Missouri State University
Agriculture Blog

Dixon and Potter Place at NEO Horse Show

Posted on by Christi Sudbrock
Durrell Dixon shows off his prizes from the NEO Colt Show with MOSU Dun Got Trouble

Senior Durrell Dixon and junior Daniel Potter recently took to the arena  at the NEO Colt Show to represent the Missouri State Darr School of Agriculture Ranch Horse Team.  Each competitor showed off their skills in conformation, reining, ranch pleasure and trail classes. This competition further challenged the students, who had to compete on younger horses still in training programs at their respective universities or colleges.  Potter placed 3rd overall in the 3 year and under division riding Double Dak Doc, the result of a generous donation from Susan M. Tuohy.  Dixon was Hi-Point in the 4 year old and older division and High Point Overall Winner!  Dixon rode MOSU Dun Got Trouble, a horse that was bred, raised and is currently owned by the Darr School of Agriculture.

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School of Agriculture Honor Society places 2nd in National Quiz Bowl; Elected as National President.

Posted on by Christi Sudbrock
The Missouri State Delta Tau Alpha quiz bowl team accepts their 2nd place award for National Quiz Bowl. From left; Casteel Kirk, Shana Austin, Cheyenne Shipps and Dr. Beth Walker

The National Agriculture Honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha traveled to Warrensburg, Mo for the National DTA Convention in April and came back as 2nd place quiz bowl champions and with the new National DTA President, Casteel Kirk, in tow.

Kirk was first nominated for the position by the Missouri State DTA chapter.  At the National Convention following an application and interview process, Kirk was slated as National President.  Competing with representatives from numerous Universities, Kirk was awarded the prestigious position by a majority vote. “This position means that I get to network with other individuals in agriculture that place a high value on academics. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as National President for an organization that is truly ‘Dedicated to Agriculture!’”, said Kirk of her recent election.

 In addition, the MSU DTA quiz bowl team comprised of Cheyenne Shipps, Shana Austin and Kirk, competed in knowledge areas including agricultural business, plant and soils science and animal science.  The team placed second overall, losing only to Arkansas State University.

The Honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha was founded in 1960, after a proposal by Professor John D. Schatz from Southwest Missouri State College. The purpose of DTA is to recognize high standards of scholarship, leadership, and character among agricultural students.

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Bears in the News: Plant Upside-Down Tomatoes!

Posted on by Christi Sudbrock

Check out our very own Associate Professor in the Darr School of Agriculture Dr. Clydette Alsup-Egbers showing viewers how to plant upside-down tomatoes on KY3! 

 http://www.ky3.com/videogallery/69322816/News/Growing-Tomatoes-Upside-Down

 

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Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler’s Visit to the Darr Agricultural Center

Posted on by Christi Sudbrock
Senior Agricultural Communications student Alison Bos introduces Congresswoman Hartzler to Judy, one of the School’s horses during a recent visit to the Darr Agricultural Center.

 

Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler of Missouri’s 4th Congressional District visited the Darr Agricultural Center Friday, March 30th.  Over 35 faculty, staff, special guests and students greeted the Congresswoman Friday afternoon.  Among the special guests in attendance were Mr. Bill and Mrs. Darr after whom the Center is named.

After touring the state-of-the-art Christopher S. Bond Learning Center, the Congresswoman shared her comments with the gathered students.  Congresswoman Hartzler shared humorous stories from her past growing up on a farm in Archie, Mo.  She currently farms in Cass County with her husband Lowell.  She represents one of the four house members still directly connected to a working farm.  It is no doubt fitting then that she serves on the House Agricultural Committee. 

The Congresswoman took a few moments to share with students some issues that will likely come before the House during the next legislative session, including the renewal of the Farm Bill.  She noted how she is always impressed by the farming community.  In a time when Federal spending cuts are imminent, those she has spoken with do not ask to be spared cuts all together, but rather accept that spending cuts will be made and are willing to do their part to decrease the National Debt.  However, these individuals are hopeful that not all of the spending cuts will come from farm programs.  The Congresswoman vowed that while spending cuts would occur, the farming community would not be disproportionally hurt. 

 

Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler poses for a picture with special guest, faculty, staff and students at the Christopher S. Bond Learning Center Friday, March 30.
 
Congresswoman Hartzler greets William Boyer, a junior at the Darr School of Agriculture, during her visit to the Darr Agricultural Center on March 30.
 
 
 
Congresswoman Hartzler greets William Boyer, a junior at the Darr School of Agriculture, during her visit to the Darr Agricultural Center on March 30.
 
 
Congresswoman Hartzler poses for a picture with Dr. Anson Elliott, the Director of the School of Agriculture and Bill and Virginia Darr.
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Evaluating a potential vineyard site at Mountain Grove

Posted on by Marilyn Odneal

The Environmental Soils class visited the State Fruit Experiment Station at Mountain Grove last evening in order to evaluate a potential vineyard site. Three soil pits were previously dug by Jeremy Emery, a field supervisor at the station. Tom DeWitt, a soils instructor at Missouri State, and Adam Coulter of the NRCS evaluated the soil situation with the class. The students will formulate recommendations concerning vineyard layout and soil modifications for the future planting.

