CoAHSShowcase

Tarleton State UniversityCollege of Agriculture and Human Sciences

Summer/Fall 2009

Wine making Texas style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3The lone wolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4The American dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5College of agriculture & human science students: Processing food side-by-side . . . . 6Students hoping to catch the eye of the Food Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Just a girl, a horse and a turtle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Portraying true grit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Tarleton’s southwest regional dairy center provides ‘happy cow’ environment . . . . 10Tradition of excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Small enough, far enough; Tarleton State University is a perfect fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Destiny of Tarleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13The healing power of plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Vol. 3. Issue 2.CoAHShowcase is a product of the Agricultural News Magazine Production (ACOM 490) course.Contributing writers: Ashton BrownAustin KeeseeAmy MahaneyRebecca SandersNathan Smith

Contributing photographers: Ashton BrownAshlie Cousins (Cover)Jeremy EnlowAustin KeeseeAmy MahaneyRebecca SandersNathan Smith

Editor:Kimberly A. Bellah, associate professor,

agricultural services & development

Graphic design:Bill Ware, senior publications editor

CoAHSShowcaseSummer/Fall 2009

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2

From Italian hillsides to French farms to California vine-yards, the world has come to know and love the taste of wine originating in these traditional locations. However,

there are some new players in the game, and they come from Texas.

Wineries around the globe are being given a run for their money from small vineyards like the one in the rural community of Bluff Dale, Texas. Here, David and Theresa Hayes have started a small winery and are among several winemakers who have proven it can be done in Texas, too.

“I was in sales and we were transferred to Texas,” Hayes said. “We were living in Flower Mound at the time and had looked for land for two years. We stopped in Hico one Sunday and ate lunch and saw an ad for some land in Bluff Dale. We drove over and, immediately, we both knew this was the location we wanted to build on. We bought it the next day; that was 12 years ago.”

Hayes is no novice when it comes to the art of wine-making. As a child, he helped his grandfather on a winery in his native Tennessee.

“Our wine has come a long way since those days,” Hayes laughed. “He made some awful stuff with wild grapes.”

Along with the mechanics of winemaking, the Hayes’ have learned patience. After first planting and irrigating the grapes, a period of six years went by before the first bottle was produced. Depending on the type of wine and finish desired, the process from plant to harvest can take three to four years. From that point, the grapes are crushed and yeast is added. The grapes are then stored in large tanks for six months and al-lowed to ferment.

After a filtering process, the contents are placed in a variety of oak barrels where they remain there from six to eighteen months, depending on the wine variety. After more filtering, the wine is bottled.

“It’s a long work and wait game the first few years; it’s farming,” Hayes said. “We started with 1500 plants and have close to that now.”

The diverse climate and constantly changing weather has made viticulture in Central Texas somewhat difficult. One

simple resource not as common in Texas as in other areas known for wineries is water. Hayes uses a drip irrigation sys-tem that allows each plant to be watered individually. By using this system, he is able to control precisely the amount of water each plant receives. To combat runoff, he uses a French drain system that enables him to utilize what rainwater he collects.

“Each irrigator emits one gallon per hour,” Hayes said. “Depending on how much rain we have, I’ll water three gal-lons every third or fourth day. Some years you don’t use any; we’ve had some monsoon seasons. Other years you might have to water six gallons a week times 1300 plants.”

Because of Hayes’ irrigation practices, some of Tarleton State University’s students benefit from class visits to the winery. The water conservation and utilization class is one such beneficiary. Other courses, such as food processing, use this destination as a means to show students how agricultural products are processed in a real world setting.

Hayes recently traveled to Austin to listen in on some State Senate committee hearings concerning legislation affect-ing wineries in the state. Wineries are now able to market their products that bring in revenue and tourism to the sate.

“Legislation is now more favorable toward winer-ies,” Hayes said. “The state government is now giving grants to people who want to start wineries. The biggest problem we face is not having enough grapes. We really only have 25 percent of the grapes we need in the state.”

Bluff Dale Winery imports grapes from other vine-yards in Texas to supplement their own harvest numbers. Normal harvests bring in three to four tons per acre. One ton of grapes are roughly equal to 150 gallons of finished wine.

Like a few other winemakers in the state, the Hayes’ open their doors to visitors and wine enthusiasts from across the country. With covered patio areas and occasional live mu-sic, the winery in Bluff Dale is a peaceful getaway dedicated to those who enjoy a nice Texas wine.

