coas.siu.edu | News and Features

College of Agricultural Sciences News and Features

2012 AG INDUSTRY DAY ANNOUNCED

Once again, it is that time of year when agriculture is in the atmosphere! The 2012 Agriculture Industry Days is scheduled for Friday, April 20, 2012 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

There are plenty of exciting events scheduled, and plenty of fun for everyone to enjoy! Friday's activities start at 8:00am with the 4-H and FFA Judging Contest. Last year, over 600 grade school and high school students participated in the event. In addition to the Livestock Judging Competition, there is also a Dairy Competition and a Horticulture Competition planned.

Additional activities will include presentations, demonstrations and displays featuring all kinds of fun things for the general public. Come. Learn. Eat. Visit. Enjoy! To learn more about the 8th Annual Agriculture Industry Day, please contact the SIUC College of Agricultural Sciences at 618-453-2469.

Learn about some of the activities and events at previous Agriculture Industry Days:

· Ag Industry Day 2010: "Annual Agriculture Day is April 16" [The Saluki Times, 03/31/2010]

· Ag Industry Day 2007: "SIUC Hosts Ag Industry Day on Saturday" [Southern Spotlight, 4/18/2007]

· Ag Industry Day 2005: "Senator Obama to Keynote Ag Industry Day" [Southern Spotlight, 04/20/2005]

COLLEGE WELCOMES STUDENTS BACK FOR FALL 2011!

The College of Agricultural Sciences is proud to welcome students for Fall 2011! Enrollment is once again up! Our College is rapidly expanding as students learn about the good things we have to offer!

To learn if we have a program to fit your needs, please call us at 618-453-2469. Come and be a part of a winning team in the College of Agricultural Sciences!

· "SIU Enrolls Bumper Crop of Ag Students" [Farm Week Now, 09/11/2009]

GOOD NEWS IN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES!

We have so many good stories to tell in the College of Agricultural Sciences! To learn more news about other exciting things going on within the College of Agricultural Sciences, visit the "News and Features" sections for the following departments and specialized areas:

· Alumni and Friends

· Department of Agribusiness Economics

· Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition

· Department of Forestry

· Department of Plant, Soil and Agricultural Resources

·Gifts in the News

· Research News and Features

· Student Research Highlights

· Student Clubs and Organizations

· Student Services

· University Farms

The College of Agricultural Sciences .... "We're more than meets the eye!"

GREEN ROOF OPEN HOUSE BIG HIT!

As part of the 2011 Agriculture Industry Days at the College of Agricultural Sciences, people flocked to visit the new green roof atop the Agriculture Building. People mingled as they discussed the logistics of how the roof works and the types of plants and soil systems used on the green roof. Many were surprised to learn about the weather station and data collected that is helping professors study the new ecosystem environment on the the roof.

For additional information regarding the green roof or to schedule a tour, please contact Professor Karen Midden at the College of Agricultural Sciences at 618-453-1786.

· SIUC Green Roof to Explore Native Plantings [Green Roof Solutions, 08/17/2010]
· SIUC Ag Building Gets a Green Roof [The Southern Illinoisan, 09/23/2010]

WINTERS NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF AGRICULTURE COLLEGE

Dr. Todd A. Winters [left], Associate Dean for the College of Agricultural Sciences at SIUC, was named Interim Dean, filling a vacancy created December 31, 2009 with the retirement of Dr. Gary Minish.

Winters is looking forward to his new job as Interim Dean. "Filling Gary's shoes is a pretty tall order for anyone," Winters stated. "He has helped put the College on the right track to a bright future, and we want to keep that momentum going."

A national search for a permanent dean is slated to start shortly after the Fall Semester 2011 gets underway.

· "Winters Named Interim Dean of Agriculture College" [The Saluki Times, 03/09/2010]

CAN YOU SAY “DERECHO”?

According to the National Weather Service, a "derecho" is a "widespread and long-lived windstorm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers and thunderstorms." To the residents of Carbondale, the "derecho" that hit on May 8, 2009 was a disaster like none had ever witnessed before. Several estimates indicated the College of Agricultural Sciences was hit with over $1 million dollars in damages. The Agriculture Building sustained roof damages estimated at approximately $300,000. And University Farms lost several structures including a feed mill, service center, silos, and other farm structures.

Although the destruction was devastating, the College plans to rebuild most of the main structures. After President Obama declared the area a federal disaster area, the University is working with federal and state officials to apply for assistance with clean-up, repair, and rebuilding efforts. “Although we have experienced some devastating losses, we are looking forward to a brighter future” says Dr. Gary Minish [Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences]

·“Weather Service: Storm was a ‘Derecho’” [Southern Illinoisan, 05/16/2009]

·“Preliminary Storm Damage Estimate is $5 Million” [The Saluki Times, 05/19/2009]

·“SIUC Community Responds to Devastating Storm” [The Saluki Times, 05/19/2009]

DOCTORAL PROGRAM APPROVED

There is a long-awaited change taking place within the College of Agricultural Sciences. On December 4, 2007 the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved a Ph.D. Degree Program for the College. The College is moving forward with final planning for the program. Dr. Gary Minish, Dean, anticipates the College will strive to enroll the first students into the newly developed program in Fall 2008. To learn more about the program of study, take a look at the fact sheet for our Ph.D in Agricultural Sciences.

If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this new program, please contact the College of Agricultural Sciences at 618.453.2469. We would love to talk to you about how the College of Agricultural Sciences can help brighten your future!

· "Agriculture College Adds Doctoral Degree" [SIUC Press Release, 01/30/2008]

· "Agriculture College Adds Doctoral Degree" [Southern Spotlight, 02/06/2008]

· "Preece Named College's Graduate Studies Director" [SIUC Press Release, 05/06/2008]