Each of the three soil pits in different areas of the planting site were evaluated.
Each of the three soil pits in different areas of the planting site were evaluated.
The depth of the different soil layers is measured.
The depth of the different soil layers is measured.
Samples of each layer are collected and put into muffin tins for later analysis.
Samples of each layer are collected and put into muffin tins for later analysis.
Tom DeWitt discusses a student's description.
Tom DeWitt fine tunes a description.
A color chart is used to help define the fragipan layer.
A color chart is used to help define the fragipan layer.
The GPS location of each soil pit is recorded for future reference.
The GPS location of the soil pit is looked up by Adam Coulter and recorded by a student for future reference.
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Missouri State Student Qualifies for Semi-Final Horse Show Competition

Posted on by Christi Sudbrock
Bos competes at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone 7 Region 5 Championships

Alison Bos, a senior in Agricultural Communications at Missouri State University in the Darr School of Agriculture, qualified for Semi-Finals in the Advanced Horsemanship division at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Zone 7 Region 5 Championships hosted at Pinegar Arena this weekend. Bos took Reserve Champion in the Advanced Western Horsemanship division. The top two riders in each category qualify for Semi-Final competition.

Bos beat out students from seven Universities for the coveted Semi-Final spot. Competitors draw a horse to ride from a potential pool. The competitor must then compete in a series of tasks that demonstrates his or her ability to ride and control the horse. If Bos does well at the Semi-Final competition at the University of Delaware later this month and places among the top four riders, she will be eligible to compete at the National Championships held in North Carolina in May. Along with her involvement in competitive horse shows, Bos is the president of the Missouri State Horseman’s Association and was one of six students honored by the Missouri State Board of Governors as a Citizen Scholar for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Overall, Missouri State University had a strong showing at the weekend competition. In addition to Bos, Cari Printz captured the fourth spot in Beginner Horsemanship and Micala Penton placed third in Open Horsemanship. Missouri State finished as the 2012 Reserve Champions in Western Team, taking a second place spot to Black Hawk College located in Kewanee, Ill.

We wish Alison the best of luck as she travels to Delaware at the end of the month!

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Grow Local Production and Marketing Workshop was a great success!

Posted on by Pam Mayer
Stephen Sanders and Josh Pederson of HyVee answer questions from the crowd at the Grow Local! Marketing and Production Workshop.

     Approximately 75 area producers attended the Grow Local! Production and Marketing Workshop at the Bond Learning Center on February 18th. Attendees of the conference had the opportunity to discover added value through direct marketing of their products and to hear experts speak on a variety of production topics.
     The morning session of this conference highlighted the opportunities and pitfalls of direct local marketing. Dr. Arbindra Rimal, from the Darr School of Agriculture shared highlights from his recent research on the potential market share for locally produced foods. Not surprisingly, there exists real opportunities within the Springfield area to capture added value by marketing local produce. However, the road from the farm gate to the store shelf is not always clear cut.
     Producers had the opportunity to hear from Curtis Millsap, of Millsap Farms located south of Springfield, talk about his experiences with both the opportunities and difficulties of producing and marketing local produce. Additionally, Stephen Sanders and Josh Pederson were on site representing HyVee, a local retail grocery store. The pair shared information on the process of placing locally produced food on HyVee shelves.
     The afternoon session focused on current farming techniques and covered a variety of topics. Producers were able to hear from the experts on an assortment of subjects from soil site selection, low stress animal handing, to basic green production. For more information about Grow Local! Production and Marketing Workshop including handouts, please visit http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/commercial/GrowLocal.htm

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Workshop to assist local growers with production, marketing

Posted on by Jessica Clements

The William H. Darr School of Agriculture is sponsoring the Grow Local: Production and Marketing Workshop from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 18. This workshop is perfect for local growers interested in learning how to capture the added value direct marketing has to offer.

Sessions

The morning session of this one-day workshop will include talks on the current local food movement, the potential for direct marketing in Springfield and the surrounding areas, and participation by HyVee, a local retailer interested in local produce. You will learn how to access USDA soil surveys and what these surveys mean for your production goals.

In the afternoon, you can attend either the animal agriculture session or horticulture session. In each of these enterprise sessions, experts in the field will share their knowledge in short talks tailored to production topics.

Event details

The workshop costs $15 a person, which includes lunch. Registration is requested by Tuesday, Feb. 14. All workshop sessions will take place in the Bond Learning Center at the Darr Agricultural Center, 2401 South Kansas Expressway, Springfield, Mo.

More information is available on the event’s website.

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Two agriculture students receive Citizen Scholar Award

Posted on by Jessica Clements

Two agricultural communications students were recognized as Citizen Scholars at the December 2011 Board of Governors meeting. Alison Bos of Billings and Samantha Warner of Archie were among the six Citizen Scholars honored for the 2011-12 year. Nominated by two of our faculty members, Alison and Samantha were recognized for their dedication to the public affairs mission of the university through coursework, activities and service-learning opportunities.

Alison assists with recruiting and fundraising efforts for the Darr School of Agriculture and received the American FFA degree after her freshman year. She is also the president of the Horsemen’s Association and handles horses for therapeutic riding and hippo-therapy sessions.

Samantha served as president of the Missouri FFA during the 2009-2010 school year and was the first Missouri State student to serve as a candidate for a national FFA office. She also received the American FFA degree. Samantha was also one of 23 students chosen from across the United States to participate in an agricultural cultural exchange with students from Taiwan.

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