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An Update from the Chair
It has been almost two years since I started at ISU. Even though the pandemic has affected many things, we have tried our best to move the department forward. Students are back on campus, which is a welcome development, and faculty are busy teaching face-to-face. We do hope that things will be back to normal very soon. From a personal standpoint, the pandemic has made it a slow process to get to know faculty personally, but we are slowly making progress. We recently approved our Strategic Plan and met with a newly constituted Agriculture Advisory Board for the first time.
I am pleased to report that we have accomplished many things through COVID 19. We have renovated RAB Hallway thanks to a donation from our friend Dan Kelley. Our largest classroom, RAB 108G, received a needed upgrade by purchasing and installing tiered tables and chairs. Teaching technology has also been upgraded. RAB 106 was renovated last semester, and this semester, we are renovating RAB 111. We recently purchased a Welding Simulation machine for the Agriculture Mechanization Lab, seed germinator for the greenhouse, and moisture sensor for the Agronomy courses.
At Lexington Farm, we started working with Central Illinois Ag out of Atlanta, Illinois, to lease a combine harvester. This partnership made our 2021 harvesting season quicker and more efficient. We are looking to establish a one-stop relationship with this company regarding acquiring and leasing other farm equipment. In addition, we painted the two old yellow cattle barns for a needed facelift and demolished three old yellow grain bins on infrastructure. We also put up two tornado shelters, and we are in the process of installing high-speed internet to the barns to facilitate our teaching and research activities.
We completed our annual review process of the faculty, and they are all conducting outstanding research and practicing innovative teaching as we educate the future global workforce. We received a record number of applications to the graduate program. These are exciting times for the Department of Agriculture. We look forward to a great future as we engage with our great alumni dedicated to ISU Agriculture. Better days are yet to come.
Our Mission
The mission of the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University is to provide a premier educational experience, conduct high-quality research, and provide timely outreach services to enhance the agriculture industry.
I invite you to follow us on Department of Agriculture Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channel. Thank you all for your support.
Dr. Fanson Kidwaro
Department Chair
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Illinois State’s Department of Agriculture used to attract students from family farms who grew up baling hay and showing cattle.
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AGRICULTURE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UPDATE
Hello fellow Alumni,
Time has been flying and it is so good to be returning to some of our regular activities with covid-19 in our “rear-view” mirror. A stop by Ropp supports the idea that some normalcy is returning to campus, as there seems to be lots of things going on in the Department of Agriculture. I’ll mention just a few that may pique your interest!
Since our last newsletter, the Illinois State University Capital Campaign concluded successfully. Thanks to all of you that contributed in one way or another. Our continued support helps provide valuable resources and opportunities for the next generation of students coming through Illinois State University. A recent contribution by Mr. Dan Kelly has allowed the department to begin some renovations in Ropp, making the main hallway a more welcoming space for prospective and current students. A new coat of paint, furniture and other décor updates will go a long way in modernizing the space. We look forward to seeing the final product!
You may have already heard about the Ag Department’s success in their recent academic contests. Back in mid-March, the Horticulture Club took a group of studenst to the North Carolina to participate in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition. Our students placed first and second in these competitions. A few weeks later, twenty-six students headed to the NACTA (North America Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Judging Conference in North Platte, NE. Our students competed in 13 contests, against 42 four year colleges, including some of the largest land-grant schools in the country. Contests included ag business, mechanics, cops, livestock, dairy, knowledge bowl, precision ag, horticulture, soils, and equine management. For full details, check out the story on the Department’s website https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2022/04/isu-agriculture-wins-four-year-division-at-nacta-student-judging-competitions/ . As a result of so many of the teams placeing high, ISU took home the Sweepstakes Grand Champion Award. The Agriculture Alumni Association was proud to help support both trips and look forward to next year’s contests!
One of the most recent highlights of the semester was the timely and extremely insigtful seminar delivered by Dr. Iuliia Tettah, agribusiness professor. Dr. Tettah, a Ukraine native, presented on the Impact of the War in Ukraine on Global Agriculture and Food Security. Thank you to the Ag Department for extending the invitation and opening the presentation up to the public. Alumni and community members were invited to join in person or via zoom. I would encourage any of you that are able, to accept future invitations and participate in this open forum. It was certainly great to be back in the classroom chairs gleaning information from the expertise that lies within the department.
I am looking forward to continuing our support of the Department of Agriculture at Illinois State in their academic endeavors with the dedication and continued assistance from each alumni member.
All the best,
Kyle Earing, ‘04
President of Agriculture Alumni Association
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The College of Applied Science and Technology recently hosted a successful week of events celebrating advancements in the field of science and technology, and the students and professionals who make everything possible.