“We enjoy getting to know the folks that visit,” Hayes said. “I have always enjoyed working with people and I guess I really never got out of sales; now the people just come to me.”

Wine making Texas styleBy Nathan Smith, agricultural communication junior

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The lone wolfBy Nathan Smith, agricultural communication junior

Tarleton State University’s Child and Family Studies program may sound like something that attracts only women, but think again. Chad Hay, a senior in the

department of human science with an emphasis in child and family studies, and from Arlington, is living proof that a man can make it in a, seemingly, woman’s world.

When Hay started the program, there were three men in the human science department. Two have since moved on, leaving him as the “lone wolf.”

“It was never that intimidating being the only guy in the class,” said Hay. “The faculty made it really easy because virtually every class has some type of group project. It was pretty easy getting to know people, and now it’s not a big deal at all.”

The child and family studies program is a course of study that provides a look at the various stages of development of both the child and the family. Students study the child from conception to the completion of elementary school, as well as families, including various family formations, parenting, relationships and the life span of the family.

In Wisdom Gym, where the department of human science is housed, it is not easy to find a faculty member who does not know Hay. Human sciences’ associate professor Richard Sale said Hay is an excellent example of a well-rounded student.

“Chad is so diverse in his activity participation,” said Sale. “He is an outstanding individual who possesses several leader-ship qualities. He is a great example of what students here can do if they are ambitious and become involved.”

Hay’s passion for human interaction is personified through his diversified campus involvement, which includes Greek life, Student Programming Association, Student Government Association, Duck Camp, and treasurer of the human science honor society, Kappa Omicron Nu.

“When you really enjoy something, it’s not hard to study,” Hay said. “For that reason, I did pretty well and was invited to be part of Kappa Omicron Nu. I feel it is crucial to get involved in something that you are passionate about. There have been a few times that I’ve been overwhelmed and my spare time is just that, spare, but I’m better for it, I believe. ”

Being the “lone wolf” in a pack of females is unique, and so are his post-graduate goals.After graduation, Hay will join the Peace Corps and work in underdeveloped countries building communities in terms of

family relations. He finished the 18-page application and hopes for acceptance.“I’ve always wanted to get into the Peace Corps. I came to college and knew I wanted to do that. Community outreach is

the area I want to focus on,” said Hay. “I love working with people.”

Chad Hay is not afraid to cut his own path in education.

4

The American dreamBy Ashton Brown, agricultural communication senior

With the odds against him from the start, Dario Martinez was literally far from the American dream. In May 2010, that dream will become a

reality! At the age of one, the Martinez family moved to Texas from their home in Ciudad Valles, Mexico, with hopes of a bet-ter life and an education. Being fluent in English and Spanish, and with such a good attitude toward education and life as a whole, it’s not a surprise that Martinez will continue to prosper in America.

Martinez’ father came to Texas before his children were born to work on a ranch with his uncle. He earned enough money to drive the family to the United States when the younger Martinez was one year old, where they settled in the small rural town of Star, Texas. Each year, the Martinez family travels back to the tropical climate of Cuidad Valles to vacation and visit extended family.

Growing up in Star, Texas, one might think the 11 stu-dents in his graduating class would have difficulty passing the time, but not Martinez. He remained busy with extracurricular activities, such as FFA and University Interscholastic League teams. Active in the FFA, Martinez showed broiler chickens and market goats. Within the FFA, he competed in leader-ship development events in the fall of each year, such as creed speaking and the quiz team. In the spring, he was involved in career development events, such as nursery and landscape evaluation.

When not at school or one of many school functions, he loved spending time at home with a big family. Martinez has two sisters, one of whom is working to graduate from the University of Texas, Permian Basin, in Odessa. Martinez’ little sister, B .B., is nine years old. B. B. and Martinez have a very close relationship.

“She is my hanging out buddy; I was a senior in high school and I took her to her first day of school,” said Martinez. “She understands me at my level. She is so mature for her age.”

Martinez and B. B. enjoy spending quality time to-gether when he goes home for family visits, playing with their blue heeler puppy, Delilah, and bowling. His younger brother is a senior at Star High School. He plans to attend Texas A&M University. Martinez’ parents raised their children in an atmo-sphere emphasizing the importance of education.

When it came time to look into colleges for the semes-ter after high school graduation, Martinez knew Tarleton State University was his first choice.

