Department of
Agriculture
2010 Newsletter
Alumni Welcome:
Inside this issue:
Alumni Welcome
1
Staff Excellence Award
1
Did Someone Say Cheese
2
2009 Homecoming
Precision Grill & Drill Team
2
40 Years with Dr. Gordon
3
Dr Britt Transitions to Part
3
ASSET 2010
4
Study Abroad - Ecuador 2010
4
Agricultural Ambassadors
5
Block & Bridle
5
Outstanding Student Awards
6
WKU Livestock Judging Team
7
College Aggies Online (CAO)
7
Horticulture News
8
Cattle and Goats
9
News from the Vineyards
9
WKU Forage Quiz Bowl Team
10
Turf Management
10
Agronomy
11
If you would like to receive a
full-color version of the
newsletter by email?
Please send your email
address to
www.agriculturedept@wku.edu
Well another year has come and gone since our last newsletter. Here is hoping that this letter
finds you well and that you enjoy reading highlights of our department this year..
First and most importantly, we have two retirements that may come as a surprise to many of you.
After 40 years at WKU, Dr. Gordon Jones went on optional retirement beginning July 1, 2010.
Dr. Jenks Britt has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this semester. There is more to
follow in this newsletter regarding both of these fine educators.
It has been a long hot summer, even though we received timely rains the harvest will not match
that of last year. The farm looks cared for and we want you to know that the faculty and staff
work to always put our best foot forward.
Some of the things you would see if you stopped by the farm include a new horse barn ( Equine
Trust Fund), a healthy growing vineyard as you enter the Expo driveway (just finished year 3)
and next to the vineyard the annual flower gardens. Our large animal composting facility has
received a lot of attention and seems to be working well. We have some new fencing along Elrod
road, the dairy freestall barn is getting some additional concrete and waterbeds. The home at 514
Regents Avenue is being remodeled to become the WKU Floral Design Training Center. We
received $250,000 from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Council to complete our cheese
making facility at the Taylor Center. The funding occurred only because of much appreciated
help from Mr. Sam Lawson of Hartland Equipment.
Our students numbers are strong and continue to increase at a steady rate. As you can read, we
are not standing still. So please come to Homecoming 2010 and see for yourself.
Jack L Rudolph, Jr,
Department Head
Staff Excellence Award
Joseph Reynolds is an agricultural
research technician and compost
manager at the university farm.
He was one of 5 persons chosen from
all of the WKU staff members to be
honored with a Staff Excellence
Award.
His hard work and dedication to WKU
and to the community is greatly
appreciated.
Congratulations Joey!
Joseph Reynolds (right), agriculture technician at the WKU Farm,
was honored in the Skilled/Technical/Paraprofessional Category.
Presenting the award were Provost Barbara Burch and President
Gary Ransdell.
Page 2
Did someone say CHEESE?
WKU Department of Agriculture wants to start a cheese-making program to give its
students experience in the food science industry and to give farmers a chance to add
value to something they already produce.
The idea is two-fold. One, it gives our students experience in the food science area, and the other
is that it allows the university‟s farm to do something with the milk it produces and would give
small farmers the same chance.
Last year, the university farm‟s herd of 35 dairy cows produced about 500,000 pounds of milk,
which sold for about $100,000. If all that had been made into cheese, it could have brought about
$300,000. (Calculations based on selling cheese for $5.00 per pound.)
So the farm is on its way to developing the program. We located a company in Pennsylvania that
imports cheese-making equipment from the Netherlands. So far Western has spent about $100,000
on the project and will have to hook up the barn to a sanitary sewer and provide staffing for the
project.
“We have a lot
of kids who
want to go home
when they
graduate from
college. This
is a way for
them to go home
and make a good
living.”
The remainder of the startup funds - about $250,000 - are coming from a grant awarded by the
Kentucky Agriculture Development Board. The university will match that with a total of
$250,000. The grant funding will be used to outfit the
Taylor Center on the university‟s farm for the operation.
The idea would be to give dairy farmers the chance to
produce the cheese at Western, while developing a local
market for their product.
We would teach these farmers how to make cheese and
produce it for them for six months, while they are
developing a market and a business plan. Then they could
go to a local bank for a startup loan and while they were
getting their operation ready, we would continue to
produce the cheese for them another six months.
WKU Dairy
At the end of the year, they would be expected to be producing cheese on their own.
2009 Homecoming
- Precision Grill & Drill Team
What do you get when you mix a grill, lawn mowers and some Ogden College faculty and staff
members together? The Ogden College Precision Grill and Drill Team.
Several Ogden College faculty members and staff promenaded and twirled their lawn mowers
and grill along the parade route. They were a big hit with the crowd. Our very own Dr. Jack Rudolph was a member of this precision team. I hear the hamburgers were excellent.
Banner - Jenifer Anderson & Pat Reynolds
Lawn Mowers - Les Pesterfield, Darwin Dahl, Julie Ellis,
Andy Ernest, Greg Arbuckle, Blaine Farrell, Darwin
Newton & Jack Rudolph.
