lasich)
Dent and four other students founded rhe O U Shotgun porr Club in 2005. These srudems saw rheir friends ar other chools participating in hotgun sporrs club and decided to start a club ac O U.
Kevin offman, Garfield County 4-H hooting sports alumnu and wildlife and fisheries ecology student, said he became interested in rhe U hocgun Sports Club because of h_is 4-H shooting sports experience.
"l didn't know [0 U] had [ hoocing sport ), and J enjoy shooting," Coffman said.
With the 5,000 4-H shooting sports participants, 0 U hotgun
Sporrs members said they hope to provide an opportunity for 4-H'ers to continue shooting hotgun if cheir paths bring them to O U.
"I'd like to have it be an extension of 4-H for 4-H'ers to continue their shooting career ," Dem said.
The U Shotgun Sport Club s rves competitive and non-competitive interest The club participates in sporting clays, trap, skeet and fivestand shotgun disciplines. The club competes at competitions in other states, including Colorado, Wyoming and Kansas. Members participated in the national competition in an Antonio in April.
Null Seed Farm
"These gain recognition for nor only the person bur also rhe school that they represent," Dent said.
0 U hotgun Spores does not require members to obtain bunter education cards; however, it is encouraged, aid Dent.
"We will always need safery," said David Henneberry, director of international agricultural programs in the College of Agriculrural Sciences and aruraJ Re ources at OSU, who serves as the club's adviser. "Ir is a never-ending issue."
Henneberry said the club firs weJI with CAS R.
"le is one more way for students co develop," Henneberry said.
Having opportunities for student involvement in both youth development programs and collegiate programs is important, Henneberry said. However, shooting sports involvement does noc have co scop after graduation; student can stay involved after high school and college.
"The network of people you meet is enormous," Dent said.
So, whether you are a sharpshooter or jusr gaining interest in shooting sports, find a discipline you like and conrinue the rradicions of this country.~
DASNR goes fishing
By CALEBZOOK,Waynoka,Okla.
Imagine a calm summer evening on one of Oklahoma's premiere lakes. With a fishing pole in your hand, you relax beside the water. uddcnly, you feel a jerk, and your line is reeling off the spool. Jc is the giant blue catfish you have been waiting ro catch your entire life.
You may nor realize it bur the Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources ar Oklahoma State University is fishing for research ro make your carch possible.
In fall 2006, DASNR added rhe wildlife and fisheries program from the O U College of Arts and Sciences co the departmem of na(Ural resource ecology and management.
With the move came new opportunities for DA NR scudencs to broaden learning as well a new research for the division.
WiUiam Fisher, adjunct fisheries professor, said the move will benefit srudents as they will have the chance to learn from professors in all areas of narural resources.
"I chink rhe students will really benefir," Fisher aid. "As faculty, we have worked cooperatively across deparrmenr in the past by incorporating all rhe areas of natural resources into the curriculum. Students ultimately will be the real winners."
Fisher said the move will help fulfill the goal of the department ro be leaders in research and education.
"The vision rhat a lot of us have is that we wane chis department robe one of che strongest in rhe region," Fisher said. "We would like ro be ore of a beacon, and I rhink rhc pocencial is rhere."
As scudencs broaden their learning horizon, che move also brings new research ro DASNR
"I'm excited co be a parr of
DAS R," said Dan Shoup, OSU assistant fisheries professor. "Jr's a great college. My lab' mission and the college's mission are very handin-glove."
Shoup works closely with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on research rhat wiU benefit Oklahoma fisheries. Fishing is an important parr of Oklahoma's economy. According co the ODWC, fishing generates $992 million per year in economic oucput.
Among other projects, Shoup and his graduate students work with ODWC co research the blue catfish.
Many Oklahoma anglers pursue rhis game fish, bur ocher than angling techniques, very !itcle is known about blue catfish populations in the state.
"There is a good angling base for chat species," houp said. "If we don'r manage it appropriately, the quality of the fisheries wiU decline, and that's not good for rhe angler."
Shoup supervises graduate studenr Kris Bodine, who is researching blue catfish.
"The problem wildlife ofHcials have with managing the blue catfish is they do nor know enough about the number and size of blue catfish in Oklahoma lakes," Bodine aid.
He said researchers have found ir difficult to get accurate ample of the fi h population with current sampling techniques.
Fisheries managers need co know the dynamics of fish popularions ro develop regulations rhar benefit the anglers and the fish population.
In chis smdy; fish are categorized by their size and weight as either "big fi h" or "small fish." To be characterized as a "big fish," rhe carfish must be 30 inches long.
"When manager have their population estimates and they do not know how many big fl h are our there, they are probably under representing rhe big fish population," Bodine said. "If rhis is true their management regulation are probably not correct."
Bodine said cutrenr fishing regulation do nor favor big fi h.
"I rhink we are probably overharvesting big fish," Bodine said. "The regulations we currencly have are liberal. We have a big umbrella regulation that allows you to rake 15 blue catfish with no size limit. This means anglers can go out there and catch 15 blue catfish over 30 inches long with relative ease."
Fisheries researcher ample
Matt Dent spends time fishing at Boomer lake in Stillwater, Okla.
(Photo by Caleb Zook)
A catfish spends time among some rocks.
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
RESEARCH
Rsh populations u ing a technique called elecrrofishing. Researchers use 1,000-volc elecuic puJ e ro bring ttsh to the surface where fish are netted, measured, weighed and released. Eleccrofishing does nor harm the fi h and is more efficienc than other sampling methods, Bodine said.
Shoup said current sampling techniques allow researchers to sample most fish species in an area approximately 10 feet by l O feet. However, rhe blue cam h react differently as researchers can sample an area approximately 150 yards around the electrofishing boar.
'They don't act like normal game fish," Bodine said. "Normal game fish get cecanized. They have muscle rwitche that basically draw them to che electricity. Blue catfish don't do char."
Bodine said they do nor know what brings the cam h to the surface bur believe the electricity may bother catfish much like a fingernail
running down a chalkboard bothers some humans.
Electricity seem to have lircle effect on larger fl h, houp said, making it difficult ro sample the blue carflsh popularion accuracely.
Shoup and Bodine said they are concerned their study is biased toward mall fl h becau e of their inability to sample large fish.
"We know what is om there in rerms of fish under 30 inches because we can sample chem wich ease," Bodine said.
"We can't sample the big ones. If we have no idea what's our there, then we have no way of judging whether you are hurting the fishery or helping rhe fishery."
Bodine's re earch will hinge on finding a way co remove the bias from current sampling techniques.
"If we can come up with a way ro quantify the bias of electrofishing, then it could mean several things," Bodine said. "No. l, we can go out and ger corre r population estimates. Two, this information will allow managers ro decide what regulations they need ro sec."
Bodjne said he will quantify the size bias of elecrroflshing by using a imple control. He i working to isolate coves of different lakes using ners and then stocking a certain number of different-sized fish.
He will then use current sampling techniques co determine what percent of each size fish is sampled each time he samples the area.
