Fort Hays State University Volume 24 Winter 2008
Inside This IssueWater Quality Project .................... 2
Coaching Changes ........................ 2
Student Honors .............................. 3
Agriculture Practicum................... 4
Judging Team News ...................... 4
Student Club News ................... 5-7
College Dean’s Message .............. 8
DISPATCHNEWS FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS
From the Chair -- Dr. John Greathouse
—see Conference - page 5
FHSU has long been recognized for
its progressive use of computer
technology to enhance student learning.
The expectation that students now
bring this technology with them as they
arrive on campus has created a unique
instructional environment where
laptops and tablet computers steadily
are replacing the traditional pencil and
paper in the classroom.
Thanks to recent advances in networking
and wireless communication, opportunities
exist to take this technology into the mobile
work environment. These opportunities
complement the applied nature of our
programs where the students’ learning
environment often extends beyond the
physical boundaries of the campus
classroom.
This past year the department
collaborated with a group of senior
Information Networking, and
Telecommunications (INT) students on
a capstone networking research project.
The initial intent of the project was to
explore opportunities to bring faster
and more direct internet service from
campus to the University Farm office
facilities. Fiber optic lines and wireless
routers seemed to be the most logical
solution. It wasn’t long before the
students broadened their interests,
however, and began to examine
available technologies that would
create an electronic communication
network that could be accessed from
any location on the Farm – including
offices and remote field locations.
The students worked with our local/
regional communications provider, Nex-
Tech Wireless, to gain access to a
relatively new networking technology
that would provide remote connectivity.
Using EVDO (evolution data only/
evolution data optimized) technology,
access to the Internet and university
network has been made possible
through a commercially available
wireless broadband card. Signals routed
through cell phone towers provide a
continuous, reliable, and affordable
wireless communication environment
(“hotspot”) at any location on the Farm.
Use of this technology is not limited to
the Farm, however, because its
broadband connectivity provides remote
access wherever there is cell phone
service.
As a result of the professional and
comprehensive efforts of the INT group,
Nex-Tech Wireless donated a new
Panasonic Toughbook computer to the
department. This computer is designed to
operate in a rugged, mobile environment
and will provide the capability for further
experimentation with the EVDO
technology in an agricultural setting. We
greatly appreciate the efforts of the INT
students to advance the department’s
networking capabilities. Furthermore, we
are thankful to Nex-Tech Wireless
(Johnie Johnson, CEO/General Manager;
Brian Spurgeon, Director of Finance and
Development; and, Dorothy Stieben,
Agent Manager) for their cooperation and
generous support of this initiative.
The EVDO Project Team -- Front
Row (L to R): Brandon Rogers, Cody
Hollerich, Adam Haag, and Stephen
Brown. Back Row (L to R): Dr. John
Greathouse, Ms. Dorothy Stieben (Nex-
Tech Wireless), and Joshua Nelson.(Photo courtesy of Kurt Beyers,
University Relations)
Ag Outlook Conference -- Mr. Mick Glaze & Dr. Andrew Novotorov
The 31st Annual Agricultural Outlook
Conference, sponsored by the
Agriculture Department, was held on
October 31, 2008, in the FHSU
memorial Union. Dr. Larry Gould,
Provost, Fort Hays State University,
welcomed the nearly 100 registered
guests. After the opening remarks the
participants were enlightened by an
outstanding panel of speakers.
John Hay, Extension Educator from
the University of Nebraska, Lincoln,
NE, addressed the very popular subject
of ethanol with a presentation titled
“Cellulosic Bio-fuels – Agronomic and
Logistical Challenges.”
Hay told the crowd that cellulosic
ethanol is more difficult to produce than
corn ethanol because the cellulose in
plants is harder to break down and refine
than is the starch in grain. There is a
process called gasification, that is being
used with some success. Some major
crops being studied for cellulosic ethanol
production are corn stover, switch grass,
miscanthus grass and corn cobs.
Hay told the attendees that switch
grass could yield about 2-3 tons of
residue per acre; a 150 bushel corn
yield would result in about 4 tons of
residue if the entire crop was
harvested, and miscanthus could yield
up to 10 tons of residue per acre. Wind
and water erosion would be major
concerns in Kansas and Nebraska with
removal of the entire amount of
residue from a field. Miscanthus is a
very difficult crop to establish since it
must be propagated vegetatively and
it would take a long time to get to full
production capacity. It also has a high
water demand.
