Western
Kentucky
University
Western Kentucky
University
Department of Agriculture
Alumni,
Inside this issue:
Alumni
Welcome Dr. Thomas Kingery
1
South Dakota & Nebraska
Ecuador 2011
2
I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying this much cooler autumn weather. It has been
another busy year for the WKU Department of Agriculture. The University purchased the Bennett
farm this summer and turned it over to us. We had been farming the land but now we will have
additional housing and storage facilities. With this addition the farm is now over 800 acres.
Scotland 2011
Roger Dennis Honored
3
Dr. Anderson has been working with Facilities Management to bring the new stall barn to
completion. The outside is finished but there is still much work left to do on the inside.
Floral Design Training Center 4
Goldwater Scholarship
Turf Management
5
Welcome Dr. Fred DeGraves
WKU Vineyard
Leadership Bowling Green
6
Agronomy News
7
If you would like to receive
If
you
like to receive
receive
you would
wouldversion
aIf full-color
of the
aa full-color
version of the
full-color
newsletter by email?the
newsletter
newsletter by email,
email?
Please
send
your email
Please send
send your email
Please
email
Address
to
Address to
Address
www.agriculture@wku.edu
www.agriculture@wku.edu
agriculture@wku.edu
We have been building fence for most of the summer and replacing high tensile electric with woven
wire. We are trying to do a better job with our pasture management. We now have woven wire fences
all the way down Bennett Lane.
The spring storms brought down a large number of trees on the farm and took the roof off the
Taylor Center. Through the efforts of faculty, staff and students we have things cleaned up. We also
have a new roof on the Taylor Center.
We have renovated 75 acres of pasture, and through the efforts of Dr. Garry Lacefield we received a
generous seed donation. The renovation of the Taylor Center for cheese production should finally
begin in October. This has been a painfully slow process but hopefully we will be making cheese by
January.
We continue to improve our dairy facilities. This past year we moved from a bedded pack to concrete
alleyways and waterbeds. The level of cow comfort seems to be paying off in the milk tank. We have
Dr. Jenks Britt and Dr. Ken McGuffey to thank for getting the waterbeds donated and installed.
The widening of 31W in front of the farm has begun. It may take as long as a year for this project to
reach completion. The best part of this project is that we received funds to renovate the entire front
of the farm that runs along 31W. The new entrance is being designed by one of our own graduates,
Ms. Elinor Markle, a landscape architect here in Bowling Green.
Please come to our homecoming luncheon at the Ag Expo Center, October 22, 2011 at 12:00 noon.
Visit the farm, see old friends and make some new ones. ~ Jack L Rudolph, Jr.
Welcome Dr. Thomas Kingery
Visiting Assistant Professor of Agriculture Education
Dr. Kingery comes to WKU from Indiana where he farmed and taught high
school (Agri-science
. (Agri-science&&Business
Businessiningrades
grades7-12).
7-12) He
He grew
grew up
up on
on aa diversified
diversified
livestock and grain farm in central Indiana near Noblesville. His family farm
consisted of a three crop rotation of corn, soybeans, and wheat on one-thousand
acres as well as managing a one-hundred sow farrow to finish operation. The
family farm also boasted ten shorthorn cows where offspring were sold as
prospects and a flock of crossbred ewes were bred for terminal markets. He
completed his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Education from Purdue
University with a minor in Animal Production. He attained his graduate degrees
from Indiana Wesleyan, Texas A&M and Texas Tech Universities. His 17 years of experience in Agricultural Education in public schools
has allowed him to teach and coach numerous leadership and CDE teams from coast to coast. He is married to Becky, his bride of five
years, and has three wonderful children; Maddie 4, Ireland 2, and Liam 4 months.
Page 2
Department of Agriculture
Study Away - South Dakota and Nebraska
The Survey of US Agriculture class traveled to South Dakota and Nebraska in August of
2010. Highlights included a visit to the Haythorn Ranch, famous for breeding and
breaking Quarter Horses, a tour of an ethanol production facility, a tour of Profit Maker
Bulls, a visit to a 30,000 head feedlot for beef and an in-depth discussion and dinner at the
5 Trails Vineyard and Winery. These are just a few of the exciting educational activities
experienced by the group.
