Fall 2017 Christmas Child - utm.edu

News for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

CChristmas Child

Fall 2017

More Photos, page 2

Groups join to make‘Operation’ successful

CAAS Correspondent • Fall 2017 • Page 2

At the annual Operation Christmas Child packing

party, held in November, 54 UTM students participated

and packed 168 shoeboxes for underpriviliged

children.

The students represented General Studies 101 and 15 organizations – Agronomy Club, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Black Student Association, Chi Omega, Iota Phi Theta, League of Striving Artists, Mu Epsilon Delta, Omega Psi Phi, Psychology Club, Rotaract, Sigma Gamma Rho, Student Government Association, University Scholars, and Zeta Tau Alpha.

Christmas Child

(continuedfrom page 1)

Outstanding employeeCarrie Arant was honored Oct. 11 as one of two recipients

of the fall 2017 UTM Outstanding Employee Awards, which recognize outstanding service to the university and are presented each fall and spring semester during the Clerical and Support Staff Coffee, an appreciation event for UTM employees.

Arant, of Sharon, is the business manager for the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources. She came to the university in April 2009 and has held her current position since March 2014. Arant processes invoices, travel and payroll; coordinates faculty and staff searches; and maintains and balances all department, gift and grant accounts. She is known for her work ethic, organizational skills and positive attitude.


Corrie Campbell, The Pacer

UTM students enrolled in Gerontology 312: Caregiving in Late Life hosted Cupcakes for Caregivers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the Paul Meek Library.

The event was held partly in recognition of November being National Caregiver Month.

Dr. Keith Dooley, the professor of Gerontology 312, required his students to complete a caregiver resource project. After brainstorming ideas, the students decided to host the cupcake event as a way to give back to caregivers and thank them for their hard work.

The students had watched a TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Talk earlier in the semester which mentioned that over 40 million people had this full-time, often unpaid, job of being a caregiver.

“Caregiving can be a thankless job and it’s a job many people fall into. I feel like it’s important to show appreciation,” said Gaye Coleman, a senior Gerontology major, who assisted with the event.

The students hosting the event partnered with the West Tennessee Association for Children’s Early Education student group. A table was prepared and decorated with information about caregiving, stickers,

cupcakes, and clocks.The clocks were used to represent the

theme “Caregivers around the Clock.”The cupcakes were distributed to

faculty, staff and even students who were caregivers or knew caregivers. An email was sent out by Dooley earlier that day to inform faculty and staff about the event. The cupcakes used at the event were donated by a Martin, Tennessee, business, Lala’s Cakes & Sweet Treats.

“Caregivers do so much for the loved ones that they care for,” said Kalena Borman, a senior Nursing major. “I think it’s nice to say you’re doing a big job and you’re doing great at it.”

From left, UTM Family and Consumer Sciences students Taylor Pruett, Deonza Turner and Kalena Borman give cupcakesaway tocaregivers in thePaul Meek Library. Below, students join Martin Mayor Randy Brundige to sign an official declaration of November as Family Caregivers Month in the City of Martin. Pictured from left are Kalena Borman, Taylor Pruett, Gaye Coleman, Brundige, Deonza Turner, and Dr. Keith Dooley, assistant professor of Gerontology. | Pacer photo and provided photo

Studentshold eventto honorcaregivers


University Relations

Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, chair holder for the Gil Parker Chair of Excellence in Agriculture and Natural Resources, is the Featured Faculty Scholar for the 2017 fall semester.

Mehlhorn also serves as graduate program coordinator in agriculture and natural resources, director of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences and is professor of agricultural economics. A reception was held in his honor Nov. 16 in the Paul Meek Library.

The Featured Faculty Scholar Award began in the 1996-97 academic year and recognizes faculty whose research and creative works are chosen to be

among the most prestigious of those produced by individuals at UTM.