Department NewsWinter 2008 Page 2
Department of Agriculture
212 Albertson Hall
Phone: (785) 628-4196
Dr. Garry Brower - Animal Science
Mr. Buddy Curry - Livestock Judging Coach
Ms. Stephanie Eckroat - Dairy Manager
Mr. Steve Engelhardt - Plant Tech II
Mr. Mick Glaze - Agricultural Business
Dr. Jean Gleichsner - Crops and Soils
Dr. John Greathouse - Animal Science
Dr. Brittany Howell - Animal Science
Mr. Brian Lockman - Swine Manager
Ag Department Faculty & Staff Information
FAX: (785) 628-4183
www.fhsu.edu/agriculture
Dr. Andrew Novotorov - Agricultural Business
Mr. Gary Rolland - Beef Manager
Ms. Melissa Rudell - Administrative Assistant
Mr. Bronc Rumford- Rodeo Coach
Mr. Ross Russell - Asst. Rodeo Coach
Dr. Robert Stephenson - Crops and Soils
Ms. Shelly Vandiver - Asst. Dairy Manager
Mr. Harland Werth - Crop/Shop Manager
Bronc
Rumford has
been named
the new head
coach of the
Fort Hays
State
University’s
rodeo team.
Rumford
was on the
rodeo team
while a student
at FHSU, competing in bareback riding,
steer wrestling and calf roping. In 1973,
he was one of three men from FHSU to
go to the College National Finals in the
All-Around Cowboy Classification. Fort
Hays State is the only university to
ever qualify three men for the all-
around classification. He graduated in
1974 from FHSU.
Rumford is the owner/manager of
Rumford Rodeo Company in Abbeyville.
The Rumford Company produces rodeos
all around the USA. Rumford Rodeo
Company has qualified either bulls or
horses for the National Finals Rodeo
almost every year. Rumford has been on
the National Finals Rodeo contractors
committee and also has been the
president of the Miss Rodeo America
Pageant. He also breaks and trains
horses at the ranch in Abbeyville
In December 2009, Rumford will
travel to Spain to put on rodeos
overseas. He has produced rodeos in
South America and Sweden as well.
Ross Russell
will be the
assistant
coach. Russell
is a 2008
graduate of
Fort Hays
State
University
with a degree
in justice
studies. He is
originally from
Minden, NE, where he participated in
rodeo in high school. He was on Colby
Community College’s rodeo team and
joined the FHSU rodeo team when he
transferred in fall 2006.
Rumford and Russell will replace Dr.Garry Brower, who coached the rodeoclub for 25 years. Brower continues inadministrative capacity with the rodeoteam and remains an associateprofessor of agriculture. (Articlecourtesy of University Relations)
Coaching ChangesWater Quality Project -- Dr. Bob StephensonThe water quality project initiated in
December 2006 continues across Trego,
Ellis, Russell and Ellsworth counties. The
research project in conjunction with
Kansas State University, the City of
Hays and several other agencies has
expanded in the number of sampling sites
and has gained nationwide attention.
Students from several classes and clubs
at FHSU have been involved with the
project from Soil & Water Management,
Agronomic Crop Production to the
Agronomy Club. Students have helped
collect water samples, recorded data
[oxygen content, salinity (salts), pH and
other parameters], analyzed samples for
total suspended solids (soil sediment)
and run tests for coliform and E. coli.
Students have also been involved in
making presentations regarding the
project at events in the Hays areas
(Water Festival and Home & Garden
Show at The Mall).
Bob Stephenson (FHSU Agriculture
Department), Stacie Minson (Kanopolis
Watershed Specialist) and James Leiker
(K-State Extension) have all made
presentations at various conferences and
meetings (Houston, TX, Las Vegas, NV,
and Lincoln, NE). Information regarding
the project and other on-going work can be
found at: www.MyKansasWatershed.com.
In the foreground Eric Klein
(Minneapolis) and Michael Dietz
(Ogallah), students in Agronomic
Crop Production, weigh samples
for the water quality project.
Fort Hays State University is
committed to diversifying the campus
and allowing students to study other
places. These places can be at other
universities within the U.S. or abroad. I
was able to attend classes at Moscow
State Agro engineering school in Moscow,
Russia for the 2008 spring semester.
