Meet Outstanding Students in Agriculture
The Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences is home to over 2,500 talented students dedicated serving the community by advancing the innovation and growth of the agricultural industry. Take a moment to read about some of the students in AG 351 and what drives their passion for agriculture.
Seth Barnhart
“People need to understand that the food system and agriculture are a result of urban culture.”
What is your background with agriculture?
I was born in Burns, Oregon and lived on the Roaring Springs Ranch in Frenchglen, Oregon. When I was 5, my family moved back to Western Oregon to the family farm and have been raising beef cattle ever since. I’ve worked on the family farm my entire life and I’ve also worked for a grass seed farm in Shedd, Oregon for a few summers.
Why is agriculture important to you? Why do you value agriculture?
Something that many farmers and ranchers understand is that farming isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. When I take over my family’s farm I’ll be the 4th generation on the land. My dad has been able to pass on the heritage to his children and I hope to be able to pass on that heritage to my kids.
What is the one message about the agricultural industry that you want everyone to know?
Modern agricultural practices are the basis for our nation’s great prosperity. If you ate food today and didn’t have to go out to your backyard and grow it yourself, thank a farmer.
Calli Ward
“Agriculture is what moves the world forward. Without agriculture, we wouldn’t even have civilization, let alone clothes, reliable shelter, or a dependable food source.”
What is your background with agriculture?
I was born and raised on a farm in Eastern Oregon and worked on the farm full time in the summer and sporadically throughout the rest of the year. We grow potatoes, mint, wheat, corn, and many hay varieties, and in the past the farm raised cattle. Our farm has been around for over a hundred years. My mother was also raised on a dairy farm and those experiences also influenced our family and our upbringing.
Why is agriculture important to you? Why do you value agriculture?
Agriculture is important to me because it is what I was raised on and it is what drives our world. I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment where I could learn about and experience agriculture, and see just how important it is to our world. It also is what connects my family and nothing makes me happier than the experiences that I have been able to have. Nothing compares to getting to finish harvest with your 91 year old grandfather by your side.
Every person on Earth needs agriculture to survive and 2% of the population feeds the other 98%. I don’t have to be majoring in or going into agriculture to understand and know the importance that it holds in my life and the lives of others.
What is the one message about the agricultural industry that you want everyone to know?
To farmers, agriculture is their livelihood and they strive for greatness just like any other profession. These are real people that are doing everything they can to put a good and healthy product on your tables, and to provide for their own as well. If you ask farmers, they will tell you their stories. They will tell you all about their operations, and they aren’t ashamed to share what they are doing, because they put their lives into making sure that they’re doing it right. If you want to know, all you need to do is ask.
Jensen Kemble
“Our society relies heavily on agriculture, and having something that is so relied on, also be heavily attacked is devastating to the future of our nation.”
What is your background with agriculture?
I worked on a custom hay and straw farm in high school, and then I was very involved in FFA and learned about Oregon state-wide agriculture through that organization.
Why is agriculture important to you? Why do you value agriculture?
Our society relies heavily on agriculture, and having something that is so relied on, also be heavily attacked is devastating to the future of our nation. I value agriculture because I have seen the need for the industry around the world. Everyone utilizes resources from production agriculture in one way or another, even if they don’t realize it.
What is the one message about the agricultural industry that you want everyone to know?
As with any industry, agriculture has its issues, but the overall positive effects agriculture has on the world is something that cannot be replaced.
