Q&A with ASTE faculty member Debra Spielmaker

1. Where did you grow up? My family moved from Southern California when I was 11. I have lived in Utah (I am an alumni of Bingham High School), all but two years since then.

2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there? Both graduate and undergraduate USU.

3. What got you interested in Ag? My high school ag teacher

4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University? I think everyone wants to make a difference. I work in the area of agricultural literacy, it would be great if everyone understood the importance of agriculture and how agriculture affects ones quality of life, but until then I have some job security.

5. What are some of your hobbies? Playing hockey, mountain biking, gardening, and cooking.

6. What is your favorite food? Anything ethnic, really.

7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life? High school debate teacher

8. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Hawaii followed by almost any other sunny beach.

9. What is your favorite season? Summer

10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it? It changes from time to time; right now I would say “Cooking is the great divide between good eating and bad.” Barabara Kingsolver

Q&A with ASTE faculty member Brian Warnick

1. Where did you grow up? Lyman, WY

2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there?
BS – USU – 1994 – I chose Utah State because it is a family tradition. I am a 4th generation Aggie. My great-grandfather graduated from USU in agriculture in 1915.
MS – USU – 1998 – I chose to do my master’s degree with Gary Straquadine in secondary/post secondary agricultural education. This was a great choice!
PhD – Oregon State University – 2004 – I had the opportunity to work with some great people and to have a faculty position in agricultural education while working on my degree. We really enjoyed the Corvallis area and the Oregon Coast.

3. What got you interested in Ag? I always enjoyed the time I spent working on my grandparents’ farms and we always had livestock when I was growing up, but a career in agriculture was not on my radar screen initially. My bachelor’s degrees are in biology teaching and special education. During my first teaching job at Box Elder High School I was given an opportunity to teach agriculture classes and help advise the FFA chapter. I absolutely loved it!!! I was hooked and have never looked back.

4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University? My goal is to fully prepare my students to become successful agriculture teachers and extension educators so they can make a positive difference in the lives of the next generation of agriculturists.

5. What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy golfing, gardening, Aggie basketball and football, and spending time with my family.

6. What is your favorite food? My wife’s chocolate chip cookies!

7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life? There are many great people who have influenced my life, but I would say my parents, my wife, and my kids have had the greatest influence in my life.

8. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Oregon Coast

9. What is your favorite season? Aggie Basketball Season! I also enjoy spring and fall in Cache Valley.

10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it? I have lots of favorite quotes, but my current favorite quote is “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Groundbreaking for new building set for tomorrow

The College of Agriculture at Utah State University will break ground on a new building located on the east side of the University’s historic quad that will be the center for 21st century agriculture research and teaching. The prestigious location highlights the continuing commitment of Utah State University to agriculture research, the agricultural industry and USU’s land-grant mission. The $43 million building will take two years to complete.

A groundbreaking ceremony is Tuesday, May 4, and begins at 2 p.m. at the building site. All are invited.

News of the groundbreaking follows the passage and signing of House Bill 282, sponsored by Sen. Lyle Hillyard and Rep. Fred Hunsaker of the Utah legislature. The bill released bond funds for the building approved by the legislature in the 2008 legislative session.

The 125,000-square-foot building will feature two main sections. The first will be comprised of three stories of high-tech laboratories and research space to be used by students and faculty. It will also house a new university-operated computer lab, lecture and classroom space and public areas. The second section is a four-story structure that will face south and house the faculty and administrative offices, replacing the existing Ag Science Building finished in 1955.

“What an exciting moment in the history of the College of Agriculture,” said Noelle Cockett, vice president for Extension and Agriculture. “We appreciate so much the support that was provided in securing the building’s funding. The research, education and outreach of those within the building will continue to make a significant contribution to Utah, and their outcomes will span the globe.”

100 Years Later.....

If one were to pass Phyllis Smith on campus at Utah State University, he or she probably wouldn’t notice anything unusual about her. She appears to be just another student pursuing an Ornamental Horticulture degree in USU’s College of Agriculture. But if one were to take a minute to get to know her, they might find out that she has an interesting story to tell. Smith will be graduating in May from the College of Ag exactly 100 years after her grandfather, Robert Haslam Stewart, did in 1910.

“I didn’t realize that I would be graduating exactly 100 years after my grandfather did until he was inducted into the College of Ag’s Hall of Honor in 2008,” she said with a smile. “It was then that I thought to myself, ‘this is pretty cool.’”

After spending the last few years in pursuit of her degree at USU, Smith is finally seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel. The road to graduation is a process that has taken some 30 plus years for her to complete. After growing up in a small southern Idaho town and graduating high school, she pursued a degree from the College of Southern Idaho, eventually finishing with Associate of Arts degree. While attending school, though, she struggled in deciding what to do for a career. Then as she began to raise a family, the thought of continuing her education faded away. After moving many times throughout Utah, Smith ended up in Cache Valley when her husband accepted a job at USU. Once her kids were grown, she began auditing classes on campus and enrolled in an annuals and perennials class, which immediately sparked her interest.

“The rest is history from there,” she exclaimed. “It’s funny that I started my education pursuing a fine arts degree and ended up doing this. This is the last thing in the world that I would have expected to have done with my life 30 years ago. I grew up on a farm and I swore that I would have nothing to do with farming or agriculture, but look at me now.”

Although Smith interacted with her grandfather regularly during his life, she didn’t connect him with USU until she received a book that he published about his life and the experiences he had.

“When I started to really pursue my degree here, I remember thinking, ‘this is where Grandpa went,’” she said with a chuckle. “I sure hope he is proud of me.”