The experience began on January 15
with a flight to Moscow. The first two
weeks I was there the classes I took were
strictly about the Russian language to
help me and the five other American
students in the program become more
comfortable with the alphabet and some
basic survival communication. After the
first two weeks of classes the program
got into the normal schedule with classes
everyday. On Monday I had Russian
language, Tuesday and Thursday I had
Russian Experience -- Mr. Aaron Laddthe core classes and on Wednesday I
took tours of Russian agriculture. The
core classes were taught by American
professors with the spoken language
being English and they would last for
one month. The first was ag economics,
then a basic bioengineering class and
finally ag communication.
With the field trips I was able to see a
wide variety of places from dairy farms
to a yogurt processing plant, a 300 acre
greenhouse to a mushroom farm, the
second largest John Deere dealership in
the world to a Claas distribution center.
These tours would take the group from
within Moscow to 160 kilometers away
to the farms or factories.
—see Russia - page 3
Page 3Winter 2008 Student HonorsAgriculture Scholarships Dean’s Honor Roll
Fall 2007
Bryce Allen - Argonia
Jimmy Bishop - Goddard
Ty Brunswig - WaKeeney
Adam Frisch - Madison, NE
Cody Gillespie - Amherst, NE
Tyler Goetz - Grainfield
Emily Griess - Grand Island, NE
Brent Gruenbacher - Colwich
Jordyn Herman - Hill City
Scott Johnston - Rexford
Nathan Legleiter - Hays
Steve Leyerzapf - Abilene
Mallory Saathoff - Naponee, NE
Cassie Schmidtberger - Victoria
Macy Sexson - Weskan
Cord Sprague - Hays
Marci Stone - Garden City
Lyndon Wagner - Holly, CO
Blaine Walt - Collyer
Andrea Wilson - Gaylord
Spring 2008
Cody Gillespie - Amherst, NE
Brent Gruenbacher - Colwich
Jordyn Herman - Hill City
Stephen Hornung - Stratton, CO
Scott Johnston - Rexford
Wesley Kilmurry - Atkinson, NE
Heath Klein - Atwood
Stephen Leyerzapf - Abilene
Kirk Nielsen - Minden, NE
Mallory Saathoff - Naponee, NE
Seth Scheuerman - Scott City
Cassie Schmidtberger - Victoria
Chad Schmidtberger - Victoria
Macy Sexson - Weskan
Blaine Walt - Collyer
Departmental scholarships were
awarded this year to freshmen,
transfers, and continuing students
majoring in agriculture. Scholarship
recipients were selected on the basis of
academic achievement and interest in
agriculture.
Congratulations to each scholarship
recipient, and a special thank you to the
scholarship sponsors.
Ark RiverLane Bruce - Argonia
Department of AgricultureEndowedJosh Adelhardt - CunninghamMallory Saathoff - Naponee, NEWesley Sterling - Garden City
Edward and Carolyn Scanlon FundAmanda Brungardt - GorhamChelsea Cunningham - AshlandDrew Hubbell - SpearvilleKyle Klein - Dodge CityFrancis Rupp - Garden CityCassie Schmidtberger -VictoriaSage Sexson - WeskanChristopher Staub - St. JohnEmily Zillinger - Logan
Albert GrafWendy Dague - Washington
Martin and Amelia Gross FamilyCraig Dinkel - Palco
Guy Bemis Memorial ScholarshipTyler Algrim - Garden City
High Plains Farm CreditTy Brunswig - WaKeeney
Kansas Farm BureauBrent Gruenbacher - ColwichKaren Holliday - Liberty
Midland MarketingBrian Younker - Jetmore
To qualify for the Dean’s Honor Roll
at FHSU a student must complete 12 or
more credit hours with a GPA for that
academic term of at least 3.6.
Congratulations to the following
agriculture and agricultural business
majors for obtaining such an honor.