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated stop was at Booty Rub Farm. The owner of Booty
Rub raises peppers of many varieties on
approximately ¼ acre. He and his family
dry and mix the peppers in special
combinations as seasonings for meats of
Pictured above are Justin King, Alexandra Pennington all kinds. None of the peppers leave the
and Erik Brown, in front of the famous Mt. Rushmore
farm unless packaged as a seasoning mix.
In addition to agricultural tours, course participants get to stop at sites of historical and/
or cultural significance as well. On this trip, the class saw Mount Rushmore, the Crazy
Horse Monument that is still a work in progress, Custer State Park, Deadwood and Sturgis, South Dakota and other points of interest.
The Survey of US Agriculture class travels to a different destination each time that it is
taught with the express purpose of exposing participants to the great variety of
agricultural enterprises that exist in our nation. There is a course fee associated with the
class, which varies depending on travel costs and destinations.
Submitted by: Dr. Linda Gonzales
Pictured above is the entire group that traveled to South
Dakota and Nebraska in 2010, left to right are Chelsea
Williams, Tracy Coleman, Whitney Churchman, Dr.
Linda Gonzales, Clay Chase, LeAnn Stinson, Justin King,
Alexandra Pennington, Justin Tudor, Kyle Porter and
Erik Brown.
Study Abroad - Ecuador 2011
A group of students traveled to Ecuador during the winter session on an
agricultural study abroad experience. There were 18 students traveling along with
Dr. David Coffey, Dr. Melissa Stewart, Kristie Guffey and Dr. Rankin Skinner, a
dentist from Winchester, Kentucky.
The group left the winter cold of Kentucky for the warm, tropical conditions of
the south. They arrived in the capital of Ecuador and toured the museums, art,
architecture, churches, and the culture of Quito. The group met up with Dr.
Rankin Skinner in the city of Santo Domingo. There the students and leaders of
the group learned how to administer dental sealant on the teeth of children and
Working with
with Dr.
Dr. Skinner
Skinner and
and Partners
Partners of
of the Americas, it is the comadults. Working
combined
to improve
overall
health
teeth
in the
children
Ecuador.The
The
bined goalgoal
to improve
the the
overall
health
of of
teeth
in the
children
ofof
Ecuador.
group went to two orphanages, two schools, and a small coastal village to apply
the dental sealant and to give each one a toothbrush. The service learning project
was magnified by the overwhelming majority of students who are now donating money, time, and dental supplies to the next study
abroad trip that will be leaving on March 2, 2011.
The group continued to travel from the magnificent mountains and volcanoes of the Andes to the tropical region and the Pacific coast of
Ecuador. They traveled to bamboo, pineapple, cacao, beef cattle, palm oil, and hearts of palm farms; fishing villages; local markets; and
witnessed a local group of indigenous people in their native culture. The group wrapped up their experience by walking on the equator
and conducting exciting scientific experiments that proved they were in the middle of the world.
Pre-Pharmacy major, Lashelle Courtney wrapped up the trip with these words, “To see mountains that touch the clouds, to witness farms
and plantations of bamboo, bananas and palm oil, to be indulged into lifestyles that are new and different from our own, to touch
peoples´ lives and have them touch ours right back, the study abroad trip to Ecuador was the trip of a lifetime.”
Submitted by: Kristie Guffey
Department of Agriculture
Page 3
Study Abroad - Scotland 2011
Ten students accompanied Dr. Linda Brown Gonzales and Mr. Roger
Dennis on a study abroad trip to Scotland in May 2011. The group
focused on horticulture interests, visiting the Royal Botanic Garden of
Edinburgh, many castle grounds and Arran Island. They were privileged
to have a personal tour from the Head Greenskeeper at St. Andrews Golf
Courses. One very lucky student, Blake Upchurch, had the unique
opportunity to play the New Course! Students toured the Arran Island
cheese creamery, observing cheeses being dipped in the wax covering that
commonly contains cheese for shipment and sale. They visited Arran
Distillery to learn about the conversion of grains to scotch whiskey in
contrast to the Kentucky product, bourbon whiskey, and Arran
Aromatics, a company that formulates and creates perfumes, candles and
toiletry products.