“It is close to home, and Tarleton is a creditable school at an affordable price,” said Martinez. “I can’t see myself any-where else; Tarleton is a big university with a small town feel.”

Martinez hasn’t slowed down yet; he is working to-ward a double major in agricultural communication and Span-

ish. Other than all the time and effort he puts into both degrees, Martinez is very involved on the Tarleton campus. He is the fundraising committee chairman for the college of agriculture and human sciences’ agricultural ambassadors, vice president of the agricultural communicators of tomorrow and a member of the horticulture club.

Last year, Martinez traveled to Costa Rica on a study abroad program with Wilmara Harder, assistant professor in the department of agricultural services and development, to study Costa Rican agriculture and farming methods.

“Dario had never been in an airplane or to the beach,” said Harder. “I believe the international experience really changed his American perspective.”

Martinez continued his international experiences with a trip to Croatia to study the aquaculture and farming in the summer of 2009.

Martinez works hard for his education, at one point holding three jobs to pay for college. Martinez works for The Texas Dairy Review newspaper where he designs layouts and creates the classified section. He has been there for 18 months and loves his job, putting together the newspaper. Martinez is also employed by the university to work in the department of agricultural services and development office.

After college, Dario is not exactly sure what he wants to do. He thoroughly enjoys the public relations area of communication; one option is to work in media, such as a spokesperson for the United States Department of Agriculture. Eventually, he would like to own his own newspaper.

With an American education behind him, and the wide-open spaces in front, Martinez is truly living his own

American dream.

Martinez continues to explore the world. In 2008, he traveled to Costa Rica to learn about agricultural practices, and then explored

Croatia in 2009.

As an agricultural communication major, Martinez learns about photography and other skills, and isn’t afraid to teach those skills to other “recruits.”

5

Walking down the halls of Wisdom Gym and entering the department of human sciences is something not many agricultural majors do on a regular basis; but

now, with new degree requirements, this is becoming more the norm, rather than the exception.

Agricultural services and development majors are now required to take a food processing class to fulfill degree requirements. Many students graduating from Tarleton State University and going into the teaching and extension profes-sion need greater exposure to the food preparation and technol-ogy side of the agricultural industry before entering a chosen career.

“We have a large number of jobs that are open in the foods industry, and adding this class seemed to be a good fit to help prepare our students for these jobs,” said David Drueck-hammer, agricultural services and development professor and department head.

In agricultural courses, many students are taught where food comes from, but not necessarily how it is produced into the final product consumers buy at the stores.

“Often, employers want an understanding of produc-tion, but they also desire some knowledge of processing,” said Drueckhammer.

Also, much of the media surrounding agricultural com-modities is centered on food issues and crises. Because of this dynamic, agricultural communication students are well served in this class so that they can better understand the processes and communicate them to the general public.

Many promising features are arising from the food processing class, but one of the most promising is that students from two departments are coming together. This class “is start-

ing to mesh human sciences and agricultural students together and giving them an opportunity to network,” said Paula McKeehan, assistant professor in the department of human sci-ences and teacher of the food processing class.

This class was originally designed for human science students, but now, because of the new degree requirements, agricultural students are pouring into the class. Of 24 students enrolled during the spring 2009 semester, only eight were hu-man science majors.

A variety of topics were discussed in the food process-ing class. McKeehan decided to add a cultural component to the course where the students look at different cultures and how each utilizes and prepares food. According to McKeehan, many of the agricultural students in the class did not really know much about food from different cultures and that was a stimulating topic for them to study.

Not only were the students taught in the classroom, but they incorporated real world experiences into the laboratories by taking tours of different food processing facilities. The class toured a winery, a cheese factory and a pecan orchard; and be-fore the semester ended, they also visited the Dr. Pepper plant in nearby Dublin, Texas.

On site, the students made pickles and different kinds of cheese.

Making changes is what life is all about, and this degree change is making a positive impact on the agricultural and human science students. While the students process new experiences, they are also cultivating new networks and creat-ing connections across the disciplines.

College of agriculture and human science students: Processing food side-by-sideBy Rebecca Sanders, agricultural services and development senior

Human science and agricultural services and development students learn alongside one another the process food goes through after it leaves the production phase.

Students learn about canning, pickling, cheese making and other processes related to food in an effort to better understand food

from farm to table.