Kansas Farm CreditBrodie Williams - WallaceBrian Younker - Jetmore
Kansas Society of Farm Managers andRural AppraisersBlaine Walt - Collyer
Herbert L. Fought Fund
Adam Albers - Oakley
Bryce Allen - Argonia
Nikki Brobst - Stockton
Carmon Crawford - Cambridge, NE
Jennifer Daffer - Danbury, NE
Nicholas Dreitz - Brush, CO
Bruce Figger - Hudson
Amber Friedrichs - Bremen
Anna Friedrichs - Bremen
Cody Gillespie - Amherst, NE
Travis Goetz - Dodge City
Emily Griess - Grand Island, NE
Alan Haag - Danbury, NE
Jordyn Herman - Hill City
Mike Holton - Tonganoxie
Scott Johnston - Rexford
Joshua Klausmeyer - Goddard
Aaron Ladd - Effingham
Lanee Lausch - Scott City
Erin Montgomery - Guide Rock, NE
Jared Nelson - Formoso
Meagan Nelson - Paola
Kirk Nielsen - Minden, NE
Cody Pratt - Scott City
Cecilia Reiter - Jewell
Sam Rempe - Superior, NE
Aaron Roach - St. John
Evan Schluntz - Republican City, NE
Robyn Sellard - Bucklin
Lane Underwood - Esbon
James Ward - Dighton
Erica Wasson - Baldwin
Luke Whitehill - Garden City
Kelsey Wohletz - Denton
Jacob Wulfkuhle - Rossville
Charles and Lura Stuzman MemorialBenjamin Martin - Columbia, MO
Russiafrom page 2 Aaron Ladd (front
row center), is
shown with his
classmates in
Russia. Aaron is
an agricultural
business major
from Effingham.
The experience in Moscow allowed for
more than just classes about agriculture.
I was able to visit and see many of the
sights and celebrations in Moscow and I
was able to go to St. Petersburg for three
days. This experience has allowed me to
learn so much about agriculture but, it
also was a reminder that if Americans
want to remain a global leader we must
continue to work hard and never become
complacent.
Livestock Judging Team -- Mr. Buddy Curry
Student News Page 4Winter 2008
Crops Judging Team -- Dr. Bob Stephenson
The livestock judging team has nine
students preparing to start their year of
competition. This fall they traveled to
practices and a small mock contest.
This spring’s travel schedule will
include Express Ranch, National
Western, Fort Worth, Dixieland
Nationals, San Antonio, Houston and
NACTA. The planned fall contest
rotation is National Barrow Show, Mid-
American Livestock Judging Contest,
Agriculture Practicum -- Mr. Buddy CurryAGRI 316 Agriculture Management
Practicum is a course which provides
university credit for students who com-
plete an “internship” experience with an
agriculture emphasis.
We appreciate the interest and support
from the cooperators and organizations
that provide practicum opportunities.
The Fort Hays State University
Crops Judging Team has experienced
some exciting times during spring and
fall 2008. In April three members (four
needed for a team) went to Tarelton, TX
to practice and gain experience in the
NACTA (North American Association of
Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture)
Crops Contest. All three members did
quite well. Jordyn Herman would have
placed third in Plant & Seed ID had we
been competing for awards. This was
the first semester for all three
members. The team competed in the
2008 fall Regional and National ASA
(American Society of Agronomy)
contests held at Manhattan, KS and
Kansas City, MO, respectively. They
placed second at Manhattan and had a
strong showing in Kansas City. The
contest in Kansas City brings in teams
from all over the country. They are
already preparing for the 2009 KACTA
(Kansas Association of Colleges and
Teachers of Agriculture) and NACTA
The following businesses/individuals
supervised students this past year:
Ag Valley Coop - Indianola, NE
Crop Quest - Dodge City
Grainland Coop - Holyoke, CO
Lone Creek Cattle Company -
Valentine, NE
Midland Marketing - LaCrosse
Servi-Tech, Inc. - Dodge City
Triple J Farms - Logan
Your Insurance Corner - Stockton
Please contact the department if you
have an interest in supervising a
practicum student in the future.
Tulsa State Fair, Texas State Fair,
American Royal and North American
International Livestock Exposition.
FHSU freshmen and sophomore
teams are practicing to participate in
the NACTA competition in horse and
dairy judging. This is a tradition that
will continue so that the incoming
freshmen feel part of the team and
keep their interest up until it is their
time to join the senior team.
contest at Wooster, OH in April. They
are gaining momentum and hope to add
new members to the team this spring
semester.
2008-2009 Crops
Judging Team (L
to R): Dr. Bob
Stephenson, Coach;
Craig Dinkel
(Palco); Steve
Leyerzapf (Abilene);
Mike Holton
(Tonganoxie),
Jordyn Herman
(Hill City), and
Andrie Baird
(Brewster).
2009 Livestock Judging Team -- Front Row (L to R): Kris Young (Caldwell),
Kelsey Bonifas (Blue Hill, NE), Jacob Wulfkuhle (Rossville), and Emily Griess
(Grand Island, NE). Back Row (L to R): Drew Buettner (Kearney, NE), Adam
Albers (Oakley), Kirk Nielsen (Minden, NE), Avery Thalheim (Long Island), Nick
Henning (Ness City), Paul Case (Cheyenne, WY), and Mr. Buddy Curry, Coach.