In the city of Edinburgh, in the shadow of the stately and imposing
Edinburgh Castle, the group visited a Saturday morning Farmer’s
Market. Fresh produce and value-added products, mostly from the local
area, were available for purchase. Venison products were abundant since
red deer are farmed in Scotland, but also Angus burgers, Buffalo meat,
haggis and salmon were available. A popular candy was the Scottish
“tablet”.
Taken in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 15, 2011, just outside of the Edinburgh
Dungeon
Left to right
Roger Dennis, Arlee Danhauer, Jared Carrier, Heather Brantley,
Blake Upchurch, Loren Stinson, Chris Ferguson, Anna Stallings, Kyle Porter,
Whitney Churchman, Zach Vincent, Linda Brown Gonzales
Part of the experience of studying abroad is to be immersed in the
culture and history of the country. With that in mind, the group stayed in bed & breakfast lodgings most of the time, rode trains and
buses just like the locals do, and walked (a lot!) Historically important sites they visited include the famed Roslyn Chapel (featured in the
final scenes of the movie “The DaVinci Code”); the home of golf, St. Andrews Old Course; the home of Robert the Bruce, Stirling
Castle; and the William Wallace Monument, built at the site of a significant battle in the fight for Scottish freedom from the British.
Language and expressions are always interesting to observe in a culture that speaks the same basic language as we do but uses it in
different ways. See if any of these terms or expressions are familiar to you: way out, give way, a queque for the loo, chips, a lift, stance,
anything “wee”. (Answers: exit, yield, a line for the toilet, French fries, an elevator, the parking spot for the bus, and finally, just about
everything can be wee, as in “Could you keep a wee eye on the armor?” or “I’ll make a wee call for you.” Or “Its a wee walk - 20
minutes maybe.”)
The success of the course has led the Study Abroad Office to invite the scheduling of the class for summer 2012! Roger Dennis has
agreed to lead next year, with Gonzales serving as co-leader. Although dates and costs are to be announced, students interested in this
opportunity should proceed to apply for a passport (these are good for ten years from initial purchase and remain excellent identification
even after expiration) and should contact roger.dennis@wku.edu or linda.gonzales@wku.edu to express interest.
Submitted by: Linda Brown Gonzales
Roger Dennis Honored By SAF (Society of American Florists)
Roger Dennis was inducted into the Society of American Florists’ (SAF)
Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI), the floral industry’s
speakers bureau, and into the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) in
recognition of service to the floral industry and community.
PFCI applicants complete an extensive application that documents speaking
experience, leadership activities and professional references. Candidates also
submit an audition DVD of a live speaking engagement.
The AAF designation is a distinction recognized throughout the floral industry.
In order to meet the Academy’s high standards, an individual must demonstrate
commitment and service both within the floral industry and to his or her local
community.
- WKU News
Page 4
Page 4
Department of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
WKU Floral Design and Training Center
WKU Floral Design and Training Center
The Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the opening of the
of Agriculture
is pleased
to announce
the514
opening
of the
The Department
Floral
Design Training
Center and
Floral Shop
located at
Regents
Floral
Design
Training
Center
and
Floral
Shop
located
at
514
Regents
Avenue behind Gary A. Ransdell Hall.
Avenue behind Gary A. Ransdell Hall.
The purpose of the Training Center is to create a training facility for
students
interested
careers Center
in floralisdesign,
interior
design,
and for
hotel
The purpose
of thein
Training
to create
a training
facility
restaurantinterested
management
as wellinasfloral
floraldesign,
shop management.
using
students
in careers
interior design,Courses
and hotel
the
facility management
are Introduction
to Floral
Design,
Advanced Floral
Design
and
restaurant
as well
as floral
shop management.
Courses
using
Floral Shop
Management
Wedding
Design withtothe
addition
of a Advanced
the facilityFloral
are Introduction
Floral
Design,
Floral
Design and
course being
offered
in the
campus
will
Shop workshops
Management
Wedding
Floral
Design
withnear
the future.
additionExtended
of a Floral
be
conducted
offeringinathe
certificate
to florists
that are
interested
in a will
course
being offered
near future.