Dr. Rich Helgeson, the university’s interim provost, has known Mehlhorn since 2003 when he (Mehlhorn) first arrived at the university.

“The thing that I’ve always noticed about Joey every time I’ve seen him … is he’s like a magnet for students,” Helgeson said. “He’s really good with students.”

Mehlhorn expressed gratitude for the recognition and credits those around him for his success.

“I am especially thankful to all of my colleagues and students who have helped me develop research ideas and turning those ideas into published works,” Mehlhorn said in an email

statement. “I owe all of my success to the fact that I work with great people who are always willing to help me.”

Mehlhorn received his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Mississippi State University, all in Agricultural Economics. His scholarly interests include agribusiness management, experiential learning, online teaching methods and farm management.

Selections of Mehlhorn’s professional work are on display in the university’s Paul Meek Library and open to the public for viewing. His name will also be added to a plaque permanently displayed in the library.

Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, chair holder for the Gil Parker Chair of Excellence in Agriculture and Natural Resources, is recognized as the Featured Faculty Scholar for the 2017 fall semester. A reception was held in his honor Nov. 16 in the Paul Meek Library. Presenting the plaque is Dr. Rich Helgeson, interim provost, and joining Helgeson and Mehlhorn for the presentation is Dr. Todd Winters, dean, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

Mehlhorn honored as featured scholar


Mark your calendars!Who: Dr. Stan Dunagan, professor of GeologyWhat: 10-day travel studyWhen: May 2018Where: Washington, Oregon and Northern CaliforniaHow: Contact Dr. Dunagan at [email protected]

Open to all majors, graduates, friends of UTM, etc.!

The Eta Alpha Chapter of the Sigma Gamma Epsilon Earth Sciences Honor Society attended the 45th Biennial SGE Convention in Charleston, Illinois, with two delegates attending.

Chapter president and Geology senior Amy McLemore represented UTM and served on the Chapter Affairs National Committee. Geology major and SGE alternate William

Bratton attended as well, serving on the COMPASS and Finance Committee.

Dr. Michael A. Gibson in the Geology program at UTM was re-elected for a fourth consecutive two-year term to serve as the Southeastern Region SGE Vice President.

The convention featured a field trip to study surrounding geological sites. While on the field trip, McLemore

discovered unusual fossil specimens of the stem of ancient crinoids approximately 310 million years old.

In collaboration with another SGE student from Weber State, SGE delegate Orana Paullus, McLemore and Gibson presented findings about the fossil parasite at the 2017 Tennessee Academy of Science meeting on the UTM campus.

Convention trip leads to fossil discovery


The Tennessee Academy of Science held its 127th annual meeting Nov. 17 at UTM.

The daylong meeting opened with registration at 7:30 a.m. in the Boling University Center and continued in designated meeting rooms throughout the facility. The event concluded that afternoon with technical sessions and business meetings.

A meeting highlight involved poster presentations, which began at 8:30 on the university center’s second floor. Dr. Wes Totten, chair of the UTM Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, offered a general welcome at 10:30 in Watkins Auditorium, followed by the plenary program moderated by Dr. J. Allyn Smith, an Austin Peay State University faculty member.

Dr. Sandy Mehlhorn, associate professor in the Department of

Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources, is the academy’s president-elect. She says the academic community benefits by bringing scientists together from around Tennessee and that the meeting “promotes collaboration and innovation within our state.”

Mehlhorn added, “Tennessee has an amazing group of teachers and researchers in science, and it’s just nice to showcase their work.”

According to the organization’s official website, the Tennessee Academy of Science was founded in 1912 and has provided direction for Tennesseans on many science issues. The academy organizes symposia, manages ongoing programs in many fields and communicates with the national scientific culture. The TSA is affiliated with two national societies and seven Tennessee societies.

Learn more about the TSA at tennacadofsci.org.