6

Students hoping to catch the eye of the Food NetworkBy Rebecca Sanders, agricultural services and development senior

Tarleton State University featured on the Food Network? Not yet, but this is something the students in the human sciences food processing course hope to achieve. The students are working hard on a piece to send to the Food Network in hopes of winning a kitchen makeover for the food preparation laboratory in Wisdom Gym.The old-fashioned kitchen area, with its avocado green and orange furniture, and cabinets that will not open, is sorely out-

dated. The idea to pitch a kitchen makeover to the network was the product of Paula McKeehan, assistant professor in the depart-ment of human sciences and teacher of the food preparation course.

“We are in need of ten new cabinets and ten new countertops, and where are we going to get the funds?” said McKeehan.Tarleton has some funding, but not enough to fully restore the drab kitchen area. While getting ready to show the food

laboratory to prospective students during Texan Tour this year, McKeehan thought, “we should see when the Food Network does kitchen makeovers and see if they would give us one.”

McKeehan previously looked into the idea and found that, at this point in time, they are not currently taking applications for kitchen makeovers, but that is not going to stop this determined faculty member, as well as her hardworking class.

McKeehan completely revamped her schedule for her food processing laboratories and devoted the semester to getting this project underway. She and her eager students are going to try and pitch it as a special show.

The members of the class took on such roles as researchers, producers, videographers and photographers, just to name a few. The task of the production group was to determine how to appeal to the Food Network and how to get the video on the desk of the popular cable channel, as well as what exactly the network should know about Tarleton.

“We can contribute money and we’re not ‘poor Tarleton without any money,’” said McKeehan. “It’s just a task; this is a small department with a task and you can promote us by putting us on [the program].”

McKeehan also wants this to be a learning experience for her students, as well as something positive for the department of human sciences. She thought ahead about the prospect of having the network’s designers work with the students in the interior design department on designing the kitchen in the food laboratory.

Her dreams for the new laboratory do not stop with just the Food Network. She is also asking her class if there are any other groups they would like to send the video. McKeehan knows that this show may not happen, but she is looking on the posi-tive side of things. She said that after the completion of the course, the students will know how to put together a proposal and will have given the department of human sciences a great promotional video.

What McKeehan wants more than anything is to see the students work together for a good cause and to learn many things along the way. No one knows yet if this plan will work out, but what is known is how much the amazing faculty member cares for her department and wants to see Tarleton, as well as her students, succeed.

Although this kitchen is in need of an Extreme Makeover, students in the meal management and food processing courses know that the skills learned are as timely as ever in a food science and nutrition program.

7

Immediately after graduating from high school, Heather Duvall packed her things, loaded her horse, Wolfie, into a trailer and placed Remington, the turtle, into an old tin

lunch box on the front seat next to her. She left her home in Virginia and set her sights on Stephenville, Texas, and Tarleton State University. With hopes and dreams of the future, this was just a girl, a horse and a turtle.

Knowing she wanted to attend college in Texas, Duvall scouted a list of colleges that included Tarleton, Sul Ross State University, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and the University of Texas. After a short time on campus, Duvall was certain that Tarleton was the college for which she had been searching.

“The other colleges were either too large or too isolated,” said Duvall. “The faculty and staff at Tarleton were welcoming and ready to lend a hand in any way they could.”

Since her arrival at Tarleton, Duvall not only focuses on her academic standing, but also works multiple jobs to pay for college.

“This is something that I work very hard for, and I am proud of that,” said Duvall.

Through those challenges, Duvall still finds the time and heart to begin new projects and volunteer in many differ-ent areas, touching the lives of many.

This young woman has mentored children at the Stephenville Foster’s Home teaching residents how to be suc-cessful with stock show projects. She even found time to sit and have breakfast with them.

“Miss Duvall is a student that shines bright and in-spires everyone she is around,” said Barry Lambert, head of the department of animal sciences.

Duvall’s horse was an abuse case and she has earned his trust and taught him to politely take a bow, and even to lay down and play dead. As part of her job, Duvall works with the horses used in the Tarleton Equine Assisted Therapy program.

“I have seen what she can achieve with these animals, and it’s astonishing,” said Lambert.

Lambert’s wife, Deeandra, helped found a program called Dublin Dogs to assist the animal shelter by fostering animals. Lambert mentioned this program to Duvall, and she became the first foster parent in the program. A female ser-geant in the U.S. Army, who is currently serving in Iraq, has already adopted Kaiah, Duvall’s current foster dog.

Duvall gives these dogs behavioral training and teaches them socialization skills around other dogs, people and animals.

