Neosho, MO – Crowder Agriculture has started the semester off in a flurry of activity as students began their post-secondary educational journeys. The 9th Annual Roughrider Scholarship Rodeo saw over 2,000 spectators enjoying rodeo action for 2 nights while raising funds for Crowder Agriculture students. Welcome Back Mud Volleyball Tourney and BBQ kicked off the first week of school.
Sixteen students became James L-Earner Scholars, who work on projects for the Ag Division as part of the fulfillment of their $1,500 per semester scholarship. Projects include fence building, barn/pen maintenance, feeding and care of animals, brush clearing, and general upkeep of ag facilities. Austin Etcheson, Jasper, MO, said “As a James L-Earner, I get to work with many people and build teamwork skills while improving practical knowhow.”
Crowder Vet Tech received this semesters cats and dogs that will serve as learning assistants and will be adopted out at the end of the semester. They also hosted a dog wash to raise funds for the Vet Tech club. Students also attended the FETCH conference in Kansas City learning about the latest issues in animal health. Ag Mechanics students were busy fixing dog kennels and pouring concrete.
Crowder Ag hosted the Area 11 Greenhand conference with nearly 600 freshmen and over 100 juniors and seniors who attended Jr/Sr Ag Day where they were led by current Aggies to different ag labs and experienced a snapshot of college life. Aggies co-hosted a Party on the Quad serving BBQ sandwiches and line dancing which kept students entertained. They also served a full taco dinner to the Newton/McDonald County Cattlemen for their September meeting.
Aggies are preparing for the state Professional Ag Students contest in Springfield against Missouri colleges and universities on career readiness skills such as resume writing, employment interview, public speaking and ag knowledge skills. The competition is November 4-6 at Ozark Technical College.
Improvements have been made to the nearly 300 acre farm through the supervision of newly hired Farm Operations Manager, Staci Garvin. Garvin oversees the daily operations of the farm, as well as the James L-Earner Scholars. Improvements to the farm include:
- New intensive grazing paddocks for sheep and goats.
- New cross fencing in cattle pastures.
- Fixed perimeter fencing
- Fixed corral system at Large Animal lab
- Rebuilt pig facility
- New fencing at Beef Barn
- Planted new forages in several pastures
- Currently the farm has cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs.
Last Updated on October 27, 2021 by Steven Brunson
