Head: USG should have supported student agriculture group

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to the article entitled “USG approves equipment, vetoes event for agriculture RSO.” I was saddened that the USG did not support one of the  RSO’s on campus. Agriculture Systems Technology is a club which uses information to compete across the nation each year, highlighting the talents of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s students and curriculum.

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The University Student Government has somehow lost touch with the College of Agricultural Sciences. In February, the College of Agricultural Sciences hosted its annual All Agriculture Banquet to recognize its clubs and students for their scholastic and community involvements. At the annual banquet, the Council presented $1,500 for Heifer International, an organization based teaching others to become self-sustaining.

Ag. Industry Day is an event which welcomes high school students from across southern Illinois to compete in several invitational FFA contests, and learn what’s new in agricultural research and in the changing industry. As the day has become such a hit with the high school students and community, this year Ag. Industry Day has overflowed into two days.

Day one, April 15, will be dedicated to high school students who will be participating in the three invitational contests, livestock judging, dairy judging, and horticulture. The respective students will indulge in a pizza party, be presented their awards and go back to their schools and hometowns with high opinions of our campus on mind and tongue. Friday’s event is expected to bring more than 700 high school students and instructors onto campus this spring.

I would personally like to invite the entire campus and community to this year’s Agriculture Industry Day, “Ag. in the Atmosphere,” held at the Beef Evaluation Center located at 599 Rowden Road on Saturday April 16, 2011. Come join us for a fun-filled day of events for people of all ages ranging from Coloring Your Diet, Forestry Demonstrations, Animal Care Clinics, Flower Arranging Classes, a Kids Corner including a petting zoo, and don’t forget the opportunity to stick your hand in a live, cannulated cow. In the College of Agricultural Sciences, we are excited to share about agriculture in any way we can. “Ag. in the Atmosphere” will begin at 9:00 am and Chancellor Rita Cheng will speak at 11:30am. Bring a friend and your appetite as Saluki BBQ will be served at noon.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my views of outreach and community involvement from a college who I feel has been misrepresented by your paper. I urge your staff to attend our event and notice the warmth you’ll feel radiating from within our College.

Sincerely,

Mary-Grace Bell, a graduate student in agricultural sciences from Bridgeport,

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and Colburn Dittmer, a teaching Assistant in plant, soil and agricultural systems