"If we can understand exactly what percentage of each size we are catching, we can apply that to our regular electro.fishing data set," Bodine said.
By comparing catch percentages to current data, Bodine wiU be able ro compensate for bias, should there be one.
As lirrle research has been done previously on blue catfish, Bodine said he hopes the work he is doing will serve as a springboard for all future catfish research.
"Hopefully, Oklahoma will lead che way in blue carflsh research,' Bodine said. "Ideally, we should be pioneers in blue catfish research in a couple years."
CASNRsets the bar high
By HOLLI LEGGETTE,Ulysses,Kan.
Ten seniors from che College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources set rhe bar high for their peers by earning Top Ten Senior honors at the CAS R banquec.
Blake Bixler, an agribusiness major from Waynoka, Okla., received the CAS R Outstanding Senior Award, the Top Ten Senior Award and the Dean Fred LeCrone Leadership Award for his leadership and accomplishments. He is the son of Scan and Rodeana Bixler.
'The degree of success I have achieved in my four year ac Oklahoma State University can be measured by the degree I helped other students to enjoy greacer viccories and equipped myself to be a valuable member of che work force as well as society," Bixler said.
Four other CASNR scudents received the Top Ten enior Award and Dean Fred LeCrone Leadership Award: Natalie Berning, Ruth Bobbitt, Jeff Clark and Shana Robson.
Berning, a biochemi try major from Duncan, Okla., is rhe daughcer of Scon and Leah Berning.
"I represent the diverse opportunities available in CAS R, and a a highly-motivated, non-traditional, CAS R tudenr, I have applied myself co scholarship, leadership and ervice co give back to my university and community,'' Berning said.
Bobbitt an agricultural commurucarions major from Lamonr, Okla., i the daughter of Mike and Cindy Bobbin.
"Collegiate life fosters both academic and self discovery; like the fir t momentous accompli hmenrs of my life, auending OSU and CASNR has allowed me to explore worlds I never before imagined," Bobbin said.
lark, an agriculcural economics and accounting double major from Boise City, Okla., is rhe son of Marlene and the late Jay lark.
"My time at OSU as a CAS R student has been the best investment
I ever made, yielding incredible recums thac will continue co be reali1..ed and accumulated over the enrirety of my lifetime," Clark said.
Robson, an agribusiness/prevererinary medicine major from Norman, Okla., i the daughter of Ken and Leigh Robson.
"Involvement is my best opportunity to give back ro O U's ASNR whac is given to me," Robson said, Five other senior al o received Top Ten Senior awards: ikki Hupman, Wravenna Phipps Tyler Smirh, Brandon rojan and Ryan Trojan.
Hupman, an agricultural communications major from Sapulpa, kla., i the daughter of eorge and Loy Hupman.
" A NR is nor just a college; it is a family of devoted staff and faculty w rking together ro produce the best rudents," Hupman aid.
Phipps, an agriculmral communication major from Kearney eb. is the daugluer of William D. and Robin Phipps.
"Three goals l sec five year ago were co attend OSU, graduate with honors and be selected as a CASNR Top Ten enior,'' Phipps said.
Smith, an agribusiness major from Elk City, Okla., is the son of Michael and Kathy Smith.
"CASNR has helped prepare me for che next chapter in my life by providing a cop-quality education and the necessary leadership skills for uccess in che fumre," mith aid.
Brandon and Ryan Trojan are biochemistry and molecular biology majors from Enid, Okla., and are the son of Jim and Anica Trojan.
"The education I have re eived ac OSU is a debt I can never repay," Brandon Trojan aid.
His brother shares similar feelings abouc hi background.
"Growing up wich an agricultural background I have learned the beneftrs of hard work and determination," Ryan Trojan said.
CA NR named Austin Horn, an agricultural economics sophomore from Yukon, Okla., as the Browning Outstanding Fre hman. He i the son of tan and Li a Horn.
"Goals should always be sec ac a high candard to en ure omething great is always achieved," Horn said.
Among ocher award re ipienrs were Karen Hickman, Ag Ambasador Out randing Advi er; Bailey orwood, Alpha Zera Oucstanding Teacher; and Kri Novotny, Ag Ambassador Outstanding Support Staff.
Th e award recipients have raised the bar for their successors. W
Blake Bixler received the 2007 CASNROutstanding Senior Award. He is pictured with Robert E. Whitson, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources vice president, dean and director, his mother, Rodeana Bixler and his grandmother, Neva Polson. (Photo by Todd Johnson)
By TAMMY WILLIAMS, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Oklahoma watermelon producers leave a lot of green in the field.
About 30 percent of watermelons are left in the field each year, bur re earcher at Oklahoma race Universicy's Food and AgricuJrural Produce enter are working ro find a use for chose melons.
The cerner is conducting research co develop va.lue-added watermelon produces.
"Today, there are no value-added products for watermelons," said Danielle Bellmer principle invesrigacor for this project. "You don't see watermelon juice or dried watermelon fruit on the shelves.''
With no ouder for value-added produces, many second-dass melons are left in the field.
"If che melonsare the
wrong shape, wrong size, sunburned or have any defect at all, they are left in the field because the scores won't buy them" said Bob Ramming, a Hinton, kla., watermelon producer and 1964 animal cience alumnus.
Another reason melons are left in the field i the need for seedle melons, which have grown in popularicy in re enc year , aid Mark Arney, executive direccor of the Watermelon Promotion Board.
"Fifteen years ago, 75 percent of rhe watermelons grown were seeded," Amey aid. "Now that i rever ed; 75 co 80 percent of the melons grown are eedles .''
To grow seedless watermelons, producers need seeded pollinators. The pollinators are cypically planted in either a three-co-one or four-coone ratio and regularly go co waste in the field, Bellmer aid.
The goal of FAPC researchers is co create a biorefmery where these whole melons can be proce ed. The first product they focused on was pectin.
Pectin is used as a chickening agent, usually found in jams and j el I ie
Pectin ca.n be extracted from the watermelon rinds which account for a large amount of the waste.
"The rind make up about 30 percent of the weight of the whole melon, and pectin makes up about 15 percent of che dry weight," Bellmer said.
Pectin is usually extracted by acids. FAPC researchers used a new process co extract pectin using enzymes which makes tbe process more environmenrally friendly. They found enzymes work jusc as well, or in ome cases berrer, than acid
The pectin extraction process is relatively simple, Bellmer said.
After the whole melons are harvested from the field, the rind is removed from the flesh. This usually is done with a knife. The rind is ground in a device such as a food processor. lt is washed with water co remove some of the sugars, and then it is soaked. Ir can be soaked in eicher acids, as is traditionally done, or in enzymes. The pectin is precipitated with alcohol. separated and dried. This dried pectin can be used for any commercial purpose.
Pectin is mo t commonly found in liigh-sugar jams and jellies. le also is used in yogurt and pastry glazes and is used as a stabilizer in drinkable yogurrs and in blends of milk and fruit juices.
Pectin is used in some throat lozenges to alleviate symptoms of sore rhroar, according ro che International Pectin Producers Association.
