Name and title:

James Cassidy – Instructor Soil Science

Where are you from?

St Paul, Minnesota

Where did you attend college?

Mount Hood CC and OSU

What is your favorite college memory?

First time the student farm pulled off a great Hoo Haa (Earthday April 22^nd)

What do you like most about OSU?

I love the climate we have here and it allows students to get out into the field any time of year.  Also, I love that our students are a blend of urban and rural folks and appreciate the REALITY that is to be found outdoors.

What kind of transportation did you use in college?

I bicycled and had a small truck.

What is your favorite agricultural commodity?

Well I don’t really have a particular “commodity” that I love but I am crazy about putting seeds in soil and having a reasonable expectation that they will germinate and become something beautiful and alive!  I love growing food – what else is there really to do in this life?

What is something that you enjoy doing in your free time?

I don’t have a lot of free time really.  I love what I do so in a way, it’s all free time or as Winston Churchill said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” I kinda feel like that’s what happened to me(!)

Do you have any advice for students in the college of agricultural sciences?

Don’t shy away from getting a solid science education just because “its hard,” a 4 year degree in science is what it is going to take to get the life you want.  Don’t fear – say yes to everything – you would be amazed how much you can really do!

Your College is looking for qualified leaders! Would you enjoy developing and enhancing your public speaking, time management skills, individual and group dynamics while engaging in activities that promote the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Forestry? You can develop these skills, prepare for student and pre-professional success, and enjoy doing so with several other students from both Colleges by becoming an Ambassador for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources.

Ambassadors have the opportunity to attend on and off-campus recruiting events; travel to high schools throughout the state and make presentations; attend professional conferences, industry and alumni events; engage in the marketing and promotion efforts of both colleges; and host students and parents to campus. As an Ambassador, you are able to meet and make valuable relationships with students, alumni, and staff throughout Oregon State University.

If you would like to know more about becoming an Ambassador, If you would like to know more about becoming an Ambassador stop by 137 Strand Agriculture Hall, 101 Peavy Hall or email CAS.Ambassadors@oregonstate.edu

To access the application online you can visit: http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/ambassadors/become-one Applications will be due February 14th by 5:00pm in Strand Agricultural Hall, Room 137.

The Poultry Science club does not require its members to have any prior experience in the Poultry industry. Throughout the year the members of this club host 4-H clinics and educate the public about poultry. They work very closely with industry professionals and their members receive numerous opportunities to apply for internships within the industry.

This club has numerous activities that they are involved in throughout the year including the Western Oregon 4-H Poultry Field Day, the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Convention, Oregon FFA Career Development days, Poultry Judging Contests, OSU Ag Day, Pet Day and they also participate in the Salem Ag Festival. Meetings are held every other friday at 12pm in Withycombe 115 (ANS student lounge).

If you are interested in learning more about the Poultry Science Club or would like to become a member please contact Michelle Janik at janim@onid.orst.edu.

MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) has been working hard collecting professional attire for college students who can’t afford to buy business outfits for interviews. The club is going to sell the clothes for very affordable prices and is using the money to fund their trip to a national career fair and training conference. Heather Turner, a reporter from KEZI news wrote an article featuring MANRRS check it out at http://kezi.com/news/local/201513.

If you would like to donate professional clothing items to MANRRS, you can drop them of at the following locations:

OSU Career Services

8 Kerr Administration Building

Corvallis, OR

OSU Strand Agriculture Hall 137

Corvallis, OR

OSU Bookstore Beaver Fan Shop

121 SW Morrison #120

Portland , OR

Name and title:

Betsy Hartley, Director of External Relations

Where are you from?

Born and raised in San Dimas, California.  Suburb of Los Angeles.

Where did you attend college?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  My degree is in Agricultural Education.

What is your favorite college memory?

Being an Ambassador.  Our team was one of the first in the College and we had a great time promoting the college, helping with events and recruiting new students to be a part of our college.  It was a leadership experience of a lifetime.

What do you like most about OSU?

We are a top-tier research institution.  We have outstanding and engaged students. It’s a beautiful campus that stretches across the entire state of Oregon. We have the proud heritage of being a Land Grant University.  What’s not to LOVE about OSU?  I love my job and enjoy coming to work each and every day.

What kind of transportation did you use in college?

Feet.  I drove a red Ford Ranger pick-up if I had a lab at one of the farms or wanted to head to the beach to study.  But my feet were my primary mode of transportation…

What is your favorite agricultural commodity?

I cannot choose just one in a state that produces over 220 outstanding commodities!  I will say pizza does a darn good job of combining some of those delectable ingredients in a thoroughly delightful way.

What is something that you enjoy doing in your free time?

I’m an Aunt!  I like to do just about anything – as long as I’m spending time with my family.  (Shopping rates pretty high as a hobby as well!)  And I am developing a love for photography… A growing passion and hobby that works well when you have totally handsome/adorable nieces and nephews.

Do you have any advice for students in the college of agricultural science?

This is the beginning of your career! Plan and execute wisely. Get involved.  Study abroad.  Follow through on commitments.  Reach beyond your comfort zone. Network and develop professional connections. Look for new experiences. Join a club, run for an office. Enjoy your time in college, but understand that your college career is the foundation of your professional life.

Contact information:  541/231.1472 (cell), 541/737.5822 (work), 127 Strand, betsy.hartley@oregonstate.edu

The Food and Fermentation club has been busy this holiday season making Jelly for the OSU Emergency Food Pantry, an on-campus charity! Read all about these generous students in this article written by Raju Woodward, Gazette Times reporter http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_92e44fdc-0764-11e0-9a7a-001cc4c03286.html.

Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a program designed to help young people gain a better understanding of agriculture, the source of where their food and clothing comes from, and its impact on our lives. Teaching students about agriculture has a positive effect on communities and helps make students become well-informed citizens. Agriculture needs to be added into school curriculums and Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom has developed materials that meet the state mandated learning standards for grades K-12. At the final meeting of fall term the Agricultural Executive Council invited Tami Kerr to join us and present information about AITC to our club representatives. She informed us how we can volunteer our time to read to elementary school students and spread the word about agriculture. In return, everyone at the meeting participated in a service project by creating “living necklaces” for children to wear and take home a little piece of agriculture so that they can remember what they learned and share it with others. To become a volunteer for AITC please contact Tami Kerr at AITC@oregonstate.edu.

The Agricultural Executive Council purchased a beautiful Poinsettia from the Horticulture club as a Christmas gift for their amazing advisor, Shawn Anderson. The Horticulture Club is selling the plants to raise money to pay for their members to attend convention which will be in Chicago, Illinois. They will be competing in a horticulture competition and meeting with industry professionals at a career fair.

The Organic Growers Club is presenting this challenge to their loyal customers and the clubs within the College of Agricultural Sciences in hope that they will be able to give the gift of livestock to those who need it most. Heifer International is a well-respected charity that was started in 1940’s. Their mission is to give the gift of livestock to those in need around the world. With this gift comes the education to care for the animals giving the people a source of food and income. The animal’s offspring are then given to another family, thus spreading the gift and lifting entire communities out of poverty.

The Organic Growers plan on giving a base donation of $140 to Heifer International, which is a goat and flock of chickens! They are requesting that the CAS Clubs join with them to reach a common goal.  The Organic Growers Club will match every dollar that their customers donate, doubling their gift!

A donation of any size would be greatly appreciated. The gifts can be as small as $20 for a flock of chickens or $5000 for ‘the ark’, which includes two of everything in the catalog! To learn about all of the gifts that Heifer International offers please visit this website: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/

Contact Bridget Chipman at chipmanb@onid.orst.edu for more information.