Kansas State FairEach year, FHSU manages the
milking parlor at the Kansas State Fair
in Hutchinson. Stephanie Eckroat
coordinates the effort with the
assistance of Shelly Vandiver and
various FHSU Dairy employees.
Wendy Dague (left) with Stephanie
Eckroat relax after presenting a
milking demonstration at the 2008
Kansas State Fair.
Student News Page 5Winter 2008
Agronomy Club -- Dr. Bob Stephenson
2008-2009 Agronomy Club Officers (L to R): Drew Hubbell (Spearville), Presi-
dent; Andrie Baird (Brewster), Secretary; Dr. Bob Stephenson, Advisor; Bryce Allen
(Argonia), Treasurer; and Lane Bruce (Argonia), Vice-President.
During spring 2008 the club took a trip
to South Dakota to visit several
producers who have been no-till farming
for over two decades. There were 10
students who attended the no-till
conference in Salina in January. Several
members attended the Husker Harvest
Days in fall, sponsored a booth at
Oktoberfest where they sold food to raise
funds, worked with DTA in their annual
Adopt-A-Highway, rang the bell for the
Salvation Army and helped with Toys for
Tots. In spring the club will assist with
the annual Big Creek cleanup.
The students also held social events
including: bowling (both fall and spring),
a Christmas dinner/social with DTA, a
spring golfing fun night at Precision
Valley golf, and a spring cookout.
Conferencefrom page 1
To put things in perspective Hay
pointed out that we would need to
harvest the entire corn stover residue in
Thomas and Sheridan counties to
operate one cellulosic ethanol plant. The
likelihood of that happening is pretty
small, since not every farmer would want
to contract every acre to cellulosic
ethanol production. You would then need
to look at the surrounding counties for
additional residue. Even then it would be
difficult to get enough contracted acres.
Harvesting the cobs with the grain is
being done now in some parts of
Nebraska which has the least agronomic
risk to land deterioration but cobs yield
only about one half ton of residue per
acre.
Hay concluded that if cellulosic
ethanol production were to come about in
the near future it will most likely be in
small or existing refineries which can
process mixed feed stocks. Additionally
plants may need to have regional
collection and processing of the biomass
which would then be shipped to a larger
ethanol facility. They will most likely
need the support of government
subsidies. Right now the economics do
not justify taking land out of grain
production to plant switch grass for
ethanol. Switch grass could however be
grown on marginal land. Presently there
are no standards set that would dictate
what the quality and conditions of the
residue would need to be upon delivery to
an ethanol plant. Finally, there is a
possibility that plants will start to use
distiller’s grain, a byproduct of corn
ethanol production, for feedstock for
cellulosic ethanol.
Krista Gordan, area Wind Project
Manager for Iberdrola Renewables
Energies USA, a North American
subdivision of a Madrid-based
corporation based in Portland, OR,
talked about wind energy production in
Kansas. Ms. Gordan said her company
presently has seven wind projects in
operation or under construction in
Kansas.
Farmers and communities can both
benefit from having a wind project.
Revenue will be generated during the
construction phase which includes
concrete (nearly 400 yards per tower),
rebar, aggregate, road building
evacuation, trenching, electrical work,
and general construction labor. After
the tower is in place there would be an
additional annual rent income to the
land owner.
Gordan said that most generators
weigh nearly 70 tons and are 250 feet
in the air. Presently no generators are
being manufactured in Kansas.
Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, South
Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and some
eastern states do manufacture the
wind turbines. It is hoped that by 2020
nearly 20% of our electrical energy
needs can be produced from wind
energy.
Andy Gottschalk, of R.J. O’Brian
and Associates and HedgersEdge.com,
LLC, Greenwood Village, CO,
presented his “Outlook for Grain.” He
pointed out that the rapid increase in
corn use for ethanol production since
the beginning of the century is the
primary factor accelerating world
demand for corn.
Gottschalk reminded the group that
we are at the tightest world corn ending
stocks we’ve ever seen. World demand for
grain, for food, feed and fuel will
maintain grain prices at a higher plateau
than during prior periods. There is little
relief in sight. This will serve to limit
livestock herd expansion and may
ultimately shrink the domestic livestock
herd. Any problems during the growing
season could propel corn prices
substantially higher. Long term price
support exists at $3.50 for corn with
resistance at $5.25, and for wheat expect
to find support at $5.00 with upside
resistance at $7.00. Soybeans would be
looking at a pricing range from $7.75-
$11.50.
