Sigma Alpha is a professional sorority dedicated to promoting Women in Agriculture. Members develop professional development skills and are encouraged to strive for achievement in scholarship, leadership, and pursuing careers in agriculture. Sigma Alpha is also involved in several agricultural organizations including Oregon Women for Agriculture (OWA), Ag in the Classroom, and Ag fest. This past fall Sigma Alpha also held a pumpkin carving philanthropy and donated pumpkins to Trillium Children’s Farm Home, a local campus that provides mental and behavioral healthcare to children. If you are interested in becoming a member of Sigma Alpha recruitment is held every fall and spring term.

Volunteering for Ag in the Classroom:
 Ag in the Classroom (AITC) is a program that teaches elementary students the importance of agriculture through classroom presentations and activities. During winter term, Sigma Alpha members volunteer for AITC as a service project. Each member completes at least six hours of service to help prepare the presentations for AITC.

Ag fest:
 Ag fest is an activity filled festival where children can experience agriculture. During Ag fest Sigma Alpha helps with the Ag in the classroom booth. This is a way for Sigma Alpha to help introduce agriculture to the next generation.

Oregon Woman for Agriculture (OWA):
Each year OWA holds a fundraiser where members help set up, serve, sell auction items, and clean up. Each month a designated Sigma Alpha member attends an OWA meeting and brings information back to the sorority.

Club members within the College of Agricultural Sciences gathered in Strand 323 Thursday evening to listen to a panel of speakers. Craig Christopherson and Geo and Liz Vanleeuwen shared with students about their life, career, integrity and ethics. After the speeches students stayed up to 45 minutes after to talk with the speakers and ask questions. This was an amazing opportunity and we look forward to having another event like this in the future. Please contact an officer on the council for feedback or questions.

Sigma Alpha Agriculture Sorority will be fundraising in the quad November 15 and 16. They will be putting tinsel in hair for $5 per bead. There are a variety of colors and each bead can include up to three colors. Please come by the quad to support the girls and purchase a tinsel. For more information please visit the facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/events/330832920348082/?fref=ts

The Agricultural Executive Council will be hosting an Ethics Panel Discussion on November 15, which will teach students how to handle conflicts in the work place. Everyone has their own core values, as well as co-workers, supervisors, CEO’s, and the company itself, but how do you handle a project or assignment that conflicts with every individual’s values? Four influential members of the agricultural industry including Geo VanLeeuwen, Liz VanLeeuwen, Craig Christopherson, and Greg Satrum will be speaking about these issues in the work environment at 7:00 p.m. is Strand 323. This event in mandatory for two club representatives to attend, but all students within the College of Agricultural Sciences are welcome. Please contact an officer on the Agricultural Executive Council for more information. We hope to see you all there!

OSU Ag Ethics Panel Biographies:

Geo. VanLeeuwen: Born in North Dakota. Dust bowl moved family to Willamette Valley when he was 16. B.S. from OSU in Agronomy and Ag Ed.  George’s accomplishments include: USDA farm program administrator in Deshutes Co. 1949-’51; Farm credit field loan officer, assistant administrator, and loan analyst 1951-’56. He began full-time farming in late ’56.  He was a board member of Willamette PCA ’67-’84;  Linn Co. Farm Bureau president; Volunteer legislative assistant; Church officer and class teacher. George turned a run-down farm into a unit which enabled two sons to become full-time farmers. Together they built their own seed cleaning plant.vanleeu@wildblue.net

Liz VanLeeuwen:    Born in Lake County, OR.  B.S. from OSU in Home Making Education. Liz  taught school, substitute teacher, adult education instructor.   They have four children. She is involved in most aspects of home farm including managing the commercial strawberry acreage.  Liz has been elected to 9 consecutive terms in the Oregon Legislature from 1981-1999.  Elected to Linn Soil & Water Conservation Dist. Board 1998; current chairperson. Founding member of Oregon Women for Agriculture and American Agri-Women. Serve on Summer Ag Institute Board, and Orchard grass Grower’s Commission. Liz was a candidate for Congress in 2002.  Ask her about northern spotted owl, Willamette River Greenway, semesters, DMV, seed lien law, etc.lizvanl@wildblue.net

Craig Christopherson, ARA – Rabo AgriFinance Craig is Vice President/Senior Appraiser at Rabo AgriFinance, a leader in agricultural finance.  His role at RAF is to manage the Appraisal Department for the Western Territory which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.  Craig graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.  He is an ARA, Accredited Rural Appraiser, a designation awarded by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to those individuals who have several years of experience and have successfully passed an intensive process of reviews and examination.  Craig holds the Certified General Appraiser License, the highest level appraisal license issued, for both Oregon and Washington. Craig is married to Beth and they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.  In his free time, Craig can be found riding his Harley or fly fishing.  Craig.christopherson@raboag.com

Greg Satrum, Willamette Egg Farm For three generations, Greg Satrum’s family has been committed to providing for the care and well-being of the hens that produce the eggs that make Willamette Egg Farm proud. Caring for egg laying hens in both traditional and cage free housing at this Canby, Oregon farm is a responsibility that Greg and his family embrace today with the same values that have produced safe and wholesome food for 75 years.  Greg is chairman of the NW Poultry Committee which is a committee of NW Food Processors Assoc. which includes producers in OR/WA/ID.In addition to eggs, Satrum also grows hazelnuts and knows the challenges and rewards of a lifelong passion for agriculture and in producing food for today’s consumers.  Greg received a BA from Oregon State, is a current co-owner and vice-president of Willamette Egg Farms and is active in both his church and sports activities with his four boys.gregs@willamette-egg.com

The Agricultural Executive Council will be hosting a CAS Football Social at the Oldfield Animal Teaching Facility November 10. The football game will be streaming live against Stanford, there will be music and dancing before kick-off, and the Young Cattleman’s Association will be holding a BBQ fundraiser. Clubs are also more than welcome to bring their own game food to BBQ. This will be a great opportunity to mingle with friends, eat some good food,and earn points for Battle of the Aggies. We look forward to seeing you there ready to cheer on the Beavers at 6:00 p.m. For more information please contact an officer on the Ag Exec Council.

The Oregon State University Collegiate FFA chapter is an organization for students that have a genuine interest in the future of Agriculture. Collegiate FFA works with the Oregon FFA Association to carry out Career Development Events and State Convention, in addition to supporting non-profit agricultural organizations. Collegiate FFA has a diverse group of members from the College of Agricultural Science as well as other areas of OSU that work closely with high school FFA members, faculty, staff, and community members. If you would like to get involved you are welcome to attend meetings held the second Tuesday of every month, or contact their advisor, Jonathan Velez. Jonathan.Velez@oregonstate.edu.