Ag Day 1999

UMD AG DAY 1999

74th Annual Ag Day

Theme: “Agriculture: Not Just Cows and Plows”

Dedication: Dr. Richard Ahrens

We will say goodbye at the end of this semester to Dr. Richard Ahrens, a retiring professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science. In his final semester efore retirement, Dr. Ahrens has a teaching load of three classes, as well as being advisor to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Student Council. Dr. Ahrens has been a faculty member at the University of Maryland for thirty-three years. He was integral in the establishment of the graduate program in nutrition, and at one point he was the only male faculty member in the department.

There are numerous accomplishments of Dr. Ahrens that deserve mention. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Kenya in 1987, and earned the Certificate of Teaching from the Center for Teaching Excellence in 192. He then earned the Excellence in Instruction Award from the College of Agriculture in 1993. Away from UMCP, Dr. Ahrens has been a visiting lecturer in the Nutrition Department at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London, England. He has also been a visiting professor in the Home Economics Department of Egerton University in Njoro, Kenya. Eight Ph.D. students and forty-seven Masters Degree students have been advised by Dr. Ahrens. He has taught over sixteen different courses ranging from introductory nutrition to graduate level nutrition classes. He has published 43 journal articles, and 7 book chapters. Needless to say, Dr. Ahrens has positively touched the lives of many people.

Dr. Ahren’s strong support of students is apparent in his commitment to teaching as well as his participation in numerous campus organizations. He is generous with his time and makes himself available to students. His gift of storytelling is incorporated effectively into his teaching to provide students with better understanding.

It is with much appreciation and gratitude that we dedicate the 1999 Agriculture Day to Dr. Richard Ahrens.

Block and Bride Club Livestock Show

SWINE FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Dr. Tom Hartsock

Student Coach: Sarah Schneider-Firestone

Class 1

Avery Straw

Phil Trice

Aimee Hocker

Carrie Massey

Class 2

Shelley Armour

Michelle Bartles

Chris Margolis

Class 3

Katie Dixon

Daniela Bals

Jennifer Barnard

Brian Schnebly

Class 4

Heidy Drury

Mary Ellen Seraydian

John Bachman

Shirley Swink

Class 5

Tanya Simmons

Rachel Dayton

Sarah Schneider-Firestone

SHEEP FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Jordan Thomas

Student Coach: Marisol Ponte

Class 1

Autumn Ashby

Erin Parsoneault

Aimee Hocher

Leah Katz

Class 2

Aimee Reis

Rachel Black

Lindsey Callahan

Class 3

Phil Trice

Shelly Armour

Kathy Parker

Tonya Simmonds

Class 4

Rita Ulrich

Angela Constantino

Chrissy Gittings

DAIRY HEIFER FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Dr. Lee Majeskie

Student Coach: Brian Schnebly

Class 1

Angela Constantine

Giselle Soriano

Kristina Spaid

Sarah Spaid

Class 2

Shelly Armour

Randi Douton

Chrissy Gittings

Class 3

Marisol Ponte

Rita Ulrich

Sarah Schneider-Firestone

Jennifer Bilheimer

Class 4

Jessica Fritz

Katie Dixon

Mark Schnebly

BEEF FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Dr. Scott Barao

Student Coaches: Daniela Bals and Jennifer Barnard

Class 1

Rachel Dayton

Jennifer Shupe

Class 2

Daniela Bals

Jennifer Barnard

FACULTY SWINE FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Regina Crawmer

Dr. Majeskie

Dr. Andrew Baldwin

Dr. Erdman

Dr. Douglas

KISS THE PIG PARTICIPANTS

Dr. Erdman

Dr. Majeskie

Dr. Mcintosh

Dr. Douglas

Dr. Baldwin

LIVESTOCK SHOW SPONSORS

Dr. Lee Majeskie

Sire Power

Dr. Mark Varner

Livestock Show Judges

Dairy Judge – Jeff Semler

Jeff Semler lives in Clear Spring, Maryland with his wife Kari and two daughters Jessica and Kayla. Jeff is currently an extension agent in Washington County and has previously served in the same position in Harford and Baltimore Counties. Jeff received hi Bachelor of Science degree at West Virginia University and his Masters at the University of Connecticut, he coached the collegiate diary judging team for both the two year and the four year programs and they were successful at the national level. Jeff has been an assistant coach for both the 4-H and collegiate diary judging teams. He and Dr. Lee Majeskie coached the 1995 National Champion 4-H Team that went on the compete in the international competition in Scotland