Science academy meets at UTM

Dr. Sandy Mehlhorn


ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING – Members of the FCS Advisory Council and FCS faculty held their annual meeting on Nov.15 to discuss accomplishments and upcoming events in the department. The Advisory Council members also served as interviewers for the FCS 400 (Senior Seminar) students’ mock job interviews. Pictured from left are (front row) Christy Baumgardner, Cathy Waggoner, Leanne Snider, Beverly Shelby, and (back row) Dr. Lisa LeBleu, Dr. Amy Richards, Tim Brady, Kelly Tivey, Carrie Brawley, and Dr. Keith Dooley.

Cassie Cain, pictured below right, an Agriculture major and pre-med student from Dowelltown, Tennessee, was one of three students recognized Nov. 30 for successfully completing UTM’s Ned Ray McWherter Institute program.

The three-year NRMI program selects second-year students from different disciplines and helps them connect with mentors both within and outside of the university, increase their awareness of domestic and international culture, and engage in business and public-service activities.

Pictured with Cain are, top, Kaylee Schmittou, a Health and Human performance major from Hohenwald, and Dr. Keith Carver, UTM chancellor; and, below left, Savannah Ducker, an Engineering major from Memphis. All three women graduated Dec. 16 during the university’s fall commencement exercises.

McWherter Institutestudents honored


Extracurricularactivity?

UTM Chancellor Keith Carver and CAAS Dean Todd Winters got in on the action

during an ROTC rappelling exercise off the EPS Building at UTM. | Photos

courtesy University Relations


Members attend the Tennessee State Breakfast hosted by the Tennessee FFA Foundation and State Officer Team. Seated are the State Officer attending UTM, (L to R) Allie Jo Shankle, West TN State VP, Mary Lane Minatra, Middle TN State VP, Will Gregory, State Treasurer, and Julia Knaggs, State President.

Collegiate FFA Sentinel, Ivie Ann Anderson, recruits Tennessee FFA members to UTM at the UTM Collegiate FFA booth in the Trade Show.

National FFA convention

More Photos, page 9


UTM Collegiate FFA is one

of hundreds of college

and industry booths at

National FFA Convention.

Members that attend with UTM enjoy

meeting with students and

promoting the University.

Collegiate FFA members attend agriculture education workshops throughout convention. Pictured are members with UTM Alumnus Allie Ellis after a National FFA Alumni Involvement Workshop.

Convention (continued from page 8)


Throughout the fall 2017 semester, many high school students competed in career development events, such as the West Tennessee FFA Land Judging career development event and the West Tennessee FFA Livestock Judging Contest.

The Land Judging event was held Oct. 3. Teams from all around West Tennessee came to compete and evaluate four land sites (photos above and at left).

Then, on Nov. 2, high school FFA members came to evaluate different breeds of livestock at the UTM Ned McWherter Agriculture Pavilion.

These career development events helped students to build critical thinking skills and allowed them to see the UTM campus.

UTM hosts high school FFA competitions


From Oct. 9-12, teams from a number of universities gathered to compete in the Southeast Regional Collegiate Soil Judging contest at UTM. Students had 12 pits that they could judge to practice and gain familiarity with West Tennessee soil. On Thursday, Oct. 12, students competed by judging four pits. The top five teams will be going on to compete in the National Competition in spring 2018. The five teams are: 5th Place – Tennessee Technological University, 4th Place – West Virginia University, 3rd Place – Virginia Tech, 2nd Place – Clemson University, and 1st Place – University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Regional soil judging contest held at UTM



The American Farmer traveling art exhibition was featured through Oct. 17 in the UTM J. Houston Gordon Museum, located inside the Paul Meek Library.

The American Farmer exhibit consists of 45 portraits by American photographer Paul Mobley and portrays the geographic and cultural diversity of the American farmer. The portraits are accompanied by anecdotes and memories in the farmers’ own words that convey both the hardships and joys of American farming.