Cart with Side items - Lisa Wood
Grill Master - Bruce Kessler
To see video: http://www.wku.edu//ogden - Happenings
Dr. Gordon Jones Retires— A lifetime of Service
Page 3
It is always interesting how things turn out and almost never as we plan. The long term relationship between Dr. Gordon Jones and
Western Kentucky University is just such an event. Dr. Jones‟s uncle needed to go to the doctor in Bowling Green so his fine
nephew Gordon, freshly minted Ph. D. from the University of Tennessee, brought him to town and went to visit his former professor
from UT Dr. Elmer Gray. Dr. Gray introduced Dr. Jones to Dr. L. D. Brown, the Department Head of Agriculture and there began a
40 year career.
Dr. Jones and his wife Susan , also Dr. Jones (Nursing), have both given much to Western and their generations of students.
Dr. Jones has shared new scientific findings in animal science with every class of students enrolled in ANSC 140 and that is no small
number. 3 classes every academic year with 50 to 60 students in each class. Certainly a sure sign of a good teacher is one that can not
wait to share new discoveries with their students. There is no one more energized upon returning from a conference, trip or field trip
than Dr. Jones, when he has new information to share.
Dr. Jones has raised the educational bar for generations of Agriculture students. He has helped countless students get into graduate
school and vet school. He has worked to get more Kentucky legislative support for additional Kentucky students at Auburn
University School of Veterinary Medicine. He has trained livestock judging teams and recruited graduate students to coach judging
teams. Because of Dr. Jones‟s efforts, WKU Livestock Judging Teams have competed successfully on a national level.
Dr. Jones has traveled all over the world as a livestock consultant. But, his favorite consulting job is with his son, Bart who owns and
operates an expanded version of the family farm Dr. Jones grew up on.
Dr. Jones and his wife Susan have two grown and married children, Bart and Beth. Beth is an M.D. and a faculty member at the
University of Michigan. They have 3 beautiful, bright and well behaved grandsons.
Dr. Gordon Jones, husband, father, animal scientist, but to so many at Western Kentucky University, he will always be their teacher
and friend.
Dr. Jenks Britt transitions to part time.
In September 1998, Jenks Britt was named Department Head of Agriculture at Western Kentucky University. This appointment
followed 23 years of private veterinary practice and 5 years on the faculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of
Wisconsin – Madison. At WKU, Britt encouraged more faculty research, implemented a self guided tour of the University farm,
hired 5 new faculty members and was Department Head during construction of the Expo-Center Multi-Purpose Barn, the Livestock
Teaching Pavilion, the Equine Trust Fund Riding Arena, the Machinery Shed and the Live Animal Evaluation Center. During his
tenure at WKU the Agriculture student population grew and the University Farm became the site of 4 new USDA-Agricultural
Research Service laboratories for the study of animal waste management and water quality.
In July 2004 Britt moved into a teaching and research position with emphasis on Johne‟s disease control and eradication. Britt also
conducts other research trials and his funding for research has exceeded $300,000. Jenks has taught a full 12 hour load each semester
including Animal Pathology, Physiology of Lactation, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, Advanced Reproduction,
Physiology of Reproduction and Livestock Management. Britt coaches the Dairy Challenge team and directs the Herd Assistance
Program and advises the Dairy Club and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. For the fall semester of 2010 Britt will teach 9 hours plus 3
hours of Research Activities. Starting with the spring semester 2011 he plans to teach 3 hours each semester.
Britt has 201 publications and has presented over 135 lectures in 4 countries. He has had 4 Master‟s Degree students and has served
as a co-advisor with Dr. Gordon Jones to the Pre-Vet students. Britt will continue to consult with dairy herds in the U.S. and Mexico.
In the past 17 years Britt has taken over 30 students and dairymen to visit large herds in Mexico.
Jenks and his wife of 44 years, Kathy, have 3 sons. David, a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis and now a Commander
and Naval aviator, is married to Kristen and they are parents of Hayden, Marin and Jenks. Andy, a chemical engineer graduate of the
University of Kentucky with an MBA from Meredith College, works worldwide for Aeroglide and is married to Dr. Gina Britt and
they are parents of Eden and Drew. Matthew, a graduate in Broadcasting from Western Kentucky University, works for Dell
Computers and is married to Kristi and they are parents of Lila and Jonas.
ASSET 2010
Page 4
2010 marked the fifth year for the WKU Department of Agriculture‟s Annual
Agriculture Student‟s Striving for Effective Tomorrows Conference (A.S.S.E.T.).
A.S.S.E.T 2010 drew twenty-nine high school seniors from Kentucky, Tennessee,
Indiana, and Ohio, all from different backgrounds.
The participants participated in a number of activities this year including the WKU
Challenge Course, tours of CPC Commodities, located in Fountain Run, KY and Lost
River Cave. The conference was housed in Barnes-Campbell Hall, giving participants
a glimpse into the world of college housing. They were also able to participate in a
political forum, following the etiquette dinner, with Billy Ray Smith, Wilson Stone,
and Roger Thomas. The week ended well with Reflections by Warren Beeler, and a
dance that got everyone on their feet and moving.