AJthough watermelons are widely grown in Oklahoma, the rare does nor have a commercial pectin plane, Bellmer said.
More than 22,000 acres of watermelons are planted each year in
Oklahoma. Production is concentrated in rhe cencral and sourh-cencral areas of Oklahoma, bur watermelons can be grown in most areas of rhe scare, according to tbe Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
In 2002, Oklahoma ranked l 2rh in the Unjced Scates in watermelon production. Oklahoma producers harvested more than 71.5 million pounds of watermelon, which accounted for about $5 million in sales, according ro the ational Agricultural cacisticsService. Watermelon has become the learung U .. melon crop in recent years.
A driving force behind the increase in watermelons is the Watermelon Promotion Board.
The Watermelon Promotion Board funds several research projects each year. The research covers several topics ranging from consumer research to research on amino acids and lycopene. The Watermelon Promotion Board funded OSU's pectin extraction projecc.
The FAPC biorefinery being researched i a proce focusing on pectin extraction. The goal is to make a biorefinery plant with a wide array of value-added products.
Produces would come from the flesh, seeds and rind of rhe watermelon. Watermelon juice and lycopene are possible produces of rhe flesh, and watermelon seed flour is a possible product from rhe seeds. Along wirh pectin, es ential amino acids could be extracted from the rind.
Other than the biore6nery, research is being done for rufferenr
value-added watermelon product . Watermelon and cherry concentrates are being researched to create a juice drink, Amey sajd_
" herry juice alone is prerry acidic, and rhe body doesn't handle ir well," Arney said. "But the mix that we got wirh watermelon and cherry created a prerry good product."
The development of new produces and economic feasibiliry go hand-in-hand.
"We wanr to make processing of whole melons economical by creating an array of value-added produces," Bellmer srud.
The development of value-added produces will help Oklahoma watermelon producers.
'Value-added produces would be a great deal for marketing the unusable melon ," Ramming sajd. "Right now, they just go to waste and get plowed under."
Value-added produces can create demand for unusable melons.
"When rhere are more uses for watermelons, demand goes up, and if everyrrung stays the same, price will go up, too," Arney said.
Wirh rhe development of more value-added watermelon produces and a possible biorefinery plant for proce sing whole melons, fewer wasted watermelons in the fields will mean more money in the pockets of Oklahoma watermelon producers.~
(Photosby Tammy Williams)
Little Sister Antwannette (left) joins her Big Sister Heather Williams for a winter trip to Chicago. (Photo courtesy of Heather Williams)
Big Sister makes big impact
By NIKKI HUPMAN, Sapulpa,Okla.
"To excel is to reach your own highest dream. But you must also help others, where and when you can, to reach theirs. Personal gain is empty if you do not feel you have positively touched another's Life."
Williams, an agricultural economics and accounting graduate and vice president at the Bank of Oklahoma in Tulsa, recently won the Heroes In Our Midst award for her involvement with c:heBig Brothers Big isters organization. he represented Oklahoma as rhe national winner in December 2006.
"Heather has always been very civic-minded and giving to individuals and the community," said Joe Williams, Heather's father, OSU agricultural economics professor and director of che Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program.
Heroes In Our Mid tis a national program sponsored by the Greeting Card Association, which focuses on the tradition of connecting with others. The GCA has partnered with rhe BBB organization to give credit to unsung heroes in people's lives.
The Heroes In Our Midst program encourage people to end greeting cards to the winners and influential people in d,eir own lives to thank rhem for their service. The GCA donates $1,000 in c:hewinner's name to the local BBB chapter with which the hero is affiJiated.
"Ir was amazing m be known as one of ilie mp Big i ter in the nation," Heather said. ''1 would never consider myself a hero, but it was such a compliment chat I couJd represent all the other Big Brothers and iscers in rhe country."
BBB of OkJahoma named Williams the Big Sister of the Year for 2006, which made her eligible for the national Heroes In Our Midst award. From relevision channels ro
new paper and magazines, much of OkJahorna recognized Williams for her honor.
"I wa at dinner one night with bank customers, and chis person waJked up and asked me if [ wa the Big Brothers Big Sisters girl," Heather said. "I said 'yes', and he mid me he enc me a card and ju t wanted to say 'thank you."'
Frequently, people forget to say "thank you" to those who have affected and muched their lives. This award i de igned to remind communities of che good work and service being done around chem. Heather received 2,800 card from all over the state.
The friendship began
Hearher mer Anrwannerte at Emerson Elementary while working with a school-based mentoring program at rhe Bank of OkJahoma's sister school. he was drawn ro rhe lirrle girl because of her love for animals, especiaJly horses. Heather quickly
discovered her de ire co take their relationship fimher.
'I wenr co her chool one day a week and had lunch wich her, and we worked on cience fair projeccs, read books or just hung out," Heather aid. "After abour a year, we borh decided we wanred co do more, so we cook our relationship to rhe communiry-based program."
The girls were assigned a match upporr specialist, and Ancwannerre's entire family was raken to Heather' home to see where she lived.
Growing up in a crime-ridden section ofTulsa, Anrwannerce experienced violence and many challenges in her young life. The girl began cheir relationship when Anrwannette wasjusr9yearsold. Now a 17-yearold junior in high school, she is able to realize her pocenrial and knows che world is at her fingertips.
"I wane Heather to be there when I graduate high school and college," Ancwannetre said. "I plan on becoming a registered nurse."
Hear.her described Ancwannette as a very hy and timid little girl when tl1ey first met. he was hesitanc to calk co Hear.her, and both girl were guarded because neicher knew what co expect.
"We've been chrough breakups and tragedies together, and she's gone from a guarded lirrle girl co omeone who tru t and confide in me," Hearner said.
Heather calls her and Ancwannette's relationship a poster story becau e of the bond rney have established. They have born worked hard to gee where they are, and Heather gives her time because she wanes the best for her little si cer.
"In my profession, there is very high sere s " Heather said. " ometimes all my activities and work are overwhelming, and ju r eeing Antwannene cakes all the worries away.
"It' great co have someone who looks up to you, and our bond is unbreakable," he said.
Heather has assisred Ancwannerre with everything from personal problems and school to passing her driving resc. Their relationship goes beyond a mentoring program, and
me two have benefited beyond measure from one another. Hearher made the efforr to begin a relation hip with Anrwannerre' family ro truly understand her daily life and be a more effective role model.
"I cry co show her the value of compassion rrue friend hip, digniry and respect," Heather said. "I think it is a mu t for a young lady co hold true co her values, and I hope to also instill in her me value and reward of a good education and work ethic."
Without Heather, Anrwannetre mighr nor have discovered her desire to become a regisrered nurse, or have traveled for me fir C time, bur he is nor rhe only one who has benefited from chi i rerly bond.
" heir relarionship has gone boch directions," Joe Williams said. "Hearl1er has helped Anrwannerre ray focu ed and has broadened her perspecrive on things, and Heather has benefited becau e of it."