Mobley has traveled from Alaska to Croatia for his various projects. His first book, “American Farmer: Portraits from the Heartland,” was published in 2008 and received the 2009 Western Heritage Award for best photography book from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

For more information, contact the J. Houston Gordon Museum at 731-881-7464.

INTERNS COMPLETE DIETETICS PROGRAM – Nine students completed the UTM Dietetics Internship Program, which will allow them to sit for the national licensing exam to become registered dietitians. Pictured are (seated, from left) Rachael Dill of Murfreesboro; Angel Billingsley of Columbia; Andrea Richardson of Jackson; Allison Roland of College Grove; (standing) Brian Carroll, lecturer of Nutrition and director of the Dietetics Internship Program; Laurie Johnson of Chattanooga; Amber Buckner of Brush Creek; Lisa Plunk of Chapel Hill; Halle Hudson of Marietta, Ga.; and Lacy McCaig of Trenton.

Exhibit features American farmers


Fall Fest 2017

The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences held its annual Fall Fest college

picnic on Sept. 18, 2017. Faculty, staff, students

and guests of the college gathered to eat, visit and

check out the displays set up by student organizations affiliated with the academic

disciplines within the college. At right, CAAS

Dean Todd Winters talks to faculty.

Above left, Emalee Buttrey and Scott Parrott talk to former Ag Dean Jim Byford and his wife, Daryl Byford. Above, William Huber mans the ROTC table. At left, Jeff Rogers and Craig Darroch converse as Lisa LeBleu prepares to help dish up the food.

More Photos,page 14


More Photos, page 15

Fall Fest (continued from page 13)

Student organizations


Fall Fest (continued from page 14)

Student organizations



Three cadets from the UTM Skyhawk Battalion earned the gold-level German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge during competition held in late October at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

Cadets William Thralls of Union City, Glenndon Adams of Clarksville, and Robert Mehlhorn of Martin earned the gold-level badges.

The proficiency badge is a decoration

of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, and is a foreign award approved for wear on the United States Army uniform.

ROTC cadets and U.S. Army soldiers must meet criteria in the following categories to qualify for the badge: an evaluation report, first aid course, nuclear, biological and chemical test, basic fitness test that includes three events, marksmanship skills, foot march and a 100-meter swim.

An ROTC unit was first established

at UTM in 1952, followed by the start of a four-year ROTC program in 1964. The military science program, of which ROTC is a part, includes cadets from Lane College and Union University in Jackson and Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

For more information on the military science program or the Skyhawk ROTC Battalion, contact the Department of Military Science and Leadership at 731-881-7682 or by email at [email protected].

UTM Skyhawk ROTC Battalion cadets, from left, William Thralls of Union City; Glenndon Adams of Clarksville; and Robert Mehlhorn

of Martin, earned gold-level German Armed

Forces Proficiency Badges during a

competition held in late October at the

University of Toledoin Toledo, Ohio.

Cadets earn proficiency badges at competition

Remington Burch, of Trenton, is a junior at UTM.

ROTC cadet preps for careerUniversity Relations

Remington Burch started his freshman year at the University of Tennessee at Martin two weeks later than his classmates, but not for reasons one might expect.

Burch, now preparing to start his junior year, joined the Tennessee National Guard while still in high school and was training with his unit when the UT Martin fall semester began in 2015.

“I went to basic training between my junior and senior years of high school, and then I went to my advanced training between my senior year of

high school and college. So I actually arrived at UT Martin two weeks late. It was basically test time when I got here, so I had a lot of catching up to do,” he said.

He hasn’t let the late start slow him down though, and now the Trenton native is a third-year cadet in UT Martin’s ROTC Program – known as Skyhawk Battalion – and recently completed Air Assault School at Ft. Benning, Ala. There, he learned to rappel out of helicopters, load

See Cadet, page 17


equipment into a special sling to be carried by helicopters, and inspect those slings and equipment for proper installation. He and his fellow trainees also completed almost two weeks of grueling physical and mental exertion.