Activities new to this year included labs with Dr. Jenks Britt and Mr. Roger Dennis.
These allowed the participants to get their hands dirty and really experience what WKU students experience in the classroom. Dr. Britt did a
post-mortem on a calf and Mr. Dennis helped the participants make the floral arrangements that were used during the closing luncheon Friday,
June 4, 2010. These two activities really helped to show students different paths that can be taken within the agriculture industry.
A.S.S.E.T. is meant to be a learning experience and to help high school seniors learn more about college, WKU, and different aspects in agriculture
in which a degree in agriculture can help them be successful.
“A.S.S.E.T was a life changing experience for me, not only did I get out of my comfort zone but I also learned how to push myself to my full
potential,” stated participant Abby Sullivan. “It also helped me understand why WKU is the school for me.”
This years conference utilized nine counselors that got just as much out of the conference as the students did. They become inspired by the
participants‟ interest and initiative to learn more. They in turn walk away from the conference motivated to make the most of the college experience
that they have already began.
A big thank you goes out to all WKU Department of Agriculture faculty and staff, WKU departments, businesses, attractions and all individuals
who aided in making A.S.S.E.T. 2010 happen.
Participants: Kira Andre, Wauseon, OH - Chance Anthony, Harned, KY, Michaela Ash, Upton, KY - James Atherton, Calhoun, KY - Kelsey
Atherton, Utica, KY - Matthew Bailey, Hardinsburg, KY - Jessica Bratcher, Providence, KY 42450 - Katlin Cassity, Franklin, KY, - Zachery
Choate, Richmond, KY - Clay Fergerson, Bowling Green, KY - Rachel Haycraft, Hawesville, KY - Travis Hinton, Portland, TN - Stephanie
Jackson, Cecil, KY - Shayna Jeffries, New Castle, KY - Kathryn Kochems, Charlotte, TN - Sarah Meredith, Quality, KY - Courtney Pitman,
Murfreesboro, TN - Bianca Rice, London, OH - Hannah Richardson, Richmond, KY - Lydia Richardson, Brandenburg, KY - Matthew Sadler,
Beechmont, KY - Rachel Schmitt, Tipton, IN - Kyla Shelby, Shelbyville, KY - Tara Straight, Glendale, KY - Abby Sullivan, Bonnieville, KY Courtney Tarvin, Mt. Olivet, KY - Danielle Vincent, Coxs Creek, KY - Brian Welch, Utica, KY & Haley Woolbright, Bowling Green, KY
Counselors: Kayla Buntin, Whitney Churchman, Arlee Danhauer, Erin Day, Sara Funk, Kyle Herrenbruck, Kyle Porter, Cortney Scott & Loren
Stinson
For more information on ASSET 2010 go to our website: w.wku.edu/agriculture - ASSET Conference or Facebook ASSET 2010
Study Abroad - Ecuador 2010
Seven students got the opportunity of a lifetime to experience
agriculture in a foreign country.
Left to Right: Potato Farmer – Ricardo Cobo, Kristie Guffey, agriculture
instructor; Jamie Guffey, Justin King, TJ Mann, Hajara Mahmood, Erik
Brown, Alex Richardson, Brittany Minor, Kayla Buntin, Andrew Peden, and
Dr. David Coffey.
They arrived in the beautiful capital of Quito, Ecuador. Where they
witnessed the magnificence of the majestic Andes Mountains that
punctuate the landscape of the country The trip headed south to the
agricultural region of Tunghurua. There the students got to
participate in the country‟s second largest animal livestock market.
They got to see fruits, vegetables, flowers and even meat at another
market near the town square. They traveled on to a town known for
Inca warriors, Pillaro. The students were able to dig potatoes and
enjoy the hospitality of local farmers as they prepared Locra de
Papa, the local potato soup. In Puyo, they witnessed wildlife and
got to trek through the mud to a working dairy farm in the jungle.
For more details & pictures from their trip go to our website:
www.wku.edu/agriculture - Department News
2009/2010 Agricultural Ambassadors
Page 5
The WKU Agriculture Ambassadors were in full swing this past year representing the Department of Agriculture in their ever
noticeable red blazers.
The Annual Welcome Back Picnic was held the third week of the Fall 2009 semester. The Agriculture Ambassadors spent hours
planning the event to help students get to know the faculty and staff within the department and introduce them to clubs and ways
they can get involved within the department. In October, Arlee Danhauer, John Hurley, Kyle Porter, and Cortney Scott represented
the Department of Agriculture at the National FFA Convention, recruiting quality students from all across the nation.
The Ambassadors invited high school seniors to the annual WKU Department of Agriculture Open House, held the first weekend
of December 2009, for the opportunity to be admitted into WKU early, get to know campus and the department, and be eligible for
scholarships offered only to Open House participants. The rest of the year was spent recruiting heavily for the Department of
Agriculture. The Agriculture Ambassadors gave farm tours, met with prospective students, and helped out with Academic
Transition Programs, held in the Spring. The goal of the Ambassadors is to serve as the liaison between the students and faculty
within the department and to recruit high caliber high school students to become apart of the WKU Department of Agriculture.