Swine Judge – Barry Roach

Barry Roach is a 1975 graduate of the University of Maryland where he received a Bachelor of Art Degree in Government and Politics. After graduating, Mr. Roach decided to pursue a farming career and went on to receive a second degree from West Virginia University in Resource Management. He graduated as Outstanding Graduate in Resource Management. At WVU, Mr. Roach gained an interest in swine after taking several broad-based agriculture classes. For the last 20 years Mr. Roach has been involved in farming and raising swine. He is currently employed with the Lundeberg School of Seamanship where he maintains the government owned farm where cattle, hogs, grain, and hay are raised. Mr. Roach has been actively involved in the 4-H program for the past seven years, working with the swine project along with his children. Mr. Roach lives in St. Mary’s County where he continues to raise swine with his family.

Beef Judge – Graden Ripley

Graden Ripley grew up in Anne Arundel County where he raised and showed beef cattle. He was also an active member in the 4-H program. After high school, Graden attended Cornell University where he majored in Animal Science. Graden continues to volunteer in the 4-H program as a coach for the Howard County 4-H livestock judging team. Graden has judged beef at both the local and state levels.

Sheep Judge – Jennifer Woodward – Greene

Jennifer graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland College Park in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences. She was raised on a sheep farm and is a former Maryland Lamb and Wool Queen. She and her husband met shearing sheep and sheared sheep together for 10 years across the state of Maryland. She is currently a graduate student in the Department of animal and Avian Sciences at UMCP. Her current research project is focusing on nitrogen conservation within the diary cow. Jennifer and her husband Stuart live in Woodbine, Maryland with their two daughters, Amy 14 and Amanda 12, in addition to a few sheep, a rabbit and a dog.

Agriculture Student Council

The Agriculture Student council is a service group consisting of representatives from all agricultural clubs at the University of Maryland. Its purposes are to coordinate activities of the member clubs, to promote agricultural public relations, and to establish and develop interaction among students, faculty, administrators and alumni. In addition, the Ag Student council promotes the welfare and betterment of physical conditions and academic programs on campus for agricultural students.

Two representatives are elected to serve from each student club and officers of the Council are elected to 1-year terms from among these representatives. This year’s Ag Student Council members are:

Officers

President: Erin Thomas

1 ^st Vice President: 1 ^st Semester – Dori Thompson, 2 ^nd Semester – Tara Klimovitz

2 ^nd Vice President: James Adkins

Treasurer: Bernie Schultz

Secretary: Sophie Pratola

Historian: Jennifer Bilheimer

Agriculture Day Committee

Ag Day Coordinator – Ag Council 2 ^nd Vice President

Space Allocations/Permits – Alpha Zeta

Livestock Shows – Animal Husbandry Club

Program Booklet – BRES-ASAE

Clean Up – Poultry Science Club

Invitations-Posters – Agronomy Club

Procurement and Moving – Alpha Gamma Rho

Publicity – Veterinary Science Club

Entertainment – Equestrian Club

A special thanks goes to the following individuals and organizations who helped to make today a success!

Dr. Ahrens

Dr. Majeskie

Jordan Thomas and the Barn Crew

Dr. Westhoff and the ANSC Department

Gary Seibel

Ag Alumni Association

Sheila Brown

Donna Walther

Dr. Nepote

Dr. Barao

Dr. McIntosh

Gail Yeiser

Dean Fretz

Elizabeth Martin

Dr. Hartsock

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Department Chairs James Adkins, Dan Shimko, Linda Moy

Ag Council Officers and Members

Members of the Community and University for providing displays and support

Clubs of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Club chairpersons and committees

Livestock Coaches

Pepsi Cola Bottling Company

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 03/9/2009