On the “Cattle Outlook”, the feeder
supply is still outside of feedlots as
forage has been adequate to hold cattle
out of placement into the feedlots.
Gottschalk said to expect dressed
weights to be at record highs as grain
prices remain high, because generally
speaking gain will still be cheaper than
replacements. It might pay producers to
background calves since calves appear to
be under priced compared to yearlings. A
final note was that the value of the dollar
has very little effect on the amount of
exports or imports of agriculture
products.
Alan D Barkema, Senior Vice-
President, Federal Reserve Bank of
—see Conference - page 7
Student News Page 6Winter 2008
Block & Bridle Club -- Ms. Wendy Dague
2008-2009 Block & Bridle Club Officers (L to R): Dr. Brittany Howell, Co-
Advisor; Emily Griess (Grand Island, NE), President; Bridget Brown, (Hays), Trea-
surer; Jason Smelser (Oskaloosa), Vice-President; Wendy Dague (Washington),
Secretary; and Mr. Buddy Curry, Co-Advisor.
The 2007-2008 school year was full
of activity again for the FHSU Block
and Bridle Club. The 2007-2008
officers were Danielle Dinkel (Palco),
President; Mallory Saathoff (Naponee,
NE), Vice President; Jamey Parker
(Downs), Secretary; and Molly Fletchall
(Beloit), Treasurer.
The year’s activities included serving
food for the annual FHSU Back to
School Picnic, participating in the
Endowment Association Phonathon,
hosting the Northwest District FFA
Dairy and Livestock Judging Contests,
and providing demonstrations and
information for children at Ag
Awareness Day. We also had fun
creating a float for the Homecoming
parade, and won the FHSU President’s
Award and $150! Block and Bridle also
hosted the campus wide Little
International Fitting and Showing
Contest in the spring.
The BIGGEST event of the year was
hosting the 88th National Block and
Bridle Convention in Kansas City with
Kansas State University’s Block and
Bridle Club. This had been a three year
long effort of planning and fundraising
to make the event possible.
Fifteen club members, along with
club co-advisor Dr. Brittany Howell met
the members of the Kansas State B &
B Club to begin the fun. FHSU
President Edward Hammond gave a
wonderful opening welcome to the
schools from across the country. The
keynote speaker was retired General
Richard B. Myers, 15th Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff. Friday was tour
day: showing off Kansas animal and food
industry locations such as Rottinghaus
Holsteins, Judd Ranch, Mashed O
Ranch, Mill Brae Ranch, Hill’s Pet
Nutrition Center, Sysco, Handke Farms
Feedlot, Peeper Ranch, Triumph Foods,
and Kansas City Steak Company. The
next day Dr. Jerry Jaax (KSU Vet
School) spoke about bioterrorism in
agriculture, and Mr. Charlie Arnot (CMA
Consulting) spoke about why consumers
don’t understand and don’t trust what we
tell them about agriculture. Then a panel
of experts representing beef, dairy,
swine, horse and small animals
focused on current issues in animal
science. The panelists included Mr.
Larry Dreiling, Dr. Rick Tanner, Dr.
John Sticka, Dr. Mike Tokach and
Mr. Bruce Brinkmeyer. Attendees
then got the afternoon to spend at
the American Royal and then buses
took them to a dinner and dance at
the Angus Hall of Fame in
Smithville, MO compliments of Mr.
Tom Burke.
The club members worked
extremely hard to make it a very
successful convention and they had a
lot of fun too! There were over 400
participants from 37 schools in
attendance.
Delta Tau Alpha - Agriculture Honor Society -- Dr. Jean GleichsnerOver the past year, Delta Tau Alpha
(DTA) has been very active both on- and
off-campus. The chapter participated in
a variety of activities including: the
Adopt-A-Highway Program, Agriculture
Freshmen Recruiting, Christmas Tree
Angel Program, and Homecoming
2008-2009 DTA Club Officers (L to R): Mallory Saathoff (Naponee, NE), Presi-
dent; Marci Stone (Garden City), Treasurer; Brodie Williams (Wallace), Vice-
President; Jordyn Herman (Hill City), Secretary; and Dr. Jean Gleichsner, Advisor.