As put by Agriculture Ambassador Whitney Churchman, “I believe that qualitative recruitment supercedes quantitive recruitment
and that the power of WKU‟s Ag Department lies in our collaboration as a department to attack the
hard working successful students that will be the future of Agriculture in our state and nation.”
The 2009-2010 Agriculture Ambassadors were Whitney Churchman, Arlee Danhauer, Aaron Harned,
Sarah Head, John Hurley, Celeste Laurent, Jessica Penrod, Kyle Porter, Ashley Quiggins, Cortney
Scott, and Bailey Walter.
The 2010-2011 Agriculture Ambassadors were announced April 29, 2010, following an application
and rigorous interview process. They are Kayla Buntin, Caitlin Carter, Whitney Churchman, Arlee
Danhauer, Leah Beth Dublin, Kyle Porter, Ashley Quiggins, Alex Richardson, Lauren Riggs,
Cortney Scott, and Bailey Walter.
Furthermore, Dr. Nevil Speer will be taking over the leadership role for the Agriculture Ambassadors
for the 2010-2011 year.
“I believe that
qualitative recruitment
supercedes quantitive
recruitment and that the
power of WKU‟s Ag
Department lies in our
collaboration as a
department to attack the
hard working successful
students that will be the
future of Agriculture in
our state and nation.”
Block and Bridle
The Block and Bridle club was founded on the principles of leadership, character,
and community service. This concept has proven successful over the years
through exceptional service and educational programs. WKU‟s Block and
Bridle prides itself in continuing traditions from the past including events such as
the Little North American and, of course, the famous pork chop sales.
With these traditions come very busy semesters for members. During the fall
both new and old members enjoyed recruitment week at the L.D Brown Expo
Center, then many pork chop sales were held along with community service
projects. National Convention was held in Louisville, KY and 15 members
jumped on the opportunity. Soon after convention it was time to start planning
for the Little North American. This past spring was an exceptional year for
participation during the week. After a great week of hard work on the farm with
animals and a very successful show, the year was ended at the annual banquet. It
was a great conclusion and reflection of the year for all members. We would like
to thank Dr. Jones for all his support and
guidance throughout the years.
Along with reflection comes anticipation for what is to come. Members are looking forward to attending convention in Michigan
during October and expanding our membership. The new officer team is full of ideas and excitement.
Serving as officers for the 2010-2011 academic year are as follows: President- Brian Reynolds,
Vice President-Kayla Buntin, Secretary-Marie Weldon, Treasurer-Alex Richardson, Reporter- Sara Funk, Marshall-Hunter
Wilson. BBQ Chair- Dustin Ogburn, Michael Simpson, Jesse Evans Social Chair-Catie Martin, Ally Hensley, Hannah England,
Alumni Secretary-Cortney Scott New Member Ambassador-Kyle Porter, Advisor- Dr. Gordon Jones
Outstanding Student Awards 2010
Page 6
Outstanding Graduate Student
Zheng Wang
Mr. Wang is a native of China and is the son of Weilin Wang and Yanxin Gao. Wang completed his M.S. in Agriculture in December 2009. His thesis research was
directed by Drs. Elmer Gray, Todd Willian and Martin Stone and investigated the effect of different schedules of baby corn (Zea mays L.) harvests on baby corn yield,
grain yield, and economic profit value. Wang has published abstracts and co-authored journal articles in association with Departmental faculty and has presented
research findings at the Kentucky Academy of Science meetings. Wang has continued his research efforts since graduation to complete his Optional Practical
Training and is currently applying to Ph.D. programs where he intends to pursue a doctoral degree in either Agronomy or Horticulture.
Outstanding Senior
John Hurley
John Hurley originates from the town of Richland in Spencer County, Indiana, and is the son of Bill and Kaddy Hurley. Majoring in agriculture with a
concentration in agriculture education as well as general chemistry, an accomplishment made possible by transferring seventeen hours of credit from high
school, John will graduate this May with Cum Laude honors. He has maintained strong academic performance while participating in Collegiate FFA,
Agricultural Ambassadors, and serving for three years as a counselor for the Agriculture Students Striving for Effective Tomorrows (A.S.S.E.T.) conference.
Mr. Hurley plans to teach high school agriculture upon graduation.
Outstanding Agronomy Student
Zach Sheldon
Zach, a senior from Lewisport, KY, was selected for this award by the Agronomy faculty, based upon his academic achievement, leadership skills, and dedication
to the Agronomy discipline. Zach will graduate May with a B.S. in Agriculture with an emphasis in Agronomy–Plant Science. Following graduation, he plans to
obtain full-time employment as an Agronomist with a seed or chemical company. Zach has positioned himself well for future employment in the agronomy
industry. He has participated in two internships over the last two summers: one for the Helena Chemical Company and the other for Summit Golf Course. Zach’s
dedication to and participation in these experiences has not compromised his academic achievements. He has been named to the President’s List and Dean’s List
during his college career. Zach also participated with the WKU Soil Judging Team this past fall . Zach’s WKU experiences have benefitted both his career endeavors and the Agriculture Department.
