University farm offers variety
Chris Reid
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: TruLife
Truman's Agricultural Science program and the University Farm can offer students more than they might realize.
The University has had a farm since 1910. The original farm was located in the area that is now Red Barn Park. The present farm, located at the end of La Harpe Street, was acquired in 1980.
The agricultural science division uses the farm for classes in all of its major concentrations: horticulture and agronomy, pre-veterinary medicine and animal science, equine science and agricultural business.
According to Emily Costello, instructor of horsemanship classes and coach of the equestrian team, the farm offers several recreational and practical services for the student body at large.
"Students are welcome to come out whenever the farm is open - from 8 a.m. to about 8 p.m. - and just hang out," Costello said. "Students staying over the summer can rent their own garden plot to grow fruits and vegetables."
Students of all majors can get involved with the Horseman's Association and ride horses at the farm on the weekends. Students also can try out for the Equestrian Team and compete with other riders from Division I schools.
Also located on the farm is the physics department's observatory. At any time, students can use the telescopes at the observatory to search the night sky for stars, planets, satellites and other celestial bodies. At least once a month, the Astronomy Club sponsors an open house where students are invited out to the observatory to view the stars through the telescope with physics professor Matthew Beaky.
At the farm students can earn work-study hours for composting.
The Agricultural Science major has a lot to offer students who are looking for something with hands-on experience and a close relationship with their faculty. Because the Agricultural Science major is so small (roughly 80 students out of about 5800, according to division head Michael Seipel) a lot of outside of class interaction between the students and their professors occurs. Events such as Ag Week, picnics and dinners allow faculty and students to create opportunities to get together and have a good time.
The University has had a farm since 1910. The original farm was located in the area that is now Red Barn Park. The present farm, located at the end of La Harpe Street, was acquired in 1980.
The agricultural science division uses the farm for classes in all of its major concentrations: horticulture and agronomy, pre-veterinary medicine and animal science, equine science and agricultural business.
According to Emily Costello, instructor of horsemanship classes and coach of the equestrian team, the farm offers several recreational and practical services for the student body at large.
"Students are welcome to come out whenever the farm is open - from 8 a.m. to about 8 p.m. - and just hang out," Costello said. "Students staying over the summer can rent their own garden plot to grow fruits and vegetables."
Students of all majors can get involved with the Horseman's Association and ride horses at the farm on the weekends. Students also can try out for the Equestrian Team and compete with other riders from Division I schools.
Also located on the farm is the physics department's observatory. At any time, students can use the telescopes at the observatory to search the night sky for stars, planets, satellites and other celestial bodies. At least once a month, the Astronomy Club sponsors an open house where students are invited out to the observatory to view the stars through the telescope with physics professor Matthew Beaky.
At the farm students can earn work-study hours for composting.
The Agricultural Science major has a lot to offer students who are looking for something with hands-on experience and a close relationship with their faculty. Because the Agricultural Science major is so small (roughly 80 students out of about 5800, according to division head Michael Seipel) a lot of outside of class interaction between the students and their professors occurs. Events such as Ag Week, picnics and dinners allow faculty and students to create opportunities to get together and have a good time.
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