Organic Vegetable Garden Thrives
Skip Guadagnolo and Juan Gomez harvest produce at the Organic Vegetable Project located at the University Farm.
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The Organic Vegetable Project was started nearly two years ago with grants from the Foor Foundation and the Agriculture Research Initiative. Since the first five lettuce rows were planted, the garden has grown from an eighth of an acre to one and a half acres. The garden produces heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, peppers, flowers, and corn. Crops are planned with the student union and residence halls cafeterias in mind, and both have been customers for two semesters so far.
Funds to Study Organic Pasture Management
Dr. Cindy Daley, Animal Science, was awarded a $40,000 grant from Organic Valley Family of Farms through its Farmer’s Advocating for Organics grant program. Daley will study the effects on net profit of improving pasture management at the University Farm’s organic dairy.
College of Agriculture Recognized
The Chico Economic Planning Corporation honored the CSU, Chico College of Agriculture with the 2008 Excellence in Agribusiness Award, given each year for entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to the economic development of Chico and Butte County.
Good Judges of Livestock
The 2009 Livestock Judging Team placed second overall at the Arizona National Livestock Show, 10th at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, seventh at the San Antonio Stock Show, and seventh at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The team, coached by Clay Carlson, consists of students Janell Rice, Haley Hunt, Sarah Hanks, Simmie Stayer, Rex Mendonza, Matt Reed, and Brendan Close.
Community Partnership Results in $88,000 Donation
A donation from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will provide funding for a smokehouse oven and sausage-making equipment for the Meats Laboratory at the University Farm. The $88,000 will enhance hands-on learning opportunities and allow the farm to further develop its line of smoked sausages, which are sold at the Sierra Nevada Restaurant and Taproom and at the University Farm.
Contributions to Beef Industry
The Beef Improvement Federation honored animal science professor Dr. David A. Daley with a Continuing Service Award for his major contributions to the beef industry. Daley founded an international group focused on the use of composite and hybrid seed stock in the beef industry; coordinated research projects with Harris Ranch Beef Company and Lacey Livestock on DNA fingerprinting; and coordinated a national academy on the implementation of the National Animal Identification System.
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