Outstanding Agricultural Business Student
Kyle Adams
Kyle is expecting to graduate Cum Laude in May 2010 with a major in Agriculture with minors in Business Administration and Marketing. Kyle has excelled
through college while also working part-time . Kyle purchased his first farm at age 19 and began leasing ground at age 18, and spends most of his time raising
row crops and beef cattle in Barren County on these properties. In 2009, Adams Farms was selected as Farmers of the Year by the Glasgow – Barren County
Chamber of Commerce. Kyle is also a Cooperative Education Student Worker at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. Kyle is a member of the WKU
Agricultural Business Club, involved in the intramural sports program, and is the ambassador for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America at Western Kentucky
University. Upon graduation, Kyle will begin his job at South Central Bank as a loan officer.
Outstanding Agricultural Education Student
Carrie Darnell
Ms. Darnell lives in Morning View, Kentucky and is the daughter of Art and Becky Darnell. Carrie will soon complete her student teaching at Barren
County High School and plans to share her passion of agriculture by teaching others as an agriculture educator. Ms. Darnell has been very active inside
and outside of the Department of Agriculture. She has participated in many clubs and organizations and has been vigorous at representing the entire WKU
campus. She is a member of several professional organizations and has proven her dedication to her profession by receiving several scholarships. Please
join us in congratulating Carrie on a job well done. Thank you for your service and we look forward to working with you for many years to come.
Outstanding Animal Science Student
Joshua J. Tyler
Joshua’s solid academic performance and consistent dedication have placed him on the President’s Scholars list every semester during his tenure at WKU.
In 2009 Joshua was awarded the American FFA Degree, which is the highest honor that can be achieved as a member of the Future Farmers of America
and recognizes solid commitment to the FFA and the desire to establish oneself in an agricultural career. Joshua will graduate May 2010 and thereafter
plans to attend graduate school.
Outstanding Horticulture Student
Zachary P. Vincent
Zach is a junior pursing a B.S. degree in Agriculture with specialization in horticulture. He has maintained an outstanding GPA and has been on
the Dean’s list or President’s list since returning to WKU. Zach is a member of the WKU Horticulture Club and was recently chosen to participate
in a project at Baker Arboretum identifying and cataloging native wild flower species. Zach is also responsible for maintaining the gardens at
historic Boxwood, one of Bowling Green’s oldest private residences. He will be working with a graduate student this summer developing the
gardens at the University farm.
Outstanding Turfgrass Management Student
Benjamin R. Hurt
Benjamin Hurt is a fall 2009 graduate of the WKU Golf and Turfgrass Management program. While at WKU, Ben served as president of the WKU Turf
Club and was active in the department. He completed internships with TurfCo in Bowling Green, KY and Farisons Lawn and Sports Turf in Louisville, KY.
Ben is a member of the Kentucky Turfgrass Council and the Golf Course Superintendents of America Association and is currently employed by L.K.J.
Crabbe Inc., where he supervises the Nolin Lake property.
2010 WKU Livestock Judging Team
Page 7
The first Livestock Judging Team at Western since 2006 has been working
hard practicing and participating in collegiate competitions during the 2010
spring semester. The members of the team include: Nathan DeKemper,
Ashley Quiggens, Jacob Sharpe, Celeste Laurent, Brian Reynolds, and Tom
Nichols. All are obtaining Agriculture Bachelor degrees while at Western
and are coached by Lindsey Reynolds, who will have completed her Masters
degree in Agriculture in December 2010. Involvement in the team not only
requires dedication and commitment, but also is an experience of a lifetime in
regards to public speaking, decisiveness, and professional interactions. The
team‟s practice schedule was from February to May and entailed weekday
and weekend practices.
The team traveled to two competitions during the spring semester; the Dixie National Beef Judging Contest and the NACTA
Livestock Judging Contest. The Dixie National was held in Jackson, Mississippi during February and this was the team‟s first
contest. This contest is a beef judging contest and has English, Continental, Brahman, and Market Steer divisions. Awards from the
Dixie National include 3rd in the English division and 5th in the Continental division.
The second competition, the NACTA Livestock Judging Contest, was held in El Reno, Oklahoma during April. This contest
consisted of cattle, sheep, and swine divisions. The WKU team awards are as follows: 2 nd place Beef Judging, 3rd place Sheep
Judging, 3rd place Swine Judging, 3rd place Oral Reasons, and 3rd Overall Team. Ashley Quiggins also placed individually in several
divisions and they are as follows: 2nd place Beef Judging, 4th place Sheep Judging, 3rd place Oral Reasons, and 4th place Overall
Individual.
Practice and competitions for the judging team will continue in the fall semester and will commence with the North American
Livestock Judging Contest in November. The fall semester for the judging team will be partially funded by the team members.