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The College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) is pleased to recognize some of its most successful alumni by induction into the CAST Hall of Fame.
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HORTICULTURE CENTER UPDATE
The ISU Horticulture Center was pleased to cohost Dr. Curt Meine–conservationist, biologist, environmental historian, and Aldo Leopold biographer–on April 14th for his presentation titled “Land Ethics Evolving: Conservation in a Time of Rapid Social and Environmental Change.” The event drew a large enthusiastic crowd and was a partnership between the Center and Illinois Wesleyan University.
Spring at the Horticulture Center means two things: selling plants and the beginning of volunteer season! The 3rd annual Plant Sale will end the evening of May 12th with order pickup on May 14th. It has already raised over $4,000 in much-needed funds for the Center. New volunteer orientation was held Tuesday, May 3rd. If you are interested in volunteering but missed orientation, please reach out to Jessica Chambers at horticulture@ilstu.edu or 309-438-3496.
Jessica Chambers, Director of the Horticulture Center
Student’s research flowers at Horticulture Center
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TEACHING & RESEARCH FARM UPDATE
Well its winter again which means lambing and calving season is fast approaching along with spring semester sow farrowings. Dr. Lugar’s AGR 236 Parturition, Dr. Earing’s AGR 326 Small Ruminant classes and some student workers will be observing and assisting our ewes and cows at this time. Lambing and calving seasons both have been a success. Students did a great job in assisting. Dr. Lugar concluded his research project in the farrowing barn.
We have had plenty of meetings and continue to have more in getting our fertility needs covered this spring. Spring agronomy talks have been good. Our seed needs have been met by the seed vendors we work with. Agronomy meetings with faculty and staff have been good working out needs for research and upcoming events.
Recently we started working on a Hatch project upgrade some of our forage equipment. This will launch in February some time. Any donors looking to give back to our department at this time, this would be a great opportunity. Hatch Project for the hay rake we are looking to purchase has kicked off. We have met 73% of our needs to date with a month left to go. Any additional funding will go towards the hay tedder we would like to purchase to. Please visit https://hatch.illinoisstate.edu/project/30332 to help us fund the purchase.
We continue to look for a farm foreman. The 3rd search to fill this position is posted at this time. The 3rd search at this time is stagnant. A meeting is in place to discuss with the Dean Dr, Todd McLoda and our Chair Dr. Fanson Kidwaro.
Our chair and dean, along with a few others plan to meet with Central IL AG to work with them on our equipment needs. Last fall we were offer a Case IH 7230 combine to use at a reasonable rate. We are doing this to bring the latest technology to the farm for our students to learn from. At the time we run a JD 9500 combine and a JD 7200 planter which work fine for us but in order to teach our students correctly we need to be keeping up with the times. Talks continue as we continue to figure out ways to fund our needs.
Two cattle feedlot barns were painted this fall to make the farms appearance look a bit better to visitors. We continue to try and improve our facilities. Next project is to look at renovating our demolition of the old GROWMARK building we call the Isolation Barn. We would like to address our gestation area for the sows and bring in the open housing concept that is being used at most swine units today as producers build new buildings.
Jason Lindbom, Farm Manager
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RECRUITMENT UPDATE
Cori Malone has assumed the responsibilities of Chair of our Recruitment and Retention Committee and Advisor to our Agriculture Ambassadors.
The Recruitment and Retention Committee, along with the Agriculture Ambassadors, wrapped up another exciting year of representing the Department of Agriculture at various events and welcoming prospective students and families to Ropp Agriculture Building. Off-campus recruitment events included visiting 7 Community Colleges, 31 High Schools, and 12 Community Events throughout Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin. On-campus we assisted with seven Transfer, Registration and Orientation Days, one Presidential Scholar Day, one Redbird Scholar Day, two Redbird Days and three Admissions Open House sessions. In addition to these on-campus events, we also host weekly in-person and virtual tours of the Department of Agriculture. Behind the scenes we worked to develop new recruitment materials, including new paper and display materials. Should any Alumni have an event they would like to see representation from Illinois State University Department of Agriculture at, please contact Cori Malone at cjharr2@ilstu.edu.
The 2021-2022 Agriculture Ambassador team consisted of: Isaac Brockman (Agribusiness), Travis Cook (Agribusiness, Agronomy Management), Morgan Gabriel (Agribusiness, Accounting), Elly Hagen (Animal Industry Management), Rachel Jonas (Pre-Veterinary Medicine), Shelbie Kile (Agronomy Management, Crop/Soil Science), Emily Klauer (Pre-Veterinary Medicine), Hailey Lucht (Agribusiness), Emma Mahoney (Ag Teacher Education), Ava Marshall (Agricultural Communication and Leadership), Austin Nakaerts (Agronomy Management), Lauren Neuleib (Animal Science), and Cori Malone (Advisor).