Extended
campus
workshops
advancing
theiroffering
design askills.
The workroom
lab space
be conducted
certificate
to florists and
that classroom
are interested
in a is
separate
from
Floralskills.
ShopThe
showroom
andand
sales
area. Viewable
advancing
theirthe
design
workroom
classroom
lab space is
workroom
areas
theShop
customers
to seeand
thesales
expertise
in creating a
separate from
theallow
Floral
showroom
area. Viewable
used bya
design
and areas
the talent
into a design.
Theexpertise
lab space
workroom
allowthat
thegoes
customers
to see the
in iscreating
courses.
These
a setbylab
students
enrolled
in floral
design
design
and
the talent
that goes
into
a design.
Thestudents
lab spacehave
is used
time to go
to the shop
to create
floral design.
student's
are
TheseThe
students
havedesigns
a set lab
students
enrolled
in floral
designacourses.
evaluated
instructor
the finished
product
is featured
as are
a special that is sold in the Floral Shop.
time to goby
to the
the lab
shop
to createand
a floral
design. The
student's
designs
The
Floralby
Shop
is a instructor
full serviceand
floral
located
on the
campus of
offering
evaluated
the lab
theshop
finished
product
is featured
as Western
a special Kentucky
that is soldUniversity
in the Floral
Shop.service to the campus and
including
weddingUniversity
and funeral
work. service
In addition,
the
Green
We offer
a full
range
of products
services,
TheBowling
Floral Shop
is aarea.
full service
floral
shop
located
on the and
campus
of Western
Kentucky
offering
to thedelivery
campusand
and
service isGreen
available.
inventory
cut and
botanicals
as well and
as a funeral
line of gift
items
suitable for
both the
wireBowling
wedding
work.
In addition,
delivery
and
the
area.Our
We offer
a fullincludes
range offresh
products
andpermanent
services, including
campus
and is
local
community.
Also available
are fresh
greencut
plants
by students
in greenhouse
courses.
service
available.
Our inventory
includes
and grown
permanent
botanicals
as well as a production
line of gift items
suitable for both the
wire
campus and local community. Also available are green plants grown by students in greenhouse production courses.
Floral Design Training Center and Floral Shop Staff
Director
- Roger
DennisCenter
AIFD,and
CFD,
AAF,
PFCI,
Floral Design
Training
Floral
Shop
StaffKMF
Floral
Designer
Larry Kramer
CFD PFCI, KMF
Director
- Roger–Dennis
AIFD, AIFD,
CFD, AAF,
– Debbie
Gabbard
Floral Shop
Coordinator
Designer
– Larry Kramer
AIFD,
CFD
Floral Shop Coordinator – Debbie Gabbard
For additional information, call (270) 745-3382 or check the website at www.wku.edu/floralshop
For additional information, call (270) 745-3382 or check the website at www.wku.edu/floralshop
Agriculture Student is Runner-Up in Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship
Agriculture Student is Runner-Up in Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship
WKU students have been recognized by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and
Excellence
in Education
Since
more
fromScholarship
WKU haveand
been
WKU students
have beenProgram.
recognized
by 2007,
the Barry
M.students
Goldwater
recognized in
byEducation
the Goldwater
program
than
from
anystudents
other college
university
in
Program.
Since
2007,
more
from or
WKU
have been
Excellence
Kentucky.
recognized by the Goldwater program than from any other college or university in
Kentucky.
Clarice Esch, the daughter of Carol and Joseph Esch of Somerset, has been
researching
methods
to utilize
to reduce
need
nitrogen-based
Clarice Esch,
the daughter
Clarice
Esch,
oflichens
Carol and
Josephthe
Esch
of for
Somerset,
has been
fertilizers.
plans to utilize
pursuelichens
a Ph.D.toafter
she the
completes
undergraduate
researchingShe
methods
reduce
need forher
nitrogen-based
to Esch,
her research
has shaped
her thinking
on her future.
career.
According
fertilizers.
She plans
to pursue
a Ph.D. after
she completes
her undergraduate
“Through
this project,”
sheher
said,
“I discovered
a passion
for conducting
career.