“It’s actually called the 10 toughest days in the Army because you’re constantly going. Probably one of the hardest parts of Air Assault School was knowing that at any time you could be sent home – not restarted, but sent home completely – and having your buddies beside you start disappearing throughout the training because they’re going home,” he said.

“Even on the last day when we knew that all we had to do was the final 12-mile ruck march and the final inspection, even when you knew that in four hours you could have your wings, I was still worried that something would happen.”

Burch was the only UTM ROTC cadet to attend Air Assault School

this year. He received an honorable discharge from the Tennessee National Guard last fall to allow him to compete against his fellow ROTC cadets for an active duty commission upon graduation.

“Active duty is very competitive. After your third year, you go to advanced camp, and you are assessed. … Then, in the fall of my senior year, I will find out if I get active duty or not,” he said. His selection for and completion of a special program like Air Assault School will go a long way toward securing a higher cadet rank and an active duty assignment.

“They do what are called assessment points where you are assessed on everything from your GPA to your PT (physical training) score to how well you actually work with others and how well you do at advanced camp. Then they give you a number,” said Burch.

“It all depends on the needs of the Army. So if they say, ‘Ok, the top 60

percent will get active duty this year,’ … the other people would go to the reserve components.”

Burch will rank the infantry and aviation units high in his preferences, but his ultimate assignment will also depend on the needs of the Army at the time of his commission.

Being part of the ROTC Program takes dedication and discipline, traits Burch displays in abundance.

“It really comes down to how much effort you put into it,” he said. “It’s not necessarily hard because I enjoy it. I don’t see it so much as a burden but as an opportunity. Even though we have to be at PT at 6:30 every morning, Monday through Thursday, after doing it then you’re just waking up at normal time. It’s not as hard as some people would say it is if you actually want to do it.”

Burch is studying Criminal Justice and hopes to complete a 20-year military career before applying his degree in the civilian world.

Four cadets from the UTM Skyhawk Battalion received commissions as second lieutenants in the United States Army during a ceremony May 5. (l-r) Linden Scarbrough, of Union City; Todd McDunn II, of Clarksville; Blake Hazelwood, of Jackson; and Mercee Eubank, of Greenfield; received their commissions and first salutes before graduating from UTM May 6. They are pictured with Lt. Col. Lowell Howard (second from right), professor of Military Science, and guest speaker Joe Exum.

Cadet (continued from page 16)



Dr. Danny Walker, associate professor of Animal Science at UTM, received the Elsevier Award for Teaching Excellence from the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators.

The award is intended to honor those educators who are recognized by their students and colleagues as exceptional instructors. Nominations are taken from across the country, and one educator is selected every two years. The award was presented during the AVTE national symposium Aug. 4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Dr. Walker certainly deserves this award, and it is a great recognition for UT Martin and our Veterinary

Technology program,” said Dr. Jason Roberts, associate professor of Animal Science and director of UTM’s Veterinary Health Technology Program.

Several of Walker’s students and colleagues submitted nomination materials on his behalf, and the letters show the vital role he has played in the lives of many.

“This man has been probably the biggest foundation of my career. Not only did he teach me in undergrad, but he set me up for my career and helped me find my passion in life,” wrote Kelly Kennedy, a former student and now a licensed veterinary medical technician at Memphis Veterinary Specialists.

“Dr. Walker has a way of teaching

material that makes learning fun and exciting. He makes you want to learn this material instead of ‘having to’ learn the material. He makes it his personal goal to make sure everyone succeeds,” wrote Renee Stubblefield, a former student who is now an instructor in the program Walker helped establish.

UTM is one of fewer than 30 institutions in the country to offer four-year academic instruction in Veterinary Health Technology. Students who graduate from the UTM program also complete six weeks of on-site, hands-on internship experience at a regional veterinary hospital, clinic or laboratory.

