producers and potentially increase their productiv-ity gives me
great joy,” Weber said.
The foundation of her education began as an undergraduate in
Agronomy-Business and Industry option. Weber said her undergraduate
work pre-pared her by emphasizing theory and application. Through
in-class projects, Weber learned how to collaborate with fellow
students and develop solu-tions for producers. Weber said the
teamwork skills she experienced on a daily basis as an
undergradu-ate were a huge benefit in preparing her for gradu-ate
school.
“As a GRA I work closely with fellow soil fertil-ity graduate
students conducting both my research as well as helping with
theirs,” Weber said. “This sense of comradeship is a direct result
of our under-graduate preparation.”
Outside of the classroom as an undergraduate Weber was a part in
the Wheat State Agronomy Club, where she served as an officer. Her
involve-ment provided her with the opportunity to attend national
meetings and even a chance to serve as the SASES National
Corresponding Secretary. Weber said these organizations allowed her
to gain friend-ships and professional contacts with people from
across the country.
After graduating this May, Weber will be work-ing as a Senior
Research Associate in drought tol-erant corn research for Pioneer
Hi-Bred, Inc. in Garden City, KS.
if
The K-State
Calendar
Alumni Highlight: Holly Weber
If you’re in agronomy, you’re family April 201
0
April 24 Open House
April 26 & 27 Orientation and enroll-ment for new transfer
students
May 7 Last Day of Classes
May 10-14 Finals
May 15 Commencement, 2:15 at Bramlage
Agronomy e-Update Briefs
The Wheat State Agronomy Club meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of
the month in Throckmorton 2002 - new members are welcome!
Department of Agronomy Kansas State University 1022 Throckmorton
Hall Manhattan, KS 66506 (785) 532-7258
www.agronomy.k-state.edu
Anhydrous ammonia can be sidedressed on corn, beginning as soon
as the rows are up and visible, and the ground is in good enough
condition that the application won’t damage seedling corn with
slabs of soil. Normally ammonia can still be applied with minimal
stalk breakage or root pruning damage until the 6-7 leaf stage of
corn, approximately 30-35 days after emergence.
Working as a student hourly worker for Dr. Dave Mengel opened up
the opportunity for Holly Weber to pursue her Master of Science in
Agronomy at Kansas State University. Dr. Mengel, her academic
advisor, offered Weber the chance to work as a Graduate Research
Assistant (GRA) in soil fer-tility research. Weber strongly advises
students interested in GRA positions to consult with their academic
advisors.
“Professors do a great job of helping students identify research
programs that are a good fit for their interests and
personalities,” said Weber. “These may not be limited to graduate
school at K-State either. Many professors have excellent contacts
with other universities and can aid in the search for opportunities
elsewhere.”
In her GRA position Weber focuses her research on evaluating
nitrogen management practices and the efficiency of nitrogen
products. Beyond con-ducting each step of the research process
Weber has the important role of presenting the informa-tion so that
producers can use it. Weber said the most enjoyable part is having
the ability to perform research that is practical and will benefit
producers in the future.
“Agriculture is my first love, so being able to help
Student Agronomist
Holly Weber
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The Department of Agronomy is planting a seed for the future of
Agronomy. The 3rd Annual Willie and the Beanstalk Contest will
conclude at the K-State Open House on April 24th. The contest
originated as a recruitment idea from Dr. Steve Thien, Professor of
Soils. Thein was search-ing for a way to involve high school
students in Open House. The competition is now advised by Dr.
Nathan Nelson and student volunteers from the Department of
Agronomy.
Willie and the Beanstalk is a competition that provides an
opportunity for those involved to learn about plant growth. Dr.
Nelson said students have the opportunity to understand all of the
factors that come together to produce a plant. The contest has
expanded to students who are K-12 because of interest from 4-H
groups. The contest is composed of individuals that are in groups
of up to three. The contest, established in 2008, has more
participants this year than the two previous years combined. By
reaching more students, the Department of Agronomy is able to bring
more individuals to campus for Open House.
“The contest gets participants involved on campus and they are
able to see the many majors that K-State has to offer,” Dr. Nelson
said.
Each group of contestants has 47 days to grow the largest
soybean plant. Contestants have to document the growing period of
the plant as a part of the contest. Lauren Lang, student
representative for the Open House Committee, said contestants have
to pay attention to details and be creative in how they are going
to grow their plant.
“By being involved in the contest individuals will see what
management practices and techniques are most beneficial for crop
growth,” Lang said.
There are five criteria for each plan to be judged on. 1)
Cultural Practices Documentation will be scored from
0-100 points by K-State Agronomy Department faculty. Scoring
will be based on completeness, accuracy, adherence to rules, and
creativity in plant husbandry.
2) Plant height will be measured at the highest leaf point above
the soil surface with no leaf extension (plants can be staked).
3) Plant mass will be the wet weight of plants cut off at the
soil line.
4) Leaf area of the largest trifoliate leaf will be
electroni-cally measured.
5) NEW for 2010 – Leaf “greenness” of the largest tri-foliate
will be determined with a chlorophyll meter (SPAD meter).
The contest is not only a great opportunity for recruit-ment but
also for education in the classroom. The fact that it is a hands-on
experiment provides additional motivation to participate. Lang said
the contest allows participants to conduct science in a way that is
more entertaining that read-ing from a textbook. Each contestant
will bring their plant to Open House for judging, which will be led
by Dr. Nelson and Agronomy students.
Willie and the Beanstalk contest provides seeds for the
future
Right: Senior Nathan Keep gathers one of the soybean
plants. Keep volunteered as a representative of the Wheat
State Agronomy Club, where he serves as an officer.
Below: Working together ,both students and faculty
process each plant from the contest. Volunteers have
the opportunity to interact with the contest participants
throughout the day.
Above: Participants of the contest watch as Senior Nathan Keep
examines their soybean plant. The 2009 contest was the first year
to include participants below the high school level.
Left: Sophomore Kerri Neugebauer uses a meter stick to
accurately document plant height. Plant height is one of the five
criteria for judging.
*Photos are of the 2009 Willie and the Beanstalk Contest.