Hearher said afrer graduaring from OSU in ] 999, he moved co Tulsa. She said she felr a lirrle bit lonely becau e he had bank and horse show friends, bur wicb her family in Stillwater, she did not have ma11yclose friends.
'WhenAncwannette and I started hanging our, she really became my confidant and my girlfriend," Hearner said. " he loved seeing me and it evolved co a sisterly bond.''
The sisters have experienced
many thing together. They have traveled m OSU to visit me campus and go ro football and baskerball gan1es. They also share a passion for horses, and Anrwannetce has been involved with numerous hor e how in which Heather participates.
"Whenever we go place together, I inrroduce her as my lirrle si rer," Heather aid. "People sometimes look ar us funny and acknowledge che racial difference, bur my friends and family accepr and love her."
Anrwannerre said he feels like he is part of Hearner's family and Heather is a parr of hers.
Hearher promi ed Anrwannetre early on in their relationship if she would stay in school, stay off drugs and sray focused, Hearner would take her on a trip omewhere fun. In December 2006, rhose promises became a reality.
The girl craveled rogether m Chicago. Heather had fond memories of visiting the city when she wa a young girl and wanted Ancwannetre to experience ir as well.
"I wanted her to see me lighrs, the hrisrmas trees, the snow and the big buildings," Heather said. "] mink che rrip inspired her, and her smile was priceless."
Heather aid he has gocren as much from Anrwannerte as she has given during their BBB relationship. The two know their friendship will lasr, and alrnough Anrwannetre
Benefitsof BigBrothersBigSisters
BigBrothersBigSistersisthe oldest,largestandmosteffectiveyouthmentoringorganizationin the UnitedStates.It helpschildrenreach theirpotentialthroughone-to-onerelationships,whichareprofessionallY.supportedwithprovenresults.Theorganizationserves240,000 children,ages6 through18,in all sostates.
Togetinvolvedin yourlocalBBBS,youcanvisithttp://www.bbbs.org, http://www.bbbsokc.org or http://www.bigbrothers-tulsa.org.
Byparticipating in BBBSyouthmentoringprograms,LittleBrothers andSistersare
- Moreconfidentin theirschoolworkperformance;
- Ableto get alongbetterwiththeirfamilies;
- 46% lesslikelyto beginusingillegaldrugs;
- 27CM>lesslikelyto beginusinf.alcohol;and
- 521M1lesslikelyto skipschoo .
Source:BigBrothersBigSisters
It's great to have someone who tooksup to you, and our bondis unbreakable.
Heat er Williams
is turning 18 soon, (hey both know they have a lifetime ro share wirh each ocher.
"I love her wi (h all my hearr, and I would protect her wirn my life," Headier said. "She's like my real little sister, and it's noc something you can tum off when you're 18 years old."
Anrwannerre, roo, knows rneir sisterly bond will be with rnem forever. She said they have a friendship she never wants to end.
"Hearner is irreplaceable" Antwannette said. "She has made an impact on my life, and he really i like my big sister."
The organization
Big Brothers Big isrers is an organi1..ation thac allows two people from rwo different worlds to develop meaningful, lasting relationships.
"I don't encourage people to get involved with BBB for a community-service project," Heather said. "They need to do it only if chey're going ro commit because these kids look up to all of these people, and it's
not fair to not give them l 00 percent of yourself."
BBB Oklahoma works ro create successful, long-term connections between "bigs" and "littles."
"Hearner and Antwannerte's relation hip i special, and they were a great match," said Stefanie Pitt, BBB Tulsa march report specialist.
Heather aid the award and recognition are small in comparison to the rewarding experiences people are given.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a wonderful opportunity for cargeced youth ro have a menror and positive influence in their lives," Joe Williams said. ''BBBS is an absolutely tremendous organization rhar has impacted che lives of many, boch youth and adult ."
Pitt said background checks are done on potential volunteers and if interested in the community program driving records are looked at as weU. An extensive interview is done to ensure the person is right for the organization, and the "big" is then
"you pick it" at
given three to five "lircles" to choose from based on what BBB thinks would be the best march.
"We wane to gee a good view of the individual," Pirc said. "Consistency and rime are what help these kids the most."
Time is something Heather has given much of rhe past seven years. Her commitment has taken one lirrle girl from an uncerrain future to one full of hope and opportunity.
The GCA and BBBS give acrenrion where it is deserved most. They remind chose who go beyond what is asked of chem rhac they are remembered and grearly appreciated.
The importance of organizarions like chese is marched only by the relation hips chat blossom because of chem. Heather andAntwannette are jusr rwo of many who will be eternally graceful co BBB$.
So often in life people failco nocice rhe dedication and accomplis11mencs of individuals who strive to impacr me lives of ochers. These are the everyday heroes in our mid t.
October30
Tuesdays/Thursdays: 4 p.m.-
By JACKIEHAINES, Fox,Okla.
1n February, Oklahoma Smee University brought together Oklahoma's dairy pwducers to Focuson Ef ficiency during the Oklahoma Dairy Days Management Conference.
"I wanced to bridge the gap so producers, consumers and ex:cension agents could work together" said oah Litherland, the new dairy produccion and Lvescock nucrition specialise ac O U.
itherland hosred che event, the firsc program of this caliber for more chan 80 attendees and numerous booth exhibits during its two days: Feb. 12 at the Grady County Fairgrounds, Chickasha, Okla., and Feb. 14 at the ortheascTechnology Center, Pryor, Okla.
Putting it all together
"Dairy Days is geared toward the producers to help them become more efficient and promote continued education in the dairy industry," Litherland said.
Litherland said he wanted co offer an inren ive meeting o producers could apply new technique co improve profitabiUty and sustainability of their dairy encerprises.
"Making informed decisions based on ound data will benefit our Oklahoma dairy producers,'' Litherland said.
"Wich one of the bigge t dairy processing planrs in Dalharc, Texas, as our neighbor, Oklahoma and Texas panhandles are becoming a focal
point to a growing number of dairies " Litherland said. "The klahoma and Texas area is a favorable locacion for dairy producer for four rea ons: availability of land, affordability of land, availability of feed tuffi and a favorable climate."
Pacey Lirclefield, Dairy MAX indu cry relations director, and Mary Craig, the Oklahoma Dairy MAX representative, attended Dairy Days with the Dairy MAX scaff to provide an informational booth for the producers. Littlefield visits Texas, Oklahoma and ew Mexico co explain che dairy check-off program to producer families.
'There are jusr good people in this area who appreciate agriculmre,' Licclefield said. "There are so many opporrunitie in the dairy indusrry for anyone who has an incerest."
Craig and irclefield visited with producer about how their check-off dollars are being spent in school cafeterias, in classrooms and with local physicians in retail partnership
Dairy MAX, Midwest Dairy Association and Souchwe t Dairy Farmers sponsored Dairy Days.
Dai1y MAX was one of the crade how exhibit for dairy producer . Each exhibit provided door prize ,
and each attendee received a milk bottle calendar and a Dairy Report: Focu on Efficiency booklet, complements of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension ervice.
The booklet contained additional information the speakers used during their presentations.