According
to Esch,
research
has shaped
her thinking
on her future.
research and
to continue
research
throughout
the rest of my
“Through
thisintend
project,”
she said,conducting
“I discovered
a passion
for conducting
college career
and beyond.”
and intend
to continue conducting research throughout the rest of my
research
college career and beyond.”
Martin Stone, Leichhardt Professor of Horticulture said that Esch is the most
promising student that he has worked with in his career as aMartin
researcher.
work ethic,
attention
to detail, andsaid
ability
grasp
the most
Professor
of Horticulture
that to
Esch
is the
Stone,“Her
Leichhardt
concepts
our joint
over thewith
pastintwo
has
impressive.
beyond
intellectual
abilities,
is unassuming
promisingofstudent
thatresearch
he has worked
hisyears
career
asbeen
a researcher.
“HerBut
work
ethic,her
attention
to detail,
and she
ability
to grasp theand a
genuinelyof
nice
to knowover
in both
theimpressive.
greenhouse,”But
hebeyond
said. “Students
like Clarice
come
along
infrequently
in a
concepts
ourperson
joint research
the the
pastclassroom
two years and
has in
been
her intellectual
abilities,
she
is unassuming
and
the career nice
of a person
faculty member
I amthe
fortunate
to have
worked
with her.” he said. “Students like Clarice come along infrequently in
genuinely
to know and
in both
classroom
and in
the greenhouse,”
career
of a faculty member and I am fortunate to have worked with her.”
-the
WKU
News
- WKU News
Department of Agriculture
Page 5
Turfgrass Management
Dear Alumni,
It has been another successful year for our turf management
students. Currently, Joshua Blaker is in Scotland completing an
internship at St. Andrews Golf Club. Also, Josh had the
opportunity to work the Masters Championship at Augusta
National this past spring. He was in charge of Hole #13. This
fall, four of our students spent a week in Augusta assisting in
over-seeding the course in preparation for next year’s Masters
Tournament. Our students have been very successful in
obtaining quality summer internships this summer as well. WKU
turf students are working at Valhalla, Victoria National, Idle
Hour, UK Athletics, and Ole Stone, just to name a few. As
mentioned, we have a student in Scotland, as well as students in
Boston, MA and Denver, CO. Each year, our students are
obtaining more prestigious internships. I am extremely excited
about these opportunities and proud of our students.
Joshua Blaker—St Andrews
Golf Club in Scotland
Continuing with the student theme, Jake Suttle and Josh Blaker received scholarships from the Kentucky Turfgrass Council and Jake was
the recipient of the Outstanding Turfgrass Student Award here at WKU. Jake is currently working for a sports field construction
company out of Nashville, TN. Including myself, six WKU ‘Turfies’ worked the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla this spring. As
always, it rained and flooded, but not near to the extent as in 2003. We did have some storm damage to 18 green due to an overturned
media tent. WKU was well represented at this prestigious event, and was the only University that had students working the event. This
past February, nine turfgrass students attended the GCSAA Conference in Orlando, FL.
I would like to mentioned that my graduate student, Chelsea Williams, did complete her M.S. degree this spring and is going to be
teaching Agriculture classes at Owensboro Community College. I am very happy for her and wish her well in her new career. Finally, I
will close by congratulating our technician, Joey Reynolds, for completing his M.S. degree as well this spring. As always, I hope to see you
this fall.
Sincerely,
Paul Woosley
Associate Professor
Welcome Dr. Fred DeGraves - Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Dr. DeGraves grew up in Michigan, where the family raised crops, beef cattle, and Christmas trees.
While living in Michigan, he attended Michigan State University, receiving a B.S. degree in
Microbiology and Public Health in 1974 and a D.V.M degree in 1983. Dr. DeGraves then moved to
Wisconsin after taking employment with Dairyland Animal Health Inc., Weyauwega, WI. Dairyland
Animal Health, Inc., a predominately dairy mixed animal veterinary practice that has played a leading
role in the early implementation of novel dairy production medicine programs. During his stay in
Wisconsin, Dr. DeGraves devoted considerable time dealing with issues involving bovine
reproduction and developed expertise in bovine mastitis and milk quality as an area of specialization
within the practice. This interest then led to North Carolina State University, where he received a
Ph.D. degree that was focused on mastitis and milk quality, in 1991. While doing his graduate work,
Dr. DeGraves met and married Barbara Davison, while she was working at the College of
Veterinary Medicine as a medical illustrator.