Any donations will be graciously accepted and go toward hotel costs for contest and practices. Contributions can be sent to
Dr. Gordon Jones Department of Agriculture 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
College Aggies Online (CAO)
The Animal Ag Alliance has announced the results of its first College
Aggies Online (CAO) program. The nationwide competition was developed
in partnership with the American National Cattle Women, Inc. to help
college students utilize social media tools to share ag's story.
Students with an interest in ag were invited to join the CAO network in
October 2009. Members then earned points for their school group and
individually by posting blogs, photos and videos related to agriculture and
by participating in online outreach activities via Twitter, Facebook and
e-mail. Over the past six months, 350 college students from nearly 50
universities participated in the competition.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) Block and Bridle Club members formed the top-scoring club with 5,376 points. The group
will receive a $750 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C., for one representative to attend the Alliance's Stakeholders Summit
in April. Casper College Ag Club came in second place with 2,794 points and will receive $300.
With 617 total points, the individual high score went to WKU‟s Celeste Laurent. She will receive a $250 scholarship. Danielle
Hammer of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls came in second place with 554 points and will be awarded $100.
CAO participants shared more than 3,000 photos on the network and authored 100 blog posts. Members also advocated for ag in
their communities by writing letters to the editors of local news outlets and by participating in other outreach activities.
Students are encouraged to continue utilizing the CAO forum to connect and share information even after the conclusion of the
competition. The Alliance plans to re-launch and expand CAO in the fall. To learn more, email info@animalagalliance.org.
-- Animal Ag Alliance release
Page 8
HORTICULTURE NEWS
Prepared By: Mr. Roger Dennis
Many exciting things are happening with Horticulture at WKU. All the
various projects that were happening in the past are still ongoing, such as
the developing education gardens at the farm and the vineyard. I am
excited to announce the opening of our on-campus flower shop, coming
this fall. The Western Kentucky University Florist and Floral Design
Training Center will be opening during this fall semester. It will be a full
-service florist business that offers a full range of products and services,
including wedding and funeral work as well as delivery and wire service.
Fresh cut and permanent botanicals will be a part of inventory available,
as well as a line of gift items suitable for a campus community such as
gift baskets and plants grown by students in greenhouse production
courses.
The purpose of an on-campus Floral Shop is to create a training facility for students interested in careers in floral design, interior
design, and hotel restaurant management as well as floral shop management. Courses using the facility will be HORT 209
Introduction to Floral Design, HORT 309 Advanced Floral Design, HORT 301 Wedding Floral Design, with the addition of a
Floral Shop Management Course. The facility will be used for extended campus workshops offering a certificate to Florists that
are interested in advancing their design skills.
Our target market will consist of the entire Western Kentucky University campus community to include Aramark catered events,
WKU events and the faculty, staff, and students. Alumni, parents, and relatives of students are other clientele focused upon. The
campus location of the flower shop will enable the student body and WKU employees to easily access the shop by foot or by
automobile.
The WKU Florist will have full retail space that will consist of a well-merchandised area that is attractive and well designed. Due
to the fact that the shop is located on campus, it is expected that there will be a high amount of foot traffic. The facility will be
handicap accessible with parking available for customers. Window and outside displays will be changed regularly to spark
interest of pedestrians walking or driving by. We will also be open for all campus sporting events so the alumni can stop by and
visit our facility.
There will be a workroom and a classroom lab space that will be separate from the flower shop showroom and sales area. These
areas will be viewable from the retail area because the power of flowers and the art of floral design spark. Viewable workroom
areas allow the customer to see the expertise in creating a design and the talent that goes into a design. The lab space will be used
by those students enrolled in floral design courses. These students will have a set lab time to go to the shop to create a floral
design. The student‟s designs will be evaluated by the lab instructor and the finished product will be featured as a special that will
be sold in the shop.
We are also very proud of our graduates and would like to up-date you on two of our alumni. Diana Edlin and Stephen Flomo
completed their Master‟s Degree in Horticulture with Dr. Martin Stone this past spring semester. This summer Diana has started a
Ph.D. program at the University of Florida. She will be studying the
nutritional needs of peaches. Stephen is continuing to explore horticultural
related career opportunities in the U.S. and in Liberia, his home country.
Congratulations and best wishes to Diana and Stephen for their
accomplishments and continued success.
As stated earlier graduate student Claudia Stetter continues her work on
establishing the educational garden at the WKU Farm. The project has
doubled in size with the implementation of new flower beds. She has
installed a new Hosta bed, an Azalea and Rhododendron bed, and will be
establishing a 120 foot perennial and shrub bed. She is planning the
development and installation of the herb and kitchen gardens this fall.
Claudia is being assisted by horticulture student Zach Vincent . If you have
the opportunity to come by the farm for a visit, I feel that you will be well
pleased by all the horticulture activity that is happening at WKU.
Educational Gardens at University Farm
Page 9
Cattle and Goats??? HMMMM…
Chelsea Williams is a current graduate student in the WKU department of agriculture.