Topicsof discussion
During the conference attendees learned about nutrition, economic and genetic efficiency as well as di ease prevention and animal identification, all faccors affecting dairy efficiency.
"Enhancing dairy efficiency is one way ro maintain profitability without acrificing milk production," Litherland said. "A clean environment is important, not only to boost animal health bLtt al o ro increase feed efficiency.
"Forage quality diet composition and feed management affect cow nutrition health and profirabilicy,' Litherland said. "When a cow i fed proper nucrients, her milk production and profitability increases. ucrient compo ition and how the feed i prepared and delivered are important ro production.''
The syscem is comprised of three major steps: premi e regiscracion, animal identification and animal cracking, according co che O ES.
"Di ease uch as Bovine pongiform Encephalopathy and Johne' are nor che driving faccor ro these systems bur rather whar made rhem come to a head," Pruicr said. "There are many other reasons chat a traceable system is needed not only for the producer's benefir bur also for the consumer' beneflr."
Pruirr included scenarios about the chrear of diseases and how chey can be prevented.
Litdefield said the speakers sounded as though rhey were in a one-on-one conversarion wich the audience, allowing all listeners ro put their ideas inco perspective.
"I like how the po sibilicies were put inco a real-life perspective for rhe producers," Lirclefield said. "Mo r of the farmers and producer have probably heard of some of the possible diseases' outcomes bur have
never viewed the possibilities from che per pective chat was presented."
Planningfor next year
With the uccess of che 2007 Dairy Days, plans for next year's conference are underway.
''At this rime, we are going co focus on feed-quality apprai al, cow
comfort and managemenr of fresh cow health," Litherland said. " exr year there will nor only be a Dairy Days in Chickasha and Pryor bur also in Scillwacer and ahlequah."
For more information about dairy farming and production, call Litherland at 405-744-6058.
Litherland, OSU dairy and nutrition specialist started Dairy Days with facts about dairy farming. (Photo
Noah
by Jackie Haines)
Lirherland said dairy farmers need ro keep a clean environment and reduce nurrienc waste.
Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist and agricultural economics professor at OSU, said dairy producers need ro focus on cosc management specifically feed cost management for the next year.
"fr will be a challenge, as borh forage and grain prices are high," Peel aid. "If drought onditions ease this summer, the forage situation could improve, bur grain prices are expe ted to be high for the next couple of years."
Rainfall has a direcr correlaclon ro the co t of feeding not only dairy cattle but also other livestock.
"lt may be important to conider more use of alternative feeds," Peel said, "which likely means management will be even more critical to avoid mes ing up production."
One economic factor is fertility and healch of dairy cows.
Les Hansen, dairy genenc1sr from rhe University of Minnesota, said crossbreeding in dairy cattle is used to complement genetic improvements within breeds and increase dairy efficiency.
Within Holsteins, inbreeding is be oming a problem, Han en aid. The Holstein generic base continues to narrow, according to O E ; esencially, no ourcross Holstein generic exi r globally.
"Inbreeding is increasing each year in the Holstein breed," Han en aid. "This causes increased inbreeding depression, especially for morrality, fertility, health and urviva.l.
' ew re earch is underway to help uncover the potential values of cro sbreeding for ommercial milk production," Han en said.
Concerns abour inbreeding are eliminated with cros breeding, acording to OCE
Different breeds of dairy cattle such a the Montbeliarde
and the wedi h Red offer differem qualities to complemem Holrein and Jersey , Han en said.
Betty Thompson, rhe 2006 acional Jer ey Queen, attended the event to promote her breed and let the producers know where to And information about the Jersey cow to answer any questions they may have before cro breeding to the breed.
"This is a great opportunity for dairy producers to gather and learn how to increase performance on their own farm ," Thomp on aid. '1 have been co several places nationwide, and chi was the fir t gathering like chis that I have attended."
In addition to inbreeding, dairy cow performance al o i threatened with a disease called pararuberculois, bercer known as Johne' disease.
Johne's disease is a contagious, debilitacing disease that is caused by bacterium in manure, oil and water. Once the disease reaches rhe small intestine, ir causes rhe walls of the inre tine ro chicken and become unable to absorb nutrients.
"This disease can lower milk production and ferrility," said Mike Pruitt, veterinarian for the Oklahoma Deparrmenr of Agricu.ltme, Food and Fore try. "A pound of prevention i worth more than an ounce of cure wirh this disease."
Pruitt aid the best prevention i not to purchase cattle infected wich Johne's disease.
"Knowing che health carus of rhe herd of origin is paramount ro protecting your herd," Pruitt said.
Thi, i one good reason co better under rand and use traceable systems such as the Nacional Animal Identification yscem, Pruitt aid.
Litherland's Top 10 Ways to Increase Dairy Efficiency
1. Reduce feed variation.
2. Increase comfort.
3. Formulate diets to meet nutrient requirements.
4. Increase milk production.
5. Group heifers separate from cows.
6. Keep cows clean.
7. Practice proper feed processing.
8. Minimize feed spoilage on digestible feeds.
9. Minimize illness and disease.
10. Minimize feed wastage at the bunk.
Jack Stout (left) and Les Hansen visit at a genetic trade show exhibit during lunch. (Photo by Jackie Haines)
A family legacy continues throughout a century
By ASHLEY MASON, Meno, Okla.
Lush grass. Golden whear. Dusr swirling in rhe wind dUiing harvesr. Ever-changing technology. Advancemenrs in agricwtute. A cenrury-old family bu ines
In terms of Oklahoma's agricultUial history, this depict WB. Johnston Enterprises and the Meibergen family legacy.
W.B. Johnston's Grain Co. began in 1893 in Enid, Okla., when Willis Boyd Johnston wanted to become a competitor in rhe Southwest's agricultural industry. Today, W.B. Johnston's Grain Co. has grown co become one of che division of Johnston Enrerprises.
In 1976, W.B. s grandson, Lew Meibergen, currenr chairman of rhe board of Johnsron Enterprises conrinued the family business when he bought the company from his uncle, Dale Johnsron, who was W.B.'s on.
"We had six elevators back then," Lew said. "I was forrunare enough to be able to buy Dale our, and we have gone from there."
Today, John con Enrerpri esstill markets grain and seed, handJing 20 percenr of Oklahoma's annual wheat crop. Ir is also the owner of warer pores in two stares, a corron gin, 23 country elevators, two grain terminals, a trucking company, five seedcleaning facilities a 50,000-bushelper-hour shuttle rail facility and an experimental research farm.
ln addition, W.B. Johnston Grain Co. operare an 800,000bu hel barge terminal in eastern Oklahoma, an 18-million-bushel rail terminal in Enid and a 2-million-bushel rail facility in hatruck.
Lew's son Burch Meibergen said Johnston Seed Co. has seen the most change throughout the years.
"The seed company used ro be
wheat eed, rye eed, alfalfa, clover and mungbeans," Burch said. " ow, primarily, we are into native grasses for the Conservation Reserve Program and rhen improved grasses for golf courses and bermudagrasses."
