By KAREN BINDER
Illinois Correspondent

CARBONDALE, Ill. — What better way for high school and agriculture students to be introduced to careers than by meeting the professionals who populate those fields?

That’s the intent behind the annual Agriculture Industry Day hosted by the Southern Illinois University Carbondale College of Agricultural Sciences, says Dean Gary L. Minish.

Set up on the grounds of college’s University Farms Rowden Road complex, students recently found such activities as livestock judging, a grape growing workshop and clinics on landscape design, horsemanship, food trivia and cooking, entrepreneurship, forestry demonstrations, animal care and agritourism.

Now in its sixth year, the day has grown to add programs aimed at young people to draw in more prospective students. “We want to showcase the college’s teaching, research and outreach programs – that’s still the focus,” Minish said.

Last year, largely because of added youth-oriented programs, he believes attendance doubled to more than 700 people.

Kicking off this year’s day were FFA judging contests as well as an update on Saluki football by head coach Dale Lennon.

Following were a student presentation on what it’s like to be an SIUC student, and a talk by alumnus G. David Delaney, president of PCS Sales for Potash Corp., on why SIUC was the right choice for him.

The afternoon brought horsemanship demonstrations by a local “horse whisperer,” landscape design and care tips, nutrition information, lumberjack competitions and regional wine tastings.
 “It’s a fun day, there’s something for everyone and there’s plenty to eat,” Minish said with a smile.