Chelsea has an undergraduate degree from Lipscomb University in Environmental Science
with minors in biology, chemistry, and political science. Her research at WKU entails a
co-grazing study with cattle and goats. Due to differences in grazing behavior and forb
preference among the two species, Chelsea hopes that cattle and goats will be a compatible
enterprise for Kentucky farmers. Cattle grazing in conjunction with goats and cattle
alternating with goats were grazing systems
evaluated. Preliminary results show that goats
grazing in conjunction with cattle resulted in weed
suppression, including nodding thistle.
Chelsea hopes that results from her research can lead
to better management and utilization of Kentucky
pastures. Many herbicides that control broadleaf
weeds also exhibit phytotoxicity on legume species
in pastures such as clovers. Grazing goats with cattle
may help control pasture weeds without harmful
effects on legume species. In addition, goats may
serve as a valuable commodity for local farmers.
Multispecies grazing may become an important tool
in helping Kentucky farms become more sustainable.
Pictured with Chelsea is a buck kid that was born this
summer on the WKU farm. Due to his patriarchal
status in the department and interest in Chelsea‟s
project, the kid was named Elmer after Dr. Elmer
Gray. Dr. Gray has welcomed the role of having a
Dr. Elmer Gray and Elmer
„god kid‟. Chelsea plans on pursuing a Ph.D. upon
completion of her M.S. degree at WKU.
Chelsea Williams and Elmer
News from the Vineyards
Vineyards established near the Elrod Road entrance to the
University Farm in 2008 and 2009 were utilized during
Spring 2010 semester‟s Introduction to Viticulture class.
Faculty members Todd Willian and Roger Dennis taught this
first-time class offering to 19 undergraduate and 6 graduate
students. In addition to classroom instruction, students received hands-on training in pruning techniques, canopy management, trellis construction, and fertilization. Class member Jake Hart
recently accepted a position at Talon Vineyards and Winery in Lexington, KY
Congrats Jake!
Due to his
patriarchal status
in the department
and interest in
Chelsea‟s project,
the kid was named
Elmer after Dr.
Elmer Gray.
Dr.
Gray has welcomed
the role of having
a „god kid‟.
Our 296 vines (approximately ½ acre) consist of American
varieties such as „Concord‟; French Hybrid varieties such as
„Villard Blanc‟, „Reliance‟ and „Chambourcin‟; and
European varieties such as „Riesling‟, „Petite Sirah‟, and
„Gruner Veltliner‟.
Thanks to undergraduate assistants Kellee Montgomery and Zach Vincent and graduate
assistant Claudia Stetter for their assistance with vineyard management this summer. Several
of us attended the annual Kentucky Vineyard Society meeting on July 25 th in Lexington, KY.
Next spring semester we will offer the Introduction to Viticulture class for the 2 nd time and we
hope to expand our acreage with new plantings. Vines established in 2008 will be producing
ripe fruit between July and November, so feel free to stop by and take a look!
Submitted by: Dr. Todd Willian
Variety „GR 7‟ ripening in July
2010
WKU Forage Quiz Bowl Team
Page 10
The WKU Forage Quiz Bowl Team, Morgan McGuire,
Marie Weldon and Christopher Geralds, performed well at
the national American Forage and Grassland Council 2010
Conference. Winning Second Place in the competition held
as part of the AFGC meeting in Springfield, Missouri in
June, these students demonstrated their knowledge of forage
species, production practices, animal health issues, weed
control and pest management. Each team member received
a monetary award and the Department of Agriculture
received a plaque to display in the department.
Congratulations Team!
In addition to the WKU Forage Quiz Bowl Team, other
Hilltoppers in attendance included Dr. Linda Brown
Gonzales, graduate student Chelsea Williams, Dr. Byron
Sleugh (former WKU faculty member, now with
Dow-Elanco), Dr. Jennifer Johnson (Bachelor‟s and MS
from WKU) and WKU Alumni Hall of Fame members Dr.
Garry Lacefield and Dr. Don Ball.
Turf Management
Dear Alumni,
Looking back on this previous year, one point that comes to mind is the weather. We were so blessed with a cool summer with
timely rains last year that I became spoiled. Though we have had excessive flooding in the spring and extremely hot temperatures
with little rain during the summer, the golf course has fared well. One new addition to the turf area this year is a test plot of a
relatively new type of turf, seashore paspalum. This grass is adapted to coastal areas in the south. It is unique from other turfgrass
species in that it tolerates a wide range of mowing heights. This species may be used on putting greens, fairways, and roughs. The
test study at WKU will be the farthest north that seashore paspalum has been studied.
Next, I would like to briefly talk about our students. Our turf students are continuing to excel in the turf industry. Currently, Josh
Blaker is completing an internship at Augusta National. Through his efforts, several students have the opportunity to assist in the
overseeding of the course this fall. Dane Wilson is currently completing an internship at a, course in Europe. He is working on a
new construction golf course in the Netherlands. When I last spoke to Dane, the Netherlands success in the World Cup matches had
heightened his experience. Our graduates have still been successful in obtaining employment during this down economic period.