Stewart had a large impact on Utah agriculture during his life. After graduating from the College of Ag in 1910, he became Utah’s first county agriculture Extension agent. He began his work in 1913 in the Carbon and Emery counties, and eventually headed north to lead Extension efforts in Box Elder County. Always involved in the community, he started 4-H clubs early on, which were known then as Boys and Girls Clubs. With the backing of the Farm Bureau leaders, he promoted the county fair in Tremonton and Dairy Days and Peach Days in Brigham City. He also promoted community beautification projects such as the Main Street tree lining in Brigham City. In addition, he also organized rabbit extermination drives and helped establish a dental cooperative so farm families could afford adequate dental care. Throughout his agricultural career, Stewart encouraged use of superior livestock breeds, grains and fruit varieties, and emphasized weed control and soil conservation.

Although Smith is unsure what she will do with her Ornamental Horticulture degree once she graduates, she is very proud to graduate from the same college that her grandfather did 100 years ago.

“I am thinking of maybe doing some graduate work,” she explained. “No matter what I end up doing, this experience has been really cool.”

Silvana Martini Awarded College of Ag Faculty Researcher of the Year

Silvana has amassed a most impressive record of research productivity and achievement during her four and a half years at USU.

The central focus of Silvana's research program is to understand mechanisms involved with lipid crystallization and how these processes can be controlled to improve food quality and nutrition. This unique area of research has great potential al1d importance to the food industry. For example, Silvana is looking at how ultrasonic processing effects crystallization of unsaturated fats so to mimic characteristics observed with saturated fats. This is an unexplored area that will be key to developing alternative processing strategies for production of healthy food products with good physiochemical and sensory characteristics.

As a doctoral student and post doctoral associate she published frequently before coming to USU including 18 refereed papers, one book chapter and 21 presentations at scientific meetings. She has built on that record since arriving at USU. Her remarkable intellectual and research productivity at USU includes 15 refereed articles in very good journals, four invited book chapters (plus two other submitted), a provisional patent, and 27 presentations.

Silvana has received over $1.8 million in research funding since becoming a faculty member. Most of that funding was through nationally competitive mechanisms and this confirms her ability to compete for extramural funding on a national scale. On those grants where Silvana was co-PI, she had well defined roles that were key to the success of the overall projects. On those grants where Silvana was PI, she both contributed her individual scientific expertise and demonstrated an ability to motivate, organize and coordinate interdisciplinary teams of researchers.

The College of Ag Welcomes Earl Creech

The College of Agriculture at Utah State University welcomes Earl Creech as assistant professor and extension agronomist in the plants, soils and climate department. Creech’s scientific background is in corn and soybean production, weed science and agronomy.

Creech comes back to his roots in Cache Valley where he was born and raised. He attended USU receiving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in agronomy (2001) and a master’s degree in weed science (2003). He headed to West Layfette, Ind. to attend Purdue University graduating with a doctorate in weed science specializing in soybean production (2007).

Creech spent the last two years working for the University of Nevada, Reno as an Extension weed specialist. He worked on a variety of projects helping agriculture professionals increase production output while lowering production costs.

He is excited to be back in Cache Valley and to start working with farmers around the state to improve agricultural production.

“This is my dream job,” he said. “Since I was little I always wanted to have this job. It’s wild that it has actually happened.”

Some of the challenges that Creech for sees for Utah farmers are finding ways for them to make a living. With the rising costs of fertilizers, seed and equipment farmers are forced to find new and improved ways to produce more at a lower cost.

“I will be spending a lot of time on the road,” he said. “I need to see first hand the problems that Utah farmers are facing.”

Creech will be reaching out to agriculture community through workshops, meetings, field tours, publications and Web based communications.

Crook Awarded College of Ag Undergraduate Researcher of the Year

Jeremy began to learn about plants by working in landscaping and collecting house plants. At one point he had over 250 house plants which he cared for and studied. Utah State University was a logical place where he could continue developing this passion for plants. During his time at USU, he has worked as a landscape manager, an aquatic plant propagator, a nursery manager, and a chokecherry researcher. In 2008 and 2009 Jeremy was awarded an Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities (URCO) grant to research chokecherries with Dr. Brent Black. There have been many opportunities to present this research at a national level. His research has been presented at the National Controlled Environment NCERA – 101 meeting in Park City, the USU Undergraduate Research Symposium, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) national conference in St. Louis, MO, and Research on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City.

Jeremy has been actively engaged with several national horticulture groups including the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS), where he is a Bruce Briggs Scholar; the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), where he is the National President for the undergraduate Association of Collegiate Branches (ACB); and is a member of the floriculture, propagation, and graduate working groups. He is also involved with the OFA, an Association of Horticulture Professionals whose focus is in floriculture, and he hopes to be an OFA Scholar in Ohio this summer. His leadership experiences on campus at USU include being voted as president of the National Honors Society in Floriculture, Phi Alpha Xi, Alpha Nu chapter and also working as the President of the Plant Science Club. Jeremy has shared his passion with those around him and helped others involved in horticulture see the many opportunities that exist in this field.

This summer Jeremy will begin a PhD in Plant and Environmental Science at Clemson University in South Carolina. At Clemson he will be working on water conservation in propagation of floriculture crops and studying the fluxes of water through propagules during the propagation rooting stages. His goal is to become a professor, educator and mentor to students all over the world. He looks forward to continued learning and research on plants and sharing that passion and knowledge with those around him.

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture to Speak at USU Extension Annual Conference

Kathleen Merrigan, deputy secretary of agriculture, is coming to Utah State University to speak at the Extension Annual Conference. Her presentation “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” is Thursday, March 4, from 3-4 p.m., in the Eccles Conference Center auditorium. She will address combating childhood obesity and hunger problems by explaining the benefits of making healthier food choices while supporting local farmers. All students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to attend the free presentation.

Merrigan served as an assistant professor and director of the Agriculture, Food and Environment Programs at