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STUDENTS
Our amazing students are accomplishing great things!
- Isaac Brockman is the 2021 Collegiate Discussion Meet winner
- 10 students attended the AFA Leaders Conference November 11-14, 2021 in Kansas City
- Raeann Huffman ’21 is the recipient of the Fisher Outstanding Thesis, First place university level (after winning CAST outstanding thesis).
- Bethany Wohrley is working on Pennycress project and won CAST 3MT (3 Minute Thesis Competition) in fall 2021. She also competed in the the University level on February 24. Bethany also is the runner-up in the Image of Research Competition.
- IPREFER (USDA grant on Pennycress project) is hosting cover crop field day in April.
- We hosted the 2021 Region III Collegiate Soil Judging Contest. Students from the University of Illinois, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin Platteville, and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point competed by describing soil profiles similarly to what is found in a soil survey. Students judged six soil pits describing up to six horizons to a depth of 5 feet in each pit. Soil morphological properties were used to determine the soil’s taxonomy and evaluate its properties such as hydraulic conductivity, erosion potential, and evaluate possible limitations for basements, septic tank absorption fields, and roads.
- We participated in the SAINO Global Summit. The event included participation from Japan, USA, Italy, the Philippines, and Australia.
- ustin McDowell, Horticulture & Landscape Management senior, was named an American Society for Horticultural Science’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Horticulture for 2022.
- Student Scholarships were awarded in the Department to many students. We continue to raise funds for many scholarships, including the Harvey Woods Scholarship which will host its annual Harvey Woods Golf Outing on June 24, 2022! Join us or advertise with us in the name of undergraduate student scholarships.
- Professional Agricultural Sorority Sigma Alpha Beta Xi advised by Dr. Iuliia Tetteh took the 1st place in the region for the Leadership Award and will compete at the national level in July.
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Illinois State University Agriculture students won the Sweepstakes Grand Champion award at NACTA Student Judging Competition.
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Three Department of Agriculture students presented their research at the University Research Symposium, April 1, 2022.
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The Office of Student Research announced the winners of its third annual Image of Research competition and showcased all of the finalists’ entries at a reception February 9 at University Galleries.
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Gabby Ward is a Department of Agriculture student studying pre-veterinary medicine.
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Peyton Cramer is only 20, but he knows something about taking on pressure-packed challenges.
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Katherine Robinson’s bedroom is lined with a bunch of green houseplants. “I think green plants are cool because I feel like they’re often overlooked. Green is a symbol of life, verdancy, and growth. The human eye can perceive more hues of green than any other color, which I think is cool.” Robinson, a senior horticulture
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Katherine Robinson, a Department of Agriculture student studying Horticulture, graduated with honors in December, with a 4.0 GPA. She is fascinated with plant consciousness and the differences between how plants and people work, as well as how humans interact with plants.
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On December 3, the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) held its Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a research communication competition that challenges master’s and doctoral students to describe their research topic and its significance in just 3 minutes to a general audience.
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Gabby Ward is a Department of Agriculture student studying pre-veterinary medicine.
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Beth Clark can’t remember a time when she wasn’t a volunteer. Living on the family farm, her calendar was always full with chores to be done. Plus, at Lexington High School she was active in all things musical as well as competing all four years in track and field. Her senior year she was team captain and a state finalist in discus. But, since childhood she’s made time to volunteer.
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TEACHING
We are shaping the future through teaching.
- Students in Dr. Kopsell’s AGR 352 Residential & Sports Turf Management created a turfgrass management plan for The Willows residences at Westminster Retirement Village in Bloomington last fall semester. Twelve students partnered up in groups of two and developed recommendations for 6 properties including turfgrass fertility and cultural practices. Each group presented their findings and recommendations in person to the Westminster Beautification Committee and The Willows residents at the end of the semester. The class would like to thank GMS Labs in Cropsey, IL for providing soil testing services and for the cooperation of the Westminster residents and staff.
- Dr. Iuliia Tetteh and four of our students attended Illinois Ag Banking Conference in Springfield, IL where they learned about ag credit markets, IL farm economy, and networked with professionals from the field.
- Students in Dr. Kopsell’s AGR 257 Fruit & Vegetable Production course this spring will be again growing approximately 3,000 vegetable transplants as a class laboratory activity in the Ropp Greenhouse for the Sunnyside Community Garden in Bloomington as a service-learning project. The twenty students in class are also scheduled to perform several work days at the garden during the semester including pruning and grafting fruit trees, planting seeds and transplants, and general garden preparation activities. Dr. Kopsell would like to thank Dr. Caleb Phillips, Director of Sunnyside, for his continued collaboration and willingness to help educate our students with hands-on, real world opportunities.