Banner Contest. The club again spon-
sored a pitch tournament (fall and
spring) and the Ag Quiz Bowl. The club
hosted a joint Christmas Party with the
Agronomy Club.
Last spring the chapter held the 15th
annual Ag Quiz Bowl. Participating
teams tested their knowledge in the
areas of agribusiness/economics,
agronomy/horticulture, animal science,
and general agriculture knowledge. The
team of Michael Dietz (Ogallah),
Jordyn Herman (Hill City), and Steve
Leyerzapf (Abilene) was victorious.
The DTA chapter hosted the 49th
National DTA Convention on the
FHSU campus. Activities included
geocaching, agricultural tours and Ag
Quiz Bowl. The banquet speaker was
Dr. Gary Hulett, Professor Emeritus of
Biology at FHSU, who spoke about his
climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, the
highest mountain in Africa.
Next year’s convention is at Missouri
State University in Springfield and
marks the 50th
anniversary of DTA. It
will be a very special event.
Dr. Jean Gleichsner continues to
serve as National Advisor. She has
served as National Advisor since spring
2003.
Student News Page 7Winter 2008
Rodeo Club -- Dr. Garry BrowerThe 2008-2009 women’s team is
currently in fourth place with Jamie
Elwood (Oberlin) 2nd in breakaway roping
and 3rd in barrel racing. The fall schedule
included Colby, Pratt and Alva with
Northwestern Oklahoma State
University, Panhandle State University
and Southwestern Oklahoma State
University in the first three positions in
the women’s team competition and
Panhandle, Southeastern and
Northwestern leading the men’s team
competition.
A long time goal has been
accomplished by Dr. Edward Hammond
funding two positions for the rodeo team.
As a result, we have hired Bronc
Rumford as the coach and Ross Russell
as the assistant coach. I would encourage
every rodeo alumni to send Dr.
Hammond a note of thanks for his
generosity and support during times of
budgetary tightening. In addition to the
positions, Dr. Hammond has made a
commitment to enhancing the image of
the team; therefore, at the spring rodeos
you will see new team shirts and coats.
The spring rodeo dates have not been
finalized; however, the schedule includes
Kansas State University, Garden City
Community College, Fort Scott Community
College, Panhandle State University,
Southwestern Oklahoma State University,
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and
Rogers State University.
The 2008-2009 Team includes:
Saddle Bronc Riders: Shane Harmon
(Hill City) and Garret Ludwig (Sterling).
Calf Ropers: Quentin Hall (Brewster,
NE) and Ty Rumford (Abbeyville).
Steer Wrestlers: Cody Pratt (Monte
Vista, CO) and Ty Rumford.
Goat Tyer: Jenna Rolland (Hays).
Breakaway Ropers: Jenna Rolland,
Nicki Brobst (Phillipsburg), Jamie
Elwood, Katie Reimler (Manhattan),
and Brodie Williams (Wallace).
Team Ropers: Matt Becker
(Mankato), Jamie Elwood, Quentin
Hall, Garret Ludwig, and Cody Pratt.
Bull Rider: Cody Kiser (Augusta).
Barrel Racers: Jamie Elwood,
Courtney Miley (Abilene), Katie
Reimler, and Cecilia Reiter (Jewell).
If you have recruits or questions
contact Bronc [Cell: 620-694-0380,
Office: (785) 628-4689, Email:
[email protected]], Ross Russell
[Cell: (308) 830-1425, Office: (785) 628-
4689, Email: [email protected]] or
Garry Brower [Cell: (785) 770-2852,
Office (785) 628-4366, Email:
Kansas City, MO, shared his thoughts
on the present U.S economy. He said our
economy has been doing a tail spin over
the last year. Much of this started with
the housing markets. Creditors became
too liberal with their lending. People got
into mortgages that they could not
afford. This in turn caused problems for
Conferencefrom page 5
some of the larger lenders and now they
are reluctant to lend at all. New home
building hasn’t been this low since 1991.
Fuel prices rising, high unemployment, a
mistrust of banks and big corporations,
and a great amount of uncertainty about
the economy have all led to a drastic
slow down in consumers spending.
The good news is the Heartland of
America including Kansas is surviving
the crisis fairly well. The employment
rate is growing, the housing market has
been picking up with home prices
dropping only slightly. The oil boom has
been a great relief for many land owners
and farmers. Farm incomes have been up
over the past few years. Barkema
reminded us that the economic crisis
going on around us will get better with
time.
It was a great conference and plans
have started on next year’s conference.