“She is the Caesar Millan of Tarleton; when these animals come back, they display perfect behavior,” said Dee-andra. “We just can’t thank her enough for what she does; it’s a great service to others.”

Duvall has displayed determination, self-discipline and a courage that makes people stand and take notice. Duvall is a senior who will graduate in December 2009. Duval looks for-ward to a career in the cutting horse breeding industry and will likely continue to inspire others along her journey, no matter how much space they take up in the truck.

Just a girl, a horse and a turtleBy Amy Mahaney, agricultural communication junior

Duvall taking a bow with her horse, Wolfie

Duvall pictured with her horse, Wolfie, her turtle, Remington, and the newest family member, Logan

8

Most people know Mingus, Texas, if they know of it, as a little beer joint town with a rough and rowdy reputation. It has been a favorite “watering hole” for

locals and surrounding residents for many years.Despite its sordid reputation, Mingus is full of friend-

ly, caring people as rich in history as the area in which they reside. One of the local favorites is Laura Butler; an equine lover and renowned western artist.

Butler grew up as part of a ranching family and gained her inspiration for art at an early age.

“Like all little girls, I loved anything that had to do with horses,” said Butler, “and I have loved art and painting as far back as I can remember.”

She was not alone in her passions, even then. Butler’s greatest influence was an uncle who worked as a professional artist. Another strong source of inspiration were the stories she heard growing up about ranching.

“I remember sitting on my momma’s lap and listening to the stories these real cowboys would tell about their round-ups and work on the range,” said Butler.

Butler graduated high school early and became a student at Tarleton State University in the early 1970s. At that time, Tarleton did not have a degree option in art, so, in 1988, Butler received a master’s degree in English with a minor in history, and was named Outstanding Young Alumna.

She taught introductory level English courses as a graduate assistant for two years, but her passion remained with her art. In 1995, Butler was named to the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni ranks.

“I remember Butler as a student in the ’70s,” said Mark Davis, Butler’s art professor at the time. “She was full of passion, taking all the art courses she could, and showed great promise.”

Butler questioned Davis on whether she should begin focusing on more contemporary art, but Davis encouraged her to stick with what she was most passionate about, her western art. That advice was well taken by Butler, and she has flour-ished in her profession ever since.

Butler’s first big professional break happened when she was asked to display her artwork at the Brad Thompson Art Gallery in Stephenville, Texas.

“Lots of local artists got their start there,” said Davis. Today, Butler paints from her home studio in Mingus

where some of her favorite pieces are displayed. Her work is also displayed at the Monticello Gallery in Dallas.

Butler’s work is in the homes and offices of many fa-mous people and corporations, such as Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Anne Miller, Southland Corporation and the Methodist Hospital in Dallas. Some of Butler’s selected pieces have been sent on tour in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

About six years ago, Butler was named the first ever Artist in Residence to the Clyde Wells Fine Arts Center at Tarleton. She advises the students on the business end of the art industry and is always ready to lend her advice when they come to her for an opinion on their work.

“It has been a pleasure getting to know and work with Laura,” said Sharon Seelig, who has worked with Butler at the Clyde Wells Art Center for the past six years. “She gives the students a connection to the realm of the studio and gallery as-pect of the business and helps them transition into the profes-sional environment.”

Butler goes deeper in her level of commitment to Tarleton’s art program. She not only helps the students with her knowledge and talent, but also donates supplies to the art center.

“Last year she donated enough canvasses to last through two full semesters,” said Davis.

In the beginning, Butler began painting with water-colors and then moved on to oil paintings. Most of the time, Butler creates her paintings from pictures she has taken with her Nikon 35 millimeter camera. She paints her favorites, but also does a lot of commission work.

“My commission work consists of people who want something specific painted, such as a family member or pet portrait, and maybe even a portrait of an old homestead,” said Butler. “It’s something personal for them.”

Two years ago Butler began painting her pictures in black and white.

“I believe the black and white exposes more of the true grit of the old west and shows cowboys doing what they’ve always done in great detail,” said Butler.

This past August, Butler’s work was displayed at the Clyde Wells Fine Arts Center, focusing on her new black and white’s.

“Butler’s work is always included in the faculty ex-hibits, but we try to plan at least one exhibit in-between those for Laura’s works,” said Seelig. “It gives her a more prominent role as Artist in Residence here.”