Johnston Seed o. also work with Oklahoma State Univer icy co market and develop bermudagrasses.
"OSU has developed some ourstanding bermudagrasses char are cold role.rant," Lew said. ' Riviera is rhe o. 1 seeded bermudagrass in the world. We have ir in 1- or 16 countries now."
A amily legacy
Today, the company continue to be family operated. Butch joined rheJohnscon team in 1979andserves as the president and chief executive officer. Burch's son, Joey, joined in 2004 and handles project management and development.
'Tm the luckiest per on on chi earrh," Joey said. "I get to ee my grandpa and dad every day. If half of what my grandpa's done over the years will sink inro me, I will learn something and if rhat happens, I'll be lucky."
Continuing the legacy of John-
ston Enrerprises i nor rhe only rradirion Lew passed down co his farn.ily. All rhree generacions are alumni of 0 U and the College of Agriculrural ciences and arural Resources.
In 1953, Lew graduated wirh a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry and a mfoor in agronomy.
"I always rhoughc I might want co be a rancher and it never materialized," Lew said.
Burdi followed his father's lead, except with a goal co become a veterinarian, when he enrolled in 1974.
"I was pre-vet for rwo years," Burch said. "I had all of the requirements for vet chool except five hour of chemistry; I just gor burnt om on the sciences."
Burch rhen changed hi major ro agricultural economics witb an option of farm and ranch managemenr; he graduated in 1979.
Joey scarred his collegiate career in Augu c 2000, beginning his pursuit of a civil engineering degree. He changed to agricultural engineering and then ro agricultural economics, completing hi degree in 2004.
"I bleed orange!" Joey said. "I didn't think there was anywhere else to go."
Below: The original WB. Johnston Grain office was located in Enid, Okla. (Photo courtesy of Johnston Enterprises)
Far left: Butch (left), Lew and Joey Meibergen own the Johnston Enterprises grain terminal in Enid, Okla. (Photo by Ashley Mason)
The collegelife
The Meibergen men have noticed a number of change ro O U since they were scudents.
"When l was at OSU, it was much smalJer than it is now," Lew said. "Ir just eemed like we were one big family.
"Of course, you had ro walk everywhere. ln the fraternity, I think there were only five or six guy that had cars. Everybody hoofed it, and if you wamed co go home on che weekend, you hitchhiked."
Lew participated in intramural sports, Block and Bridle, and the livestock judging ream while enrolled arO U.
During Butch's rime ar OSU, h , like his father, wa a member of Bera Theca Pi. Joey was a member of the O U Ducks Unlimited chapter and Aggie-X, a student organization in agriculrural economics.
Involvement with OSU
The Meibergens also aid they
believe it is important to support their alma mater.
"Oklahoma State University is, I feel, one of the only organization char cares abouc Oklal1oma, Oklahoma agriculrure and the farmer as much as we do," Joey said. "Thar is why ir is so important co continue their legacy and ro help us continue ours."
They have committed to upport O U and the Division of Agricultural ciences and Natural Resources through cholarship , the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Agriculrural Leadership Program, the DAS R Dean's Advisory Council and rhe OSU Foundation.
"The Meibergens bleed orange and are true cowboys in cheir suppore of Oklahoma rare Univer ity," ·aid Robert Whit on, DA NR vi e pre ident, dean and director. "We are truly blessed to have a family with the Meibergens' love for agriculture and rhe srare to be a true friend of DA NR and O U."
With w1dergraduate scholarhips, John con Enterprises suppons a variety of majors within CAS R, including animal science, plant and soil sciences, agricultural engineering and agricultural communicarions.
"We want good young adults to work for us," Burch said. "Our philosophy has been, if we keep our farmer profoable, we will be profitable. I chink char i probably one of the better tool we have is co upporc rhe extension service and cl1euniverity with cholarship
"We try to work with them and support chem co be able ro scay on me leading edge of recnnology, whether ir is chemical fertilizer or agronomy."
John ton Enrerpri es continues to be ar rhe forefront of me agricultural industry. Their continuing support of O U and CAS R shows rheir dedicarion ro ensuring rhe growth and succ s of OkJal1oma agriculture.
"We'IJ ju t keep pluggin' away co stay on cop of the agriculrnral industry," Lew said.
REYAPinstitute participants take advantage of opportunities to learn about agriculture, Oklahoma Stole University and the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
(Photo by LaDonna McCowan)
The beginningof a dream
By HOLLI LEGGETTE,Ulysses,Kan.
Oklahoma minoricy scudems can REYAP ['rep] whar they ow in agriculture through the Retired Educators for Youth Agriculcural Programs, which promore opportunities in agriculture for AfricanAmericans and orher culturally dJverse yourh.
Focusingon minorities in agriculture
REYAP began in 1994 under the direction of five retired vocational agriculmraJ educator
W. G. Parker, James R. Johnson, A. W. Hampton, M. E. Gamble and the !are Sam ombs, Jr. The founders were disappointed Oklahoma did nor have one minoricy agricultural educator, said LaDonna McCowan, Oklahoma tare Universicy assistant exrension specialist for urban and minoricy environmental programs.
"Oklahoma needed minoricy agricultural educators to provide a sustainable agricultural program for African-Americans and culturally dJver e yourh," McCowan aid.
The founders saw the need to promote minoririe in agriculture. They recognized a large nwnber of minorities were leaving agriculture, and they knew something had to be done, said Rita Combs, REYAP executive director, whose father-in-law was one of the program's founder
"The founders knew minorities would always have a means of upport with agriculture" Combs said.
REYAP established a vision to enhance the American dream of African-Americans and other culturally diverse individuals through opporrun ities in agricu1cure.
"We had three goals: get the program implemented, give srudencs the opporrunicy to do re earch projects, and give students the opporrunicy to compete with rheir research projects," Combs said.
REYAP,a statewide, nonprofit organization, has more than I 00 African-American and other culturally diverse youth ages 14 to 18 across Oklahoma. For more than 13 year , REYAP has invested in Oklahoma's
minority youth. The stable, sustainable program can be duplicated; however, the program has not gone national yet, ombs said.
"No other states have REYAP," McCowan said. "Other scares wanr the program really, really bad. Universicie and government in other states would like co ger a program like chi , bur REYAP ha nor expanded outside of Oklahoma."
REYAP has four foci - leader hip, cholar hip citizen hip and economic development, Combs said. The program combines rhe foci to develop internship opportunities for the students, McCowan said.
"We focus on inrernships," McCowan aid. "Oklahoma State for rhe last five years has provided inrem hips for the scudenrs."
ince Combs began as a volunteer in 2000, REYAP has made an impact on Oklahoma and agriculture, she said.
' I know people are more aware of agriculture becau e of REYAP," Combs said.
Ar one time, REYAP experienced a low budget and lirrle supporr; however, rhe youth who participated cl1ensrill gained experience and vical insight into Oklilioma agriculmre ombs said.