This year the Agribusiness Club has
expanded its opportunities to members
of the Agriculture Department.
Currently the Agribusiness Club has 27
active members. This year the club is
now doing more to bring agricultural
experiences and careers to its members.
In the spring of 2008, the club took a
tour of agricultural based businesses in
Nebraska. The club visited with
potential employers and other
successful agricultural companies. The
Agribusiness Club spent four days in
Nebraska touring some interesting
companies. The tour included Ag West
Commodities, Case-New Holland
Combine Plant, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Meat
Animal Research Center, Abengoa
Bioenergy Ethanol plant, Prairieland
Dairy, Oxbow Hay Company, Farm
Credit Services of America, Rain and
Hail LLC, MBA Poultry (Smart
Chicken), ExMark Manufacturing, and
Pet Supply. Our club was able to talk to
potential employers and gain more
resources for the future. We were able to
see many fascinating things, and learn
2008-2009 Agribusiness
Club Officers (L to R):
Brian Younker (Jetmore),
President; Blaine Walt
(Collyer), Vice-President;
Tyler Algrim (Dodge
City), Treasurer; and
Molly Fletchall (Beloit),
Secretary. Not pictured:
Mr. Mick Glaze and Dr.
Andrew Novotorov, Co-
Advisors.
valuable information. This year we plan
to go to eastern Kansas and northwest
Missouri.
The club is active in the community
through volunteer work in Hays. We
volunteer with Tigers in Service and
work to achieve our goal of 20 hours of
community service. This year a few
members donated blood for the
American Red Cross Blood Drive at
FHSU. The club has formed a team to
participate in the Up Till Dawn cancer
event. Each member of the team sent
out 50 letters to try to raise money that
Agribusiness Club -- Mr. Brian Younker
will be used in cancer research. In
February our team will stay up all night
and walk for cancer. Almost all of
members participated in the
Department of Agriculture’s Ag Outlook
Conference. We will also be helping the
community of Hays in many other ways
throughout the school year.
The members have discovered a way
to network amongst themselves through
learning about each other’s experiences.
Many Agribusiness Club members have
gained valuable knowledge through
internships and trips around the world.
Department News Page 8Winter 2008
From the College Dean -- Dr. Jeff BriggsThe College of Health
and Life Sciences
(CHLS), consisting of
the departments of
agriculture, allied
health, biological
sciences, health and
human performance,
communication
disorders, and nursing, is home to a
number of flourishing undergraduate and
graduate programs and multiple
research and service initiatives. Primary
campus goals this year center on
internationalizing the campus and
curricula, enhancing wellness
opportunities for the entire campus
community, and improving access and
retention of Hispanic students. In
addition, the university has focused on
increasing the quality and quantity of K-
12 teachers and improving the writing,
computational, and computing skills of
all FHSU students. The Department of
Agriculture plays a significant role in
many of the institutional initiatives and
continues to serve the educational needs
of students in our service area and
beyond. With strong academic programs,
excellent hands-on experience, service-
learning opportunities, and abundant
possibilities for student involvement and
leadership through professional
organizations, the department provides
an education that is second to none. In
addition to the traditional emphasis
areas, the new agricultural education
program will provide opportunities for
students to seek teaching licensure and
pursue careers in education that were not
available previously. This is a
meaningful addition to the department
that expands opportunities for student
career development.
What an exciting time to be part of
agriculture. This is an extraordinary
moment for the agricultural industry and
rural America. We are right at the center
of dramatic changes and challenges as
fuel and renewable energy are added to
the food, feed, and fiber industry. Fort
Hays State University has many
challenges ahead and we are ready to
work toward strengthening the academic
programs that provide the
entrepreneurial backbone of western
Kansas and the region. The goal of
academic programs in the CHLS is to
develop an advanced class of graduates
who can enter the workforce with highly
specialized skills that bridge the gap
between theory and practice. Through
meaningful educational experiences
provided by caring faculty, our graduates
develop technical expertise in their area
of specialization as well as skills in
communication, technology applications,
and an understanding of and sensitivity
to complex issues inherent in today’s
workplace. Through the continued
support of so many, we have been able to
provide a foundation for various
development activities which enable our
departments to continue to provide
cutting edge preparation in our
respective disciplines. Thank you for
your continued support of Fort Hays
State University.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
600 PARK STREET
HAYS, KS 67601-4099
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HAYS, KS
PERMIT NO. 4