Portraying true gritBy Amy Mahaney, agricultural communication junior

Laura Butler working on a new piece in her studio in Mingus, Texas

9

Tarleton’s southwest regional dairy center provides ‘happy cow’ environmentBy Nathan Smith, agricultural communication senior

Who says that happy cows only live in California? Tarleton State University’s College of Agriculture and Human Science will soon prove that, through

the latest in state of the art technology, ‘happy cows’ will find a home here at Tarleton. The construction of the Southwest Regional Dairy Center is the most anticipated construction project of 2009, and on Feb. 27 Tarleton hosted a groundbreak-ing ceremony symbolizing the first step in the construction process.

The highly anticipated center is expected to be a pre-mier learning and research dairy serving Texas and surround-ing states. A crowd of approximately 300 gathered in support of the dairy, which will serve as the dairy of research and learning for the Texas A&M University System. The center will be completed in a multiple phase process said Don Caw-thon, dean of the college of agriculture and human sciences.

“Our goal is to begin stocking the dairy in January, maybe February 2010, and begin milking then,” Cawthon said. “There will be more than one phase to the dairy. The first phase will include a rotary parlor, several teaching labs, a classroom, a few offices and a 300-cow capacity.”

The second phase will include increasing the herd capacity up to 600 cows and constructing a creamery that will produce dairy products such as cheese, milk and ice cream.

The official ceremony included a seemingly happy “Annie” who is one of the university’s current dairy cows. She was harnessed to a vintage 1940s plow with Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio at the reins. Afterward, President Dot-tavio was given the opportunity to milk his first cow. Dottavio is skeptical about his future plans as a dairy farmer

“Let me say only that, if I were a dairyman, the indus-try would be in a great deal of trouble,” Dottavio said.

The center will serve the entire southwest region of the United States, and will be designed to accommodate many research projects.

“We plan to open the dairy center up to other uni-versities in the region so that they may also be able to use it for research and learning opportunities,” said Barry Lambert, head of the department of animal science and a dairy science specialist. “We are working with others in the design phase so it will be useful to other universities and other groups, includ-ing industry.”

Dottavio clearly expressed that the project will benefit Tarleton in several ways. The first area he mentioned is re-search capabilities.

“Tarleton is in a transition from a university as we have been over the last several decades to one which has a much more active research program,” Dottavio said. “The dairy center is going to be a very focused and dedicated facility we will have that will integrate teaching, learning and re-search.”

In addition to traditional dairy science research, other research applications anticipated at the center include business, engineering, medical, animal behavior, labor management, energy recovery from agricultural wastes and environmental

sciences. The facility will also serve as a center for agricultural undergraduate research.

Through a sophisticated animal identification system, students and faculty will be able to closely observe cows and keep accurate records concerning their production, behavior and health.

Make no mistake, at the comple-tion of the Southwest Regional Dairy Center, happier cows won’t be found anywhere else.

Tarleton State University President, F. Dominic Dottavio, jumped in with both hands milking his first dairy cow at the groundbreaking.

Dignitaries from the university and beyond dig in to break the ground for the new dairy center.

10

Tarleton State University alumnus, Randy Looper, is going above and beyond his duty as a Grandview High School agricultural science teacher.In August 2008, the Score-a-Goal-in-the-Classroom

program and the Mesquite Rodeo presented Randy Looper with the Bayard H. Friedman Chesapeake Energy Hero Award, for being an outstanding agricultural science teacher in North Texas.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton in agricultural education, Looper knew he wanted to be an agri-cultural science teacher while he was still in high school.

“My ag teacher made a big impression on me,” said Looper.

Looper was involved in FFA in high school exhibiting steers, competing in chapter conducting, radio broadcasting and poultry judging. He was also district FFA president and an area FFA officer. In college he was a member of the Collegiate FFA and the Alpha Zeta honorary agricultural organization. While in his graduate studies, Looper was voted as a graduate representative to the student senate.

After graduating Tarleton with his master’s degree in 1980, he began his teaching career in the Goose Creek Con-solidated Independent School District at Robert E. Lee High School. In 1990, Looper moved with his wife and two sons to Grandview, Texas, where he began teaching agriculture.

Nineteen years later, Looper is still inspiring students in the world of agriculture.

“Mr. Looper does an excellent job in leadership with the students,” said Keith Scharnhorst, Grandview Independent School District superintendent. “He is teaching the students to be ready to go into the working world.”