For more information on program requirements, contact Roberts at [email protected].

Pictured at the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators symposium are, from left, Renee Stubblefield, UTM Veterinary Health Technology instructor; Susie Walker, wife of Dr. Danny Walker; Dr. Danny Walker, assistant professor of Animal Science and award winner; Dr. Jason Roberts, associate professor of Animal Science; and Erica Carroll and Amanda Waldon, Veterinary Health Technology instructors.

Walker honored as excellent educator

Faculty promotedUTM faculty members were honored Oct. 19 during the annual Promotion, Tenure and Faculty Awards Recognition Dinner held in Hardy M. Graham Stadium’s Champions Club. Two faculty members from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences were promoted. Dr. Rachna Tewari, pictured far left, was promoted to associate professor of Agricultural Economics. Dr. Scott Parrott, left, was promoted to professor of Agricultural Economics.


Dr. Todd Winters, professor of animal science and dean of the UTM College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, has been accepted as a fellow in the Food Systems Leadership Institute for fall 2017.

The FSLI is an executive leadership development program for academia, industry and government. The institute is a program of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, with the initial funding provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Winters began his current dean’s position on July 1, 2013, after serving as a faculty member and administrator at Southern Illinois University. He was raised on a dairy farm in Washington State and was active in 4-H and FFA. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, a master’s degree from Purdue University and his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. He served two terms on the board of directors for the Non-land-grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities and served as NARRU president in 2015-16. Winters is a 2017 graduate of UTM’s WestStar Leadership Program.

The institute enhances personal and professional development by emphasizing leadership competencies,

skills for organizational change and a broad, interdisciplinary perspective of food systems. The FSLI experience prepares scholars for upper-level leadership roles in food-system programs and to assume broader leadership responsibilities within their organizations.

During the FSLI program, scholars work with expert instructors, leadership development coaches and an upper-level mentor to help increase their leadership abilities. They meet with

university, political and industry leaders and others who have advanced to the highest leadership levels. Leadership theory is combined with practical experience, often in the context of food systems and higher education.

The first year of the two-year program includes intensive executive education-style residential learning sessions at three university locations. Scholars perform assessments to increase self-awareness of their leadership style, and the results are used to develop and implement a personal-development plan, prepared with the assistance of a professional coach. Interactive distance learning is used between residential sessions. During year two, participants apply what they have learned to develop and execute an individual leadership project.

The FSLI is dedicated to advancing and strengthening food systems by preparing a set of new leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to invent and reinvent the food systems of the future. North Carolina State University is the host site with The Ohio State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, being residential sites responsible for program implementation.

Additional information is available at fsli.org.


Winters named Food Systems fellow

Dr. Todd Winters

Faculty receive honorsUTM faculty members were honored Oct. 19 during the annual

Promotion, Tenure and Faculty Awards Recognition Dinner held in Hardy M. Graham Stadium’s Champions Club. Two faculty

members from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences were honored. Dr. Emalee Buttrey, pictured far right, assistant

professor of Animal Science, was named a Ray and Wilma Smith Endowment recipient, Dr. Paula Gale, right, professor of

Soil Science, received the Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Award.


Members of 4-H chapters across Tennessee gathered at UTM for the 94th annual 4-H Roundup on July 24-28. More than 300 delegates representing almost every county in the state participatec in the event.

“UT Martin and northwest Tennessee welcome 4-H members from around the state for this traditional event,” said Dr. Keith Carver, university chancellor. “4-H does an exceptional job preparing young people for future leadership roles. Our university is a perfect setting for hosting project competition and recognizing the accomplishments of these top 4-H members.”

The theme for 2017 4-H Roundup is “Made from Scratch.” The idea is that 4-Hers grow personally and professionally in their time with the organization and always strive to be better people.