Graduate work was followed by a 12 year stint as faculty at the Auburn University College of
Veterinary Medicine, where Dr. DeGraves worked as a food animal clinician/scientist specializing in
dairy medicine. Their son and daughter (Jayson and Gina) were born while living in Auburn,
Alabama. Dr. DeGraves then joined the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of
Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 2003, where he focused on dairy medicine and veterinary public
health. The DeGraves family recently moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Dr. DeGraves is now a faculty member in the Department
of Agriculture, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, Western Kentucky University, where his expertise in dairy production and
veterinary medicine is being put to good use.
P
Daegpea r6t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e
Turfgrass Management
Page 5
WKU Vineyard News
Dear Alumni,
The past year has been a busy and productive one for the
Viticulture program. Spring semester 2011 represented our
It has been another successful year for our turf management
(Mr. Roger Dennis and I) second offering of our Introduction to
students. Currently, Joshua Blaker is in Scotland completing an
Viticulture class; 16 undergraduates and 3 graduate students
internship at St. Andrews Golf Club. Also, Josh had the
completed the class this past May. We offered Advanced
opportunity to work the Masters Championship at Augusta
Viticulture class for the first time this Fall 2011 semester.
National this past spring. He was in charge of Hole #13. This
fall, four of our students spent a week in Augusta assisting in
We’re excited to have several new members on our Viticulture
over-seeding the course in preparation for next year’s Masters
team. Nathan Howell (B.S., 2000) was employed as our
Tournament. Our students have been very successful in
Viticulture Technician in March 2011; Kellee Montgomery (B.S.,
obtaining quality summer internships this summer as well. WKU
2010) and Blake Layne (B.A., 2005) are pursuing a Master of
turf students are working at Valhalla, Victoria National, Idle
Science degrees in Agriculture with emphases upon Viticulture
Hour, UK Athletics, and Ole Stone, just to name a few. As
and Enology, respectively and Camille Hayden (B.S., 2012) was
mentioned, we have a student in Scotland, as well as students in
our Undergraduate Assistant during Summer 2011 vineyard
Boston, MA and Denver, CO. Each year, our students are
activities.
obtaining more prestigious internships. I am extremely excited
2011 vineyard activities began with dormant pruning in March
about these opportunities and proud of our students.
Introduction to Viticulture class practicing their
and April; the vineyards were utilized at this time to train
Continuing with the student
theme, Jake
Suttle and Josh Blaker receivedstudents
scholarships
frominthe
Kentucky Turfgrass
Council
Jake was
shoot thinning
technique.
enrolled
Introduction
to Viticulture
classand
in pruning
the recipient of the Outstanding Turfgrass Student Award here at WKU.and
Jake
is
currently
working
for
a
sports
field
construction
shoot thinning techniques. April was also the initiation of
companyM.S.
out thesis
of Nashville,
myself, six
WKU Litter
‘Turfies’
workedRate
the on
Senior
PGA
Championship
at Valhalla
this spring.
As
Kellee’s
project TN.
whichIncluding
is titled ‘Influence
of Broiler
Application
Growth
Parameters,
Fruit Yield
and Chemistry,
and Sensory
always, it rained
and flooded,
but not
near to May
the extent
as insaw
2003.
We didweather
have some
storm damage
18 greenwindstorm
due to an overturned
Evaluation
of two French
Hybrid Grape
Cultivars’.
and June
turbulent
in Bowling
Green; atolate-May
and
media tent.hailstorm
WKU was
well represented
this prestigious
event,
and
was theWe
only
University
that had
studentsonworking
event. This
early-June
damaged
our vines’ at
shoots
and immature
fruit
clusters.
planted
our newest
vineyard
June 7, the
we were
past
February,
nine
turfgrass
students
attended
the
GCSAA
Conference
in
Orlando,
FL.
fortunate that the young plants avoided the June 5 hailstorm! Our new vineyard consists of 75 ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, 50 ‘Malbec’, 50
of which
are varietals
of European
origin which
will be utilized
fordegree
wine production
whenis mature
‘Syrah’,
I wouldand
like 25
to ‘Tannat’mentionedallthat
my graduate
student,
Chelsea Williams,
did complete
her M.S.
this spring and
going toinbe2014.
teaching
Agriculture
classes
at
Owensboro
Community
College.