Looper puts in many long hours at early morning chapter conducting practices, meats judging laboratories, driv-ing students to leadership and judging contests, helping clip steers and pigs for stock show season and participating in the state FFA and national FFA conventions each year. Looper is committed to agriculture and his students.

“His leadership helps kids be successful in the future,” said Joe Perrin, Grandview High School principal.

For the 2009–2010 school year, Looper was selected by his peers to be the Area 8 chairman for the FFA scholarship committee board, which awards students scholarships for FFA member involvement and achievements.

With his commitment and dedication to his students, and Grandview’s agricultural program, there is no question that Randy Looper is a role model for his students and that he is deserving of such a prestigious award.

Tradition of excellenceBy Ashton Brown, agricultural communication senior

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Attending Tarleton State University is a choice many students have made and, for some, that was a rather easy decision. When the students in Roger Wittie’s

agricultural freshman seminar class explained this decision in essay form, the answers were as diverse as the terrain in Texas.

Wittie, head of the department of agronomy, agribusi-ness, horticulture and range management, assigns this essay every semester to gain a better understanding of who is coming to Tarleton and the path that brought them here. His reasoning for this is to help the students form goals to achieve while they are attending Tarleton.

Two of this past spring’s students had particularly interesting stories to tell.

Kristen Harvey’s eyes lit up and a huge smile crossed her face at the mention of Tarleton. Harvey, 18, first heard of Tarleton when she was involved with a junior high lamb clinic at the university agricultural center. When choosing colleges, Tarleton was actually not Harvey’s first choice, but, after one visit to the campus for Texan Tour, she changed her mind quickly.

“I remember telling my mom at the end of the day, ‘This is where I’m going. I love it’,” said Harvey.

Being from Marian, Texas, Harvey could have cho-sen to go to Texas State, which would have only been about a thirty-minute drive. Instead, for Harvey, Tarleton is just far enough away that she can feel independent, but still go home if she feels the need.

Many things drew Harvey to Tarleton’s campus, but the main perks were the size of the campus and the town of Stephenville, along with Tarleton’s reputation for producing some of the best educators in the state. Harvey’s goal is to be an agricultural science teacher because her own high school agricultural teachers inspired her.

“I want to make a difference in kids’ lives; that’s why I want to be a teacher,” said Harvey.

Harvey seems optimistic about her future at Tarleton. She is currently interviewing to be an orientation advisor and has been selected as a residential leader for 2009–2010. “I love it here, I love everything about it here,” said Harvey, laughing, “except for the dining hall food.”

One student not having to worry about dining hall food is transfer student Justin Malin. Malin, 20, came to Tarleton in fall 2008 at a friend’s urging to enroll for class. After high school graduation, he worked at the library in his hometown of Splendora, Texas. He then decided that he would like to at-tend college and signed up for classes at Lone Star College in Kingwood. He said he never visited Tarleton’s campus before

making his way to Stephenville to start the semester. Malin just came on faith and hope that this would be the right decision for him.

Thankfully, Tarleton was the right choice for Malin. He loves that the people are open and welcoming and that he, “fit right in.” Being from a small town himself, Tarleton’s small campus appeals to him. He likes the fact that, while walking around campus, he runs into familiar faces of people he knows and peers with whom he has class.

Malin also appreciates that Tarleton is a relatively in-expensive university, since he is paying for most of his school-ing.

This is a young man with big dreams. Malin is a wild-life management major because hunting is, “something I’ve enjoyed doing since I was a little kid,” said Malin. He hopes to manage a game ranch someday, as well as having one of his own.

Tarleton continues to stand out as the primary choice for students who want to make a difference and be leaders in agriculture and human sciences. For these two students, it is not just the beginning of an educational journey, but also the beginning of an exciting life journey.

Small enough, far enough; Tarleton State University is a perfect fitBy Rebecca Sanders, agricultural services and development senior

Harvey and Malin successfully make their way at Tarleton.

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Destiny of TarletonBy Ashton Brown, agricultural communication senior

Before dawn, buses fill the parking lots with students anxious about the day. Clipboards at their side and pencils in hand, they step onto Tarleton State

University soil.Tarleton boasts hosting the largest one-day FFA Career

Development Event in the country. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, and countless hours of preparation, each year thousands of students walk the grounds of Tarleton for one day of competition.

Tarleton has been hosting CDEs for more than 65 years and, with the dedication and love of the organization, students from Alpine to Amarillo, come together to compete against their peers in a field they love, agriculture.