One of the main events at Roundup is

the state finals for project competitions. 4-Hers compete in events such as public speaking, livestock and photography. The competitors have interviews with judges at Roundup, and then winners are determined based on their on-site performances as well as their project books, which have already been submitted and judged.

“Roundup provides an opportunity for our high school 4-H members to further develop their presentation skills and confidence through 4-H project interviews,” says Dr. Richard Clark, UT Extension assistant dean and department head for Tennessee 4-H. “It also serves as a venue for these youth to make memories and friendships to last a lifetime.”

Delegates also participated in All-Star Conference, the Vol State Ceremony, the election of 2018 officers and a service learning project. Roundup delegates collected items for the Target House in Memphis, which are apartments where families

receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital can stay. Other activities included visiting the Discovery Park of America in Obion County, and the awards ceremony and banquet – including scholarship presentations.

Ethan Harvill from Fentress County served as this year’s State 4-H Council President. “Roundup is by far my favorite 4-H event, and I’m looking forward to seeing friends from across the state as well as being able to compete in my project area,” he said before the event. “Whether you have a love for service or you enjoy making new friends – Tennessee 4-H Roundup and All-Star Conference have something for everyone.”

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. For more information, visit ag.tennessee.edu.


More than 300 delegates from almost every county in Tennessee gathered at UTM for the organization’s 94th annual Roundup and All-Star Conference, July 24-28. The week included competition events, the election of 2018 officers and a service learning project, as well as many social activities across the campus. The theme for the 2017 4-H Roundup was “Made from Scratch.”

4-H Roundup brought crowd to campus


TennesseeGovernor’sSchool for

AgriculturalSciences

Top, the 2017 TGSAS. Above, high school students work on various projects during their Governor’s

School experience at UTM. At right, two guest speakers who came to campus on June 8 are

pictured with Chancellor Keith Carver – Jeff Aiken, left, president of the Tennessee Farm Bureau

Federation, and Zippy Duvall, center, president of the national American Farm Bureau Federation.

June3-30,2017



Brittany Harris’ passion for animal health isn’t limited to dogs, cats and other household pets. Harris wanted to reach beyond the ordinary, and she certainly found it at Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Bay Lake, Fla.

Harris, a Memphis native and spring 2016 graduate of UTM, completed almost eight months of internship work with the park this spring, where she served as a conservation educator to help guests understand the various species housed in the facility.

“I was stationed all around Animal Kingdom spreading conservation messages and animal knowledge while conducting interactive activities with guests,” she said. “I assisted with the development and presentation of interpretive guest experiences that inspire wildlife conservation action.”

Harris also helped many guests

conquer fears of various species, including arachnids, during her time in the park.

By offering an interactive experience with these animals and providing background information on the habits and needs of each species, Harris was able to help guests understand the creatures they previously feared. She was also able to conquer her own fear of arachnids by personally caring for tarantulas and scorpions while on the job.

This experience stems from an encounter with a Disney recruiter while Harris was still a student at UTM. A member of the UTM chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, Harris joined her fellow members at a business conference in Jacksonville, Florida. It was there that she first learned of the opportunities available through Walt Disney animal

programs. Harris was studying Animal Science

but had not considered the new career options addressed in her internship. The skills she developed while at Animal Kingdom have given her a new outlook on potential fields.

“This internship has helped me with my guest services (skills) …. I was involved with hands-on animal work (before), but I didn’t think of educator or conservation as a career path until after my Disney internship,” she said.

Now, Harris is working as a dog trainer apprentice to hone her skills with companion animals and improve her training abilities. She eventually wants to become a zoo keeper and return to exotic animals on a larger scale.

Those interested in Disney internships in all fields can visit jobs.disneycareers.com and search for available positions.

Brittany Harris, a

Memphis native

and UTM graduate, is shown

working at Walt Disney

Animal Kingdom

during a post-graduation internship.

Grad finds new path with Disney experience



Two UTM students were accepted to the Farm Credit Mid-America College Leaders Scholarship Program, which provides professional development opportunities to students pursuing agricultural careers.