I
am
very
happy
for
her
and
wish
her
well
in
her
new
career.
Finally, I
We encourage you to stop by the vineyards for a visit, they are located on both sides of the front greenhouse near the L.D.
B
rown
Brown
will
close
by
congratulating
our
technician,
Joey
Reynolds,
for
completing
his
M.S.
degree
as
well
this
spring.
As
always,
I
hope
to see you
Agriculture Exposition Center.
this fall.
Submitted by: Dr. Todd Willian
Sincerely,
Paul Woosley
Leadership
Bowling Green Program Visits WKU Farm
Associate Professor
The Leadership Bowling Green program visited the WKU farm on May 18, 2011. This particular day was dedicated to Agri-Business.
The 30 member group was given a comprehensive tour of the various farm operations with lunch provided by the Warren County
Cattleman’s Association. Some of the highlights included a stop at the dairy where Jeremy Waddell gave an overview of the ope
ration,
operation,
(and an opportunity to pet the new calves!), a brief tour of the new vegetable production facility where Travis and Tracy Coleman shared
knowledge
of integrating
high tunnel
greenhouses
in the
community
gardening
programtrees.
and a stop at the vineyard at which Nathan
theirDeGraves
Dr.
grew
up in Michigan,
where the
family raised
crops,
beef cattle,
and Christmas
Howell
introduced
the participants
some of the
research
beingreceiving
conducted
as part
of the
While
living
in Michigan,
he attendedtoMichigan
State
University,
a B.S.
degree
in new viticulture program.
Microbiology
andwas
Public
1974 and
D.V.M degree
in 1983.
Dr. DeGraves
then moved
The annual visit
onceHealth
again in
a success
in ashowcasing
the farm
not only
as a production
facility,to
but also with a major function as a
Wisconsin after taking employment with Dairyland Animal Health Inc., Weyauwega, WI. Dairyland
research complex and serving as a location for development of the newest undertakings in modern agriculture.
Animal Health, Inc., a predominately dairy mixed animal veterinary practice that has played a leading
Submitted
by : Tim
Jones
role
in the early
implementation
of novel dairy production medicine programs. During his stay in
Wisconsin, Dr. DeGraves devoted considerable time dealing with issues involving bovine
reproduction and developed expertise in bovine mastitis and milk quality as an area of specialization
within the practice. This interest then led to North Carolina State University, where he received a
Ph.D. degree that was focused on mastitis and milk quality, in 1991. While doing his graduate work,
Dr. DeGraves met and married Barbara Davison, while she was working at the College of
Veterinary Medicine as a medical illustrator.
Welcome Dr. Fred DeGraves - Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Graduate work was followed by a 12 year stint as faculty at the Auburn University College of
Veterinary Medicine, where Dr. DeGraves worked as a food animal clinician/scientist specializing in
dairy medicine. Their son and daughter (Jayson and Gina) were born while living in Auburn,
Alabama. Dr. DeGraves then joined the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of
Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 2003, where he focused on dairy medicine and veterinary public
health. The DeGraves family recently moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Dr. DeGraves is now a faculty member in the Department
of Agriculture, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, Western Kentucky University, where his expertise in dairy production and
veterinary medicine is being put to good use.
Department of Agriculture
Page 7
Agronomy News
Student News
Buck Hulsey, Coty Johnson, Phillip Rogers, Anna Stallings, Josh Timbers, Marie Weldon and Phillip Wheet were involved in the 2010
Southern Regional Soil Judging Competition, which was hosted by The University Georgia - Athens. Darwin Newton and Becky
Gilfillen went with the group as coaches. The students placed 11th in the contest at UGA. Buck Hulsey, Phillip Rogers, Anna Stallings,
Josh Timbers, Marie Weldon and Phillip Wheet competed in the NACTA Contest hosted by Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA in
April 2011. It was a good trip to see all different kinds of soils in California and also the Agriculture Industries that exist there.