- Two seniors studying Agribusiness – Isaac Brockman and Emily Lopata – participated in a pilot project in AGR 302 International Agribusiness in which they conducted an in-depth analysis of the agricultural economy and trade flows of Kyrgyzstan. To provide students with real-world international experience without leaving campus, Dr. Tetteh and Matt Schwab from the Office of International Engagement facilitated a connection with Aizhan Kurmanalieva, international student from Kyrgyzstan, who studied at Illinois State University in fall 2021. Isaac and Emily met with Aizhan on a continuous basis throughout the semester to discuss their research project, get a native’s perspective on certain issues, and learn more about each other and their cultures. Students built not only a professional connection, but also a personal friendship.
- A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Autonomous University of Chapingo and Illinois State University for the development of an exchange program. Dr. Drew Lugar is planning a winter session study abroad program focusing on Animal Agriculture in Mexico for December 2022.
- Dr. Drew Lugar was nominated for the NARRU Distinguished Young Educator Award.
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Isaac Brockman and Emily Lopata, both seniors studying agribusiness, conducted an analysis of a country and its agricultural industry in collaboration with an international student, Aizhan Kurmanalieva, from Kyrgyzstan.
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Dr. David Kopsell knows his horticulture students learn best when they engage with the class content and get their hands dirty.
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SCHOLARLY PRODUCTIVITY
Our faculty are making great contributions via research.
- Dr. Iuliia Tetteh in collaboration with her colleagues at Purdue University, U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, and Kent State University completed a research project to better understand nontraditional lenders (NTLs) and their growing presence in the U.S. ag credit markets. NTLs are credit providers who operate outside of the “traditional” local lender branch and loan officer model. The researchers conducted executive interviews with five such institutions and gathered further insights into general characteristics of these lenders, credit products they offer, operational performance and business models. The results of this study are published in the Agricultural Finance Review Journal. The results will also be discussed at the Purdue AgCast in June.
- Dr. Nicholas Heller and Bethany Wohrley presented research projects at the 2021 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.
- Undergraduate students Matthew Nugent and Brennan Duffin presented a poster with Drs. Heller and Rhykerd on the short-term impacts of cover crops on soil profile distribution of organic matter at the 2021 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meeting.
- Undergraduate students Nick Inness, Brennan Duffin, and Matt Nugent along with Drs. Heller and Rhykerd gave a presentation on carbon sequestration from cover crops at the 8th Annual Integrative Plant Biology and Bioenergy Symposium.
- ISU hosted the annual Cover Crop Field Day in April.
- Dr. Iuliia Tetteh and Dr. Aslihan Spaulding presented their research on Agronomic Practices of U.S. Popcorn Producers to the US Popcorn Board.
- Dr. Jay Solomonson, Dr. Lucas Maxwell, and Dr. Michael Barrowclough received the Distinguished Manuscript Award for their paper “Professional Commitment Among Illinois School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers” at the North Central American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference in Columbus, Ohio in September of 2021.
- Dr. Michael Barrowclough and Dr. Drew Lugar presented their research findings at the 2021 NACTA Conference.
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Dr. Aslihan D. Spaulding is part of a national team awarded a $10 million USDA grant to promote alternative systems for agriculture.
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The College of Applied Science and Technology and the Department of Agriculture are sincerely grateful for the recent investment by Compeer Financial that contributed to a complete renovation of the Farm classroom. The ribbon was cut on October 12, 2021, in a formal ceremony attended by representatives of Compeer Financial, the College of Applied Science and Technology, and the Department of Agriculture.
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Our faculty and staff are recognized for their accomplishments and dedication.
- Dr. Rob Rhykerd and Dr. Michelle Kibler received 2022 Impact Award.
- Dr. David Kopsell was elected Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences.
- Dr. David Kopsell received the 2022 Faculty Civic Engagement Award.
- Dr. Solomonson received Teacher Educator of the Year Award from Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education.
- Ag Faculty were awarded the RISE to the COVID Challenge Award
- Dr. Maria Boerngen was elected as Central Region Director for NACTA
- Dr. Maria Boerngen was named Editor of the Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
- 2021-2022 Departmental faculty Awards recipients:
- Dr. David Kopsell and Dr. Maria Boerngen – Outstanding Teacher Award
- Dr. Maria Boerngen – Outstanding Service Award
- Dr. Aslihan Spaulding – Outstanding Researcher Award
- Dr. Aslihan Spaulding will be serving as the Interim Chair of the Department of Economics from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
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Individuals and groups across the campus and community were honored with 2022 Civic Engagement Awards on April 12, 2022, as part of Illinois State University’s annual Civic Engagement Celebration. The event was hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement.
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