William Monte Singer, of Hermitage, and Kevin Alan Robertson, of Mt. Juliet, are participating in the two-year program that awards 20 students with $5,000 scholarships and learning sessions in professional growth and financial education. They were chosen based on academic performance, leadership qualities and community involvement.

“Scholarships are a direct example of our investment in the future of agriculture,” said Bill Johnson, president and CEO of Farm

Credit Mid-America. “We’re proud to support students with career aspirations in agriculture. These students, their skills and their passion for the industry inspire optimism for the future of rural communities and agriculture.”

Farm Credit also awarded scholarships to eight additional UTM students through its Customer Agricultural Scholarship program. Customer Agricultural Scholarship recipients are:

•Hannah Elizabeth Nave (Woodbury, Tennessee)

•Martin Grissom (Rock Island, Tennessee)

•John Thomas Woolfolk ( Jackson, Tennessee)

•Sarah Elizabeth Dodd (Trenton, Tennessee)

•Mary Lane Minatra (Rockvale, Tennessee)

•Olivia Grace Childress (Bogota,

Tennessee)•Molly Carpenter (Union City,

Tennessee)•Emma Rushton (Waverly,

Tennessee)Farm Credit Mid-America is

a financial services cooperative, serving the credit needs of farmers and rural residents across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee for a century. For additional information about Farm Credit Mid-America, visit www.e-farmcredit.com.

The UTM Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources Management and a Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources.

For additional information, visit www.utm.edu/departments/agnr.

William Singer, of Hermitage, left, and Kevin Robertson, of Mt. Juliet, were accepted to the Farm Credit Mid-America College Leaders Scholarship Program. The program provides professional development opportunities to students pursuing careers in agriculture.

Students get variety of scholarships


Call for newsletter items!Upcoming or completed field trip?College or department event?Organization event or fund-raiser?Student and/or faculty awards?Make sure your information and photos get the publicity they deserve by submitting them to the CAAS Correspondent!

Contact:

Debbie HunterCAAS

[email protected]

The next edition of the CAAS Correspondent will be available in May 2018.

UTM hosts ag lending schoolUTM hosted the fifth annual Mid-South School of

Advanced Agricultural Lending on Aug. 7-10. The school is sponsored by the UTM Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking and Parker Chair of Excellence in Agriculture, and participants came from Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to take part in the instructional course. Pictured are (seated, from left) Jennifer Ferris, Farm Credit Mid-America, Russellville, Kentucky; Mike Buckman, Farm Credit Mid-America, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Dr. Freddie Barnard, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, and school instructor; Cathy Crask, Farm Credit Mid-America, Lousiville; (standing) Jennifer Schlicht, program resource specialist, UTM Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking; Dr. Ross Pruitt, UTM associate professor of Agricultural Economics; Clay Billingsley, Bank3, Union City; Joe Carter, U.S. Ag-Pro, Covington; Devin Gilliam, Farm Credit Mid-America, Columbia; John Fourqurean, Farm Credit Mid-America,

Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Robert Webb, Farm Credit Mid-America, Marengo, Ohio; and Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, UTM Parker Chair of Excellence in Agriculture and school co-director. Not pictured is Amanda Beth Freeman, Ag Quest Financial Services, Martin.

Gypsum Rose specimen donatedUnion City resident Jeannine Crawford donated a large

Gypsum Rose specimen that she collected from the Saudi Arabia desert in the 1970’s to the mineral collection in the department. Mrs. Crawford also provided a large sample of desert dune sand from the same region. Gypsum Roses are considered sacred in Saudi Arabia so museum specimens are rare. These donations add a growing mineral, rock and fos-sil collection in the geology program that now spans every continent on Earth. Selected specimens are on display on the second floor of the Johnson EPS building.

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Documents

Fall 2017 Christmas Child - utm.edu