Fortunately, one day we did get to see Yosemite National Park which was just amazing.
During the November Kentucky of Academy Sciences Meeting, Marie Weldon placed 2nd in the Undergraduate Poster Contest and
Gary Cundiff placed 2nd in the Graduate Student Presentations. Way to go Marie and Gary!
Kaylissa Horton was the Outstanding Senior Agronomy Plant Science Student this year. She graduated in December and is working on
a Master’s Degree in Agronomy at Purdue University.
Buck Hulsey was the Outstanding Senior Agronomy Soil Science student this year. He graduated in May and is working with the USDA
-NRCS currently. We wish both Kaylissa and Buck the best in their futures.
The Soil Management and Conservation Class along with the Agronomy Club had a field trip to Roundstone Native Seed Company in
November which is located in Upton, KY. In the spring, the Soil Fertility Class and the Agronomy Club had a field trip to Crop
Protection Services and Waters Agricultural Laboratory in Owensboro. We appreciate all of the support from our local Agricultural
Industries.
Gary Cundiff and Bill Penick are second year M.S. Agronomy Graduate Students in the Department. Gary’s project is using mycorrhizae
in tomato and snap bean production and is working with Dr. Becky Gilfillen and Dr. Annesly Netthisinghe. Bill’s research is looking
into using a no-till tobacco transplanter in various crop residues and is working with Dr. Todd Willian. Chris Ferguson has started his
M.S. studies this spring working with Dr. Gray.
Research
The Agronomy Faculty continues to focus on research in the area of Waste Management in cooperation with the USDA-ARS unit
located at the WKU Farm. We have added two new studies this summer. One study looks at microbial survival in soil and fescue after
poultry litter, dairy manure or inorganic fertilizer applications. Information about soil nutrient accumulation and fescue yields will also
nder a
be determined in order to collaborate information between the study. Our second new project looks at nutrient accumulation uunder
feedlot setting. In addition to soil samples, greenhouse gas samples are also being collected. The hopes of this project are to see where
the excess nutrients from the field lot are accumulating and being released. Research projects include the use of poultry litter and dairy
manure as a fertilizer source to grow field and forage crops. Dr. Annesly Netthisinghe made presentations at the American Society of
Agronomy Meetings in Long Beach, CA and at the Southern American Society of Agronomy Meetings in Corpus Christi, TX. Dr.
Becky Gilfillen made a presentation at the Southern American Society of Agronomy Meetings in Corpus Christi, TX. She has served as
Vice-President/Program Chair this past year and will be President this coming year.
In Agronomy Research this summer – we are assisted in our efforts by undergraduate student Patrick Scott and graduate students Bill
Penick and Gary Cundiff . Buck Hulsey and Marie Weldon were undergraduate student lab workers this past year.
Submitted by: Becky Gilfillen, Todd Willian and Elmer Gray
Please visit our new website:
http://www.wku.edu/agriculture
If you would like to see something added, let us know.
Call: 270-745-3151
DepartmentofofAgriculture
Agriculture
Department
U.S. POSTAGE
WesternKentucky
KentuckyUniversity
University
Western
1906College
CollegeHeights
HeightsBlvd
Blvd#41066
#41066
1906
BowlingGreen,
Green,KY
KY42101-1066
42101-1066
Bowling
Address
Service
Requested
Address
Service
Requested
We are on the web:
We are on the web:
http://www.wku.edu/agriculture
http://www.wku.edu/agriculture
ANNUAL
ALUMNI
ANNUAL
ALUMNI
HOMECOMING
HOMECOMING
LUNCHEON
LUNCHEON
Saturday, October
October 22,
2011
Saturday,
22,
2011
at
12:00
p.m.
at 12:00 p.m.
AG
AGEXPO
EXPOCENTER
CENTER
Pleasecall
call 745-3151
745-3151 toto
RSVP
Please
RSVP
Tickets $15.00
Tickets
$15.00
©2011 Western Kentucky University. Printing paid from state funds, KRS 57.375
PAID
PERMIT NO. 398
BOWLING GREEN, KY
42101