The rich history of this partnership started small, with only an area FFA contest. In 1972, the first Tarleton Invita-tional took place, and shortly after, Tarleton began hosting the State CDE in land, range and dairy. Tarleton has been recog-nized as the host of the state competition officially for 28 years now, and the event continues to grow.

Each year, Tarleton hosts three FFA career develop-ment events: the Tarleton Invitational, Area and State contests. According to Chrissy Daniel, graduate assistant in the depart-ment of agricultural services and development, more than 500 schools, and approximately 5,777 students from across the state, competed at Tarleton’s career development invitational in 2009.

Tarleton is able to provide scholarships for FFA stu-dents who attend the events. At the invitational, the dean of the college of agriculture and human sciences awarded $500 schol-arships to 14 students, while the state contest provided $1000 scholarships to eight distinguished students.

Hosting the CDEs gives Tarleton a leg up in the recruitment process. With such a large number of students from all across the state on campus, our administration looks forward to students walking around and seeing what Tarleton is all about. Many incoming freshmen say that coming to Tarleton for an FFA CDE is what made them want to come here.

“A benefit about the contest is it gives us those stu-dents that we wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Ted Ford, agri-cultural services and development associate professor.

Along with FFA CDEs, Tarleton also hosts 4-H events. Each year, approximately 400 to 700 participants are on cam-pus for the 4-H contest. About 60% of the 4-H members who attend are junior members coming to compete in competition, giving Tarleton a younger crowd from which to draw.

Without advances in technology, Tarleton’s invitational would not be what it is today.

“Our willingness to go out on a limb and embrace computer technology using electronic scanning and scoring has allowed us to do so much more,” said Ford.

The college of agriculture and human sciences has come a long way in providing FFA and 4-H students with such a successful contest.

Many FFA students and 4-H members have walked the halls of Tarleton, clipboards and pencils in hand for a day they might always remember. As evening falls, the buses fill again with accomplishment and disappointment as they head home into the sunset.

FFA members from across Texas await the official start of their Career Development Event at the Tarleton Agricultural Center.

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The healing power of plantsby Austin Keesee, agricultural services and development senior

Assisting with the needs of those with disabilities and bettering a community are goals shared by many, but one Tarleton State University student is taking action.Sarah Barmore, a horticulture major at Tarleton, is at-

tempting to introduce a little-known concept of therapy, known as horticultural therapy, to a larger audience. Horticultural therapy is by no means a new concept, but one that is slowly gaining popularity across the United States. In this form of therapy, those involved are introduced to simple gardening practices or even simple interaction with plants. By doing this, those involved begin to improve simple motor skills lost due to a past medical problem, and begin to form a bond with the work they are performing.

As of right now, Tarleton does not offer a degree plan nor a horticultural therapy program. However, with the proven success of other rehabilitative programs at Tarleton, Barmore’s dream of establishing a horticultural program here may well become a reality.

“The first step is to bring knowledge of horticultural therapy to Tarleton,” said Barmore. Beginning last April, Bar-more introduced the first in a three-part series on horticultural therapy. Barmore encouraged everyone from an agricultural major to a nursing major to attend this series as a means to learn more about horticultural therapy.

“The most important thing is the enthusiasm,” said Manon Shockey, manager of the Tarleton Horticulture Center. “This program is one in which anyone who is interested in helping people can become involved.”

As with most new programs in higher education, the need for more funding and facilities in an effort to ensure the success of this program is a concern.

Currently, there are no universities in Texas that of-fer horticultural therapy as a degree plan. What Barmore and Shockey hope for is that Tarleton becomes the first university in Texas to offer such a degree.

“Stephenville not only is prime for this program, Stephenville also needs this program,” said Barmore. With the presence of numerous rehabilitation centers and assisted living centers in Stephenville, there could not be a better suited area for this program to emerge.

Passion for a cause, with motivation and desire to fol-low through, is oftentimes noted as lacking in today’s college students. In the case of Barmore, though, there is none more passionate than her for horticultural therapy. Barmore attri-butes this deep-set passion to her work at the Rockhouse, the Lighthouse and her love of the Earth. Barmore plans to pursue this dream until she sees it become a reality at Tarleton and she encourages anyone who has either an interest in horticulture or helping people to become involved.

Sarah Barmore is striving to extend Tarleton’s reach through innovation in horticultural programs.

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