' Because of REYAP, I have had rhe opporrunity to nor only experience agriculture but also gain lifelong friend hips,' said hawn Fletcher, 1998-2003 REYAP participant and agricultural education senior. "le was one of the many successful foundation blocks rhat enabled me to make the decision to become an agriculrural educator."
Seeing the vision
Wirh a vision in mind, Combs said she approached OSU about rhe possibiliry of an insriture on rhe 0 U- rillwater campus.
"When we firsr approached 0 U in 2004, nothing happened," Combs said.
In May 2006, REYAP supponers approached Roberr E. Whitson, Division of Agricultural cience and arural Resources vice president, dean and director, about the possibility of an institute.
"Ir wouldn't have been possible without the support of Dr. Whitson through DA R," said Brent Westerman, Oklal1oma Agricultural Experimenr Srarion field and research service unit senior director.
McCowan said REYAP appreciates Whitson.
"The execucive director has tried w get people to see this dream," Mc owan said. " he was almost in tears; she said he see the dream. It i refre hing to talk to somebody about what you would really like ro see happen, and they see it already."
umerous individual have played a huge role in the REYAP institute on campus, Comb said.
The goals for the OSU program included increasing the knowledge and undersranding of science and technology in agriculrure through hands-on experience, improving research and presentation skills, introducing educational and career opporrnniries in science and technology in agriculture, and comributing co rhe
personal developmenr of culmrally diverse individuals.
"We wane REYAP participant to learn agriculrure is nor just milking cows and plowing the land and char our efforcs in research extension and reaching wirhin DAS R lead to che cutting edge rechnologie char posirively impact agriculrnre locally, regionally, nationally and globally," Wesrerman said.
Implementing the institute
In July 2006, the vi ion wa carried out on che O U- rillwater and Langsron University campuses through an in titure.
"We wanted ro get smdents and parenrs on campu and realize it i nor intimidating," Combs said.
The three-day in cimre pwvided 50 culturally diverse youth between the ages of 14 and 18 the opportunity to experience cience and technology in relation to agriculture.
"We wanted to ger smdenrs involved, particularly with research,' McCowan said. "Thar is why we chose OSU."
The institute allowed klahoma minority srndenrs to develop relationships with professionals in agriculrure and agriculrural research, McCowan said. The projecrs studenrs develop as a pare of the in rirure can be taken to comperirions on the local, disrricr, scare and nacional levels, Combs said.
"The student develop PowerPoinr presenracions for oral and poster pre en cation they would enter ar a national competirion the Minorities in Agriculture, attiral Resources and Related Sciences Conference," McCowan aid.
" rudents want ro meet with faculty again," Mc owan aid. "It is
different than students just participating in a workshop and leaving. They have a connection."
The insrimte was a broad look at DAS R chis year, but we hope for ic to become more in rhe years to come, Westerman said.
"Ir is important for O U to serve all of the citizens of Oklilioma and to expand educational opportunities in agriculrure and natural resource ," Whitson said. "This program provides unique opporrunities for culrurally diverse Oklal1oma srudents to have hands-on experiences in university research laborarorie ."
REYAP i key to the university in diversifying the campus, Westerman said.
"It leads to recruirmenr wich 0 U," Wescerman said. "Ir lets students know of all the scientific things we are involved with."
Imparting the future
OSU will host the institute again chi summer, Wesrerman said.
"We are looking to expand the workshop into four days and six different workshops," Westerman said. "le is an opportunity for [smdenrs] to come on campus and not just see rhe orange and black and the athletics we have to offer but to see what we have to offer from an agriculmral research standpoint. All che workshops will be research-based."
Even though the supporter of the inscirure have high hopes, ir is too soon to see the impacts on OSU and agriculture, Westerman said.
''The long-term goal is to prepare increased numbers of Oklahoma srudents to enter scientific careers in agriculture and natural re ources co further their own future and the future of chi scare," Whitson said.~
Ed Miller, associate dean of academic programs, discusses opportunities in agriculture with REYAPinstitute participants. (Photo by LaDonna McCowan)
iTeachingreaches CASNR
By JARED NUTTER, Pryor, Okla.
Imagine itring in a bedroom or a tudy hall looking over old notes. The next exam i coming rather quickly, and questions are running through your mind. You wi h for another way to receive information and be prepared.
Pacricia Ayoubi, a Waukomis, Okla., native, an Oklahoma tare University alumna and an assistant professor of biochemi try, ha found way ro benefit rudent 'study habits while increasing their knowledge co excel in the classroom.
"In seventh grade, one of my reacher asked me what I wamed to do when I grew up," Ayoubi said. "As I thought about chis question, I decided co pur ue a career in teaching and research. Thi dream continued into my high school years as 1 helped tucor chemistry."
In the fall of 2006, Ayoubi started using a podcascing system so students could gee online and download pasr lecture to their iPods. With chis technology, students are able co view lectures for any missing notes or to just refresh their memories. Ayoubi al o provides screaming video online for tudems without iPods.
a biochemi try/pre-medical tudent, took Ayoubi's biochemistry class. " his class being podcasted was very beneficial for me," Carrick said. "I have had to miss class for various reasons, and biochemistry is not a class to miss. Because of podcasting, I could still access Ayoubi's lectures, which I am thankful for."
tudenrs who choo e biochemi try as their major usually wane to pursue a career in some area of the medical field. Grades are cricical, so missing lectures is unacceptable.
"Education differentiates among srudenrs and all the different styles of exam ," Ayoubi aid. "I have found podcasting useful in my survey of biochemi try cour e. The iPod system reinforces the lectures; it does not replace rhe lectures.
"I have also started using the virrnal clas room and video lecture ," Ayoubi aid. "Prior to the exam, I tay nline o tudents can ask me que rions. I feel this is my duty as a professor, and I have noticed an improvement in exam scores."
This type of system helps tudents who are in the classroom a well. For example, being able to listen and watch the lectures numerous time can refresh one' memory and help co learn the information.
"Podcasting was a great idea," Carrick said. "In one class period, you can miss so much information, sometimes even a whole chapter. This is detrimental e pecially in an upper-level chemi try clas ."
lay el on phy iology/premed enior, attended Ayoubi's biochemistry class in fall 2006.
" he virtual classroom really helped me prepare for exams," elon said. "Many questions come up while srudying, and with Ayoubi' help and coniderarion I gee my questions answered."
After Ayoubi earned her doccorate from OSU in microbiology and molecular generics, she began in the biochemistry department with the new microarray facility. Thi facility was made available through the Experimental Program to cimulate Competitive Research grant program to benefit OSU and ocher colleges and univer ities around the state.
Ayoubi helped teach and train those who would work with the facility on operating the equipment properly. This technology must be used properly and carefully or the results will be inaccurate, Ayoubi said.
'Talk about a person who is able to handle a busy schedule," said Earl Mitchell, former biochemistry department head. ''Ayoubi reaches a variery of cour es, advises 150 rudenr , conducts summer workshops, teache tudents and faculty how to u e the microarray system, and has a husband and two children."
While teaching and advising in the departmenc, Ayoubi has helped operate che microarray faciliry since 200 I, which gives rhe undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience with genome expression.
