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Campus Chatter - Feb. 23, 2011 |
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MSU dairy team hosts raffle to earn money for Europe trip
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Students in the Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Judging Program are holding a raffle to raise money to help pay for their trip to Europe, June 22 through July 5, where they’ll visit England, Scotland, France, Germany and Luxembourg.
A maximum of 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold at a price of $10 each. The drawing to select the winner takes place March 25 at the annual MSU Spartan Spectacular Calf Sale held at the MSU Pavilion.
The winner will receive $1,000 and does not have to be present at the time of the drawing.
The money raised from the raffle and a percentage of the profits from this year’s calf sale will help pay for the trip to Europe for the students. The Spartan Spectacular Calf Sale is a student-run fundraiser that benefits both the MSU Dairy Club and the MSU Dairy Judging Program.
“This is the fourth time in the last six years that we’ve earned an invitation to participate in this trip to Europe,” said MSU Extension dairy youth specialist Joe Domecq. “It’s a well-earned and deserved accomplishment and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students, and in some cases it might be the only opportunity that some of these students will have to travel to Europe.”
The invitation to travel to Europe is extended to the top three placing teams in their respective divisions (4-H, postsecondary and collegiate) at the annual World Dairy Expo dairy judging contest. Most recently, the 2006 and 2007 Michigan 4-H and the 2006 Michigan State University MSU Ag Tech (postsecondary) dairy judging teams earned invitations for the trip, which they made in June 2008. The first Michigan 4-H team to win an invitation was the 2004 team, which traveled to Europe in the summer of 2006.
Earning an invitation to travel to Europe this summer are the 2009 and 2010 Michigan 4-H dairy judging teams that each placed second at the World Dairy Expo. All are now students at MSU: Emily Butcher, agribusiness senior from Owosso (Shiawassee County); Eric Sneller, animal science junior from Sebewaing (Huron County); Katie Arndt, advertising junior from St. Johns (Clinton County); Lauren Bush, animal science sophomore from Swartz Creek (Genesee County); Levi Westendorp, dairy management freshman from Nashville (Barry County); Matt Mann, animal science freshman from Camden (Hillsdale County); Sara Mowry, agribusiness management senior from Burlington (Calhoun County); and Sarah Michalek, agriscience education freshman from Deckerville (Sanilac County). Also going on the trip is team member J.W. Hart from North Adams (Hillsdale County).
“They’ll go to London and Paris and see the sites. They’ll be part of the Royal Highland Show and Judging Contest in Scotland. In Luxembourg they’ll get to stay on a farm with families for three days, as well as visit different farms and agriculture settings in all the countries,” Domecq said. “The participants will learn about issues affecting the dairy industry on an international level, be exposed to European dairy practices and meet a lot of wonderful people. In addition, they will have a chance to visit historical sites, museums and other attractions.”
Raffle tickets may be purchased by calling Lauren Bush at 810-844-6159 or sending an e-mail to bushlau1@msu.edu, or by calling Domecq at 517-353-7855.
UoI science program students graduate
URBANA, Ill. — The first students in the Professional Science Master’s program at the University of Illinois graduated on Dec. 17. Three students graduated with a master’s degree in agricultural production; two students in food science and human nutrition; and six students in Bioenergy – all from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) in cooperation with the Graduate College of the University of Illinois.
“We’re excited to have the first students to graduate from this new program that combines a superb education in science with training in management, business and professional leadership,” said Dr. Laurie Kramer, Associate Dean for Academic Programs for ACES. “With their strong backgrounds in both science and management, PSM graduates will make unparalleled contributions to industry, and society as a whole.”
The PSM is a non-thesis program that enables students to gain graduate training in a scientific discipline. The business curriculum complements the science core and includes courses in technology management, marketing, entrepreneurship, people and technology at work, and more.
The program is completed in 16-months of full-time study on the Urbana-Champaign campus and includes a summer internship with a relevant business or organization. A thesis is not required.
“The PSM has provided me with enough GENERAL knowledge about bioenergy to be able to compare and evaluate different technologies and focus on what I believe is most viable,” said Derek Latil, a Bioenergy PSM graduate. “With a huge amount of courses to choose from, any possible aspect of the bioenergy system is covered in the PSM.”
A new PSM program in Technical Systems Management is being launched August 2010. This new program will prepare individuals to become problem solvers for systems involving the application, management, and marketing of agricultural engineering technologies. Applications are now available at http://psm.illinois.edu.
For more information about the PSM program, including admissions requirements, visit: http://psm.illinois.edu
UT horticulturist named contributor to Fine Gardening
JACKSON, Tenn. — University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Horticulturist and Research Associate Jason Reeves is the newest contributing editor to Fine Gardening magazine. According to Fine Gardening Editor Steve Aitken, Reeves was selected for his plant expertise and his commitment to providing useful, accurate information to hands-in-the-dirt gardeners. Reeves officially began as contributing editor in December 2010.
Fine Gardening is considered to be one of the premier gardening magazines in the nation. Typical features include garden design ideas, time-saving tips, reviews of gardening tools and regional planting advice. The magazine is published bimonthly.
“I am so honored to work with a magazine of the caliber of Fine Gardening,” says Reeves. “Through the years, Fine Gardening has led the industry with their commitment to quality features, accurate writing and exceptional photography. I’m glad to be a part of the team and hope my contributions add to this upstanding publication.”
Reeves currently serves as the research horticulturist and curator of the UT Gardens Jackson, located on the grounds of the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, a position he’s held since 2001. Before working with UT, Reeves worked at the famed Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia, at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, and the Palomia Gardens in New Zealand. In addition to his research projects and grounds upkeep, Reeves also plays a major role in planning the annual Summer Celebration Lawn & Garden Show, held each July at the center.
You can find Fine Gardening in most newsstands, bookstores and retail outlets as well as online at www.finegardening.com |
| 2/23/2011 |
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