Ben Hurt is working with a management company here in Bowling Green, Sam Gardner is an assistant at a course in Florida, and
Wes Mobley obtained an assistant position at a course in Nashville. Though turf student numbers have dropped around the country,
WKU student numbers have remained consistent.
Not only have our students shined, but our staff as well.
Joey Reynolds, our turf technician, received a university
award for his efforts within the department. He was
nominated and selected by peers throughout the whole
university. I would like to end by just saying that it is
difficult to relate all the activities and efforts of the
department of agriculture this past year in a concise
newsletter. This is an exciting and challenging time in our
department. Hopefully, you have been able to relate to our
experiences through this newsletter. I urge you to
fellowship and share with us this homecoming season. I
look forward to seeing you this fall.
Sincerely,
Paul Woosley
Agronomy
Page 11
Student News
Laura Beagle, Geoffrey Fischer, John Hester, Buck Hulsey, Phillip Rogers, and Zach Sheldon, along with graduate student Lindsay
Meeks, were involved in the 2009 Southern Regional Soil Judging Competition which was hosted by The University of Tennessee Knoxville. Darwin Newton and Becky Gilfillen went with the group to help with coaching. The students placed 10 th in the contest
at UTK. Buck Hulsey, Coty Johnson, Phillip Rogers, and Phillip Wheet competed in the NACTA Contest hosted by Redlands
College in El Reno, OK in April 2010.
Zach Sheldon was the Outstanding Senior Agronomy Student this year. He graduated in May and we wish him the best in his future
endeavors as he starts an Agronomy Career.
The Soil Fertility Class along with the Agronomy Club had a field trip to Miles Enterprises and Waters Agricultural Laboratory this
spring. In addition, Southern States provided a demonstration of GPS mapping in soil sampling and variable rate fertilizer
application at the WKU Farm. We appreciate all of the support from our local Agricultural Industries
Zheng Wang finished his Master‟s Degree in December and was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student in the Department.
“Mr. Wang” studied and worked with Drs. Willian and Gray. He plans to pursue his PhD in Horticulture at North Carolina State
University or the University of Kentucky. Congratulations “Mr. Wang” and best wishes!
Gary Cundiff is a new M.S. Graduate Student in the Department. His research is a two year study on the effects of mycorrhizae in
tomato and snap bean production. Mycorrhizae are a symbiotic soil microorganism that assists in the uptake of nitrogen,
phosphorous, and water for many plants and trees. He is studying the effects of mycorrhizae on tomatoes and snap beans in a
conventional vs. organic production system. The study looks at incorporating either a 1X rate, 2X rate or no mycorrhizae.
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. Research projects include the use of poultry litter and dairy manure as a fertilizer source to grow field
and forage crops. Dr. Becky Gilfillen made a presentation last October at the American Society of Agronomy Meetings in
Pittsburgh, PA. She also had a presentation from this research at the Southern American Society of Agronomy Meetings in Orlando,
FL. She has served as Secretary for this organization last year and is currently Vice-President/Program Chair.
Our research continues this summer – we are assisted in our efforts by undergraduate student Marie Weldon and graduate students
Bill Penick and Gary Cundiff . Kaylissa Horton, Buck Hulsey and Molly Jehlick were undergraduate student lab workers this past
year. We have added a new member to our research team with Tinesha Mack , our new Research Technician. We welcome Tinesha
back to Bowling Green from Alabama A&M where she has worked the last couple of years. Our ongoing and new research projects
include the following:

Soil Dynamics and Corn Grain Yield and Quality when fertilized with Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers. (Drs. Gilfillen and
Willian)
 Influence of Broiler Litter Application History on Soil Nutrient Status and Corn Grain Yield and Quality (Drs. Gilfillen and
Willian).
 Effect of Poultry Litter and Dairy Manure Application Rate and Timing in pathogen survival and nutrient availability in fescue
and corn (Drs. Gilfillen, Netthisinghe and Woosley)
 Spatial measurement of nutrient movement and pathogen survival in soils associated with a Feedlot Production System (Drs.
Netthisinge and Gilfillen)
 Use of Soil Amendments to Enhance Phosphorus Availability (Drs. Gilfillen and Willian, in cooperation with Southern States)
 Use of mycorrhizae in tomato and snap bean production under organic and conventional production systems (Gary Cundiff and
Dr. Gilfillen)
 Extending Vegetable Production to year-around using different vegetable species and high-tunnel structures (Dr. Gray and Mr.
Wang)
 Evaluation of baby corn production as a potential specialty crop for small farmers and local markets (Mr. Wang and Dr. Gray)
Developing harvesting systems for broccoli to increase yield and extend harvest period (Mr. Wang and Dr. Gray)
Submitted by: Drs. Gilfillen, Willian, and Gray
Department of Agriculture
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd #41066
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1066
Address Service Requested
We are on the web:
www.wku.edu/agriculture
ANNUAL ALUMNI
HOMECOMING
LUNCHEON
October 30, 2010
at 12:00 p.m.
AG EXPO CENTER
Please call 745-3151 to RSVP
Tickets $15.00