"If students are planning on being physicians, sooner or later they will have to work in chis type of facili ry," Carrick said. "We need to cake advancage of the opporcuniry while we are here."
The opportunity for students co use chis faciJity is beneficial for chei.r future, Ayoubi said.
" his is some of the newest technology,' Ayoubi said. "With this type of equipmenr, you can cesc rhousand of gene ar once and dece r which gene are good and bad, which wotdd be impossible without the microarray sy tern."
Giving students che oppormniry co work with this technology lets chem see for themselves what can be accomplished with microarrays.
(Photocourtesyof Apple)
Peter Hoye, director of che OSU Microarray Core Faciliry and che Bioinformarics Core Faciliry since 2005, said chis faciliry is open to anyone who would like che chance to learn abour th genome proces
"This technology is important for biological research and rhe undersranding of the genome as a whole" Hoyt said.
'This faciliry and ocher facilities narionwide have opened opportuniries for researchers to see nor just one change re ulting from a rrearmenr bur to see all che change occurring throughout rhe genome.'
With older technologies, people would ger reseed while raking a drug, and che re ults would show only a single respon e; now, multiple responses oc multiple diseases can be detected at che same rime.
"With jusr one drop of blood, the experts can immediately know whar is wrong wirh a person," Mitchell said.
Once rhe blood is in che microarray faciliry, experts can cell you
whar problem might exi t, regardbs of the problem's intensiry.
"Most of rhe research done through O U is host pathogen interaction, which is wirh plants and mammals, such as mice and humans," Ayoubi aid. "The key to these research projects is to fmd our what genes rhe hosts are using against che pathogen ."
Ayoubi, in her role as a teacher, an adviser, a researcher and an expert in che microarray facility, has helped make the department what it is today.
" cudenrs can ea ily determine which teachers are putting forth maximum effort for us," said Phillip Friesen, biochemistry/pre-medical major. "Ic's rhe few second before class setting up the recording equipment and the few minutes after class uploading the sessions char disdngulsh Dr. Ayoubi as a professor who rruly care about che kind of education we receive.
''Ir is the small things chat truly make a professor impressive."~
Patricia Ayoubi (back) and Phillip Friesen work in the biochemistry lab. (Photo by Jared Nutter)
Whitson's Notes
The tudencs in the College of Agricultural Sciences and acural Resources have a long rradicion of being commitced to excellence.
Cortney Timmons, a biosysrems/ agricultural engineering rudenc from Ada, and Sara-Jane Smallwood an agriculcural communicarions srudenr from Clayron, were 2007 recipient of rhe Morri K. Udall Scholarship, a natlonal competlrion thar draws 700 or more oursranding nominations from U college and universities. Presenred to 80 srudenrs annually, this scholarship is among the most presrigiou collegiate honor in che United Srares.
In 2007, seven of O V's 15 Oursranding Seniors were from CA R! While the college has about 10 percent of the university's scudenc population, CAS R students annually make up 30 percem or more of tho e elected as OSU Outstanding Seniors, .che best of the best of the university's senior class.
These and similar examples of a commitment t0 excellence provide benefits not only to the individual scudents, bur also t0 their peers, furure srudems, our academic departments and the college a a whole.
This pasr spring, we presented more than 900,000 in scholarship and awards to de erving CAS R students for che 2007-2008 school year. The amount of financial assistance we provide far exceeds char of any ocher college at O U and would not be possible without the generous suppon of donors who believe in rhe quality of rhe ollege' rea hing program and the aspiration and porential of our studenrs. Ir' about our reputation for providing value, for making a difference in people' lives.
Robert E. Whitson Vice President, Dean and Direccor Division of Agriculrural ciences and Natural Resource
Come join us on tour
ome rour sire around che rare and experien e agriculture Oklahoma tyle.
Each year the OSU Ag Alumni Association sponsors a two-day Access Tour, which rakes Divi ion of Agricultural cience and arural Resources faculty, staff, alumni and srudenrs as well as Congressional staff members and pon oring agencie around the rare, aid Ja on Harvey, Ag Alumni presidenr.
This year, the alumni have planned a rour rhar includes Cimarron Vailey Experimenr Station in Perkins; Valley View Pecan Farm in Earlsboro; Oklahoma rare Prison in McAlester; McAle ter Ammunitions
plane; Kerr Cenrer in Poteau; and a poultry tour with OK Farms and Homer Moro Farm near Heavener.
Acces fV leave rillwarer on May 31 and returns June 1• however, participants can join the rour ar any point along the route, Harvey said.
Pre-registration is encouraged. This year the trip is funded by the OSU Agriculture Alumni Association and statewide agricultural organizations.
For pre-registration or to acquire additional information, call the College of Agricul rural Sciences and arural Resources ac 405-744-5395.
2006-07 Agriculture Alumni Board of Directors
Jason Harvey El Reno President, Ar-large
Shelly Ramsey Jones
Vice Presidenr, ortheasr
Kim pady Hinton ecrerary, Southwest Barry Bessinger. Watonga Ar-Large
Jami Longacre Kellyville ortheasr
Brenr Garvie Burlingron orrhwe t
Brent Kisling tiUwater
Clay Jones .................. Durant Southeast reve Up on ................ Ardmore ourheasr
Wes EUiotr. ................. Elk City ouchwe t
hidey Stephens Chickasha Ar-Large
Dana Goss .
anuce Ar-Large
Linda C. Marrin ............. Srillwarer Executive ecrerary
The OSU Alumni Association honored seven CASNRstudents as Outstanding Seniors for 2006-2007: Wravenna Phipps (front left), Ruth Bobbitt, Kathryn Bolay, Tyler Smith (back left), Blake Bixler, Katie Lee, and Jeff Clark.
Spotlight: Meet Barry Bessinger
A 1978 Oklahoma State University graduace in agriculrural economics, Agriculrure Alumni Association board member Barry Bessinger was born in Mountain View, Okla., but has called Watonga home since 1985.
Barry met his wife, Dana Hare, at an Aggie-X Club meering in I 978. Barry's fondest memories from O U are meeting his wife, going on cbe Spring Break trips with Aggie-X and having great rimes "shooting the bull" with his fellow ag students on the steps of Ag Hall.
The Bessingers have been married 28 years and have two sons arcending OSLJ. Travis is a history junior, and Jay .is an ag-
ricultural economics/accounting fre hman. Dana plans to recum to OSU next fall co work on her master's degree in reaching, learning and leadership. The Bessinger family bleeds orange!
In Waronga, Barry ha worked for Chisholm Trail Farm Credit for 22 years and serves as vice president and branch manager. Barry joined the OSU Ag Alumni Association board of directors in 1990 and is currently completing his second, nonconsecucive six-year term. He served as president for cwo years.
It is a pleasure to introduce you co Barry Bessinger, dedicated board member and trne Cowboy Fan!
Wes Watkins Center for
(or immediately
Please plan to attend and celebrate
Barry Bessinger
Cowboy Journal
Oklahoma State University
Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership
