By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) recently hosted the “AgDay College Roadshow” on campus, drawing students, faculty, and staff from its agricultural programs in a lively celebration of agriculture.
Held on October 30 in the high bay area of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center, students gathered with signs and cheers, highlighting their pride in SDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
The event, inspired by the campus excitement of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” focused on agriculture instead of sports, making stops at college campuses across the U.S. Beck’s, the corporate sponsor, provided sign materials, allowing students to show their support with homemade posters.
“This was a great event for SDSU and a wonderful opportunity for our university’s impact on agriculture to be highlighted on a regionally broadcast TV show,” commented Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
The program was led by Clinton Griffiths, “Farm Journal” editor and “AgDay” host, and joined by markets expert and SDSU alum Michelle Rook. They welcomed SDSU President Barry Dunn, who emphasized the university’s role as a land-grant institution dedicated to advancing agricultural research for efficient food production.
“Our response as a land-grant university is to be a research engine to create new knowledge and bring innovations to agriculture in South Dakota, and also this incredible region that we serve, the Northern Great Plains,” Dunn shared. The event also included a lively exchange of SDSU-made ice cream flavors presented by President Dunn.
Rook moderated a panel discussion on agricultural market trends, featuring experts from SDSU and industry, including Joe Santos from the Ness School of Management and Economics, agribusiness specialist Matt Elliott, and Mike Minor from Professional Ag Marketing.
Special segments featured SDSU professors showcasing research on climate-resistant crops, greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of soy in animal feed. The event concluded with a $250 gift card prize for the best student sign and a social media contest for student organizations, won by the SDSU Quarter-Scale Tractor Club.
“It’s a testament to the strong values and community mindset SDSU is building,” Griffiths added, impressed by the enthusiasm and engagement of SDSU’s students in agricultural innovation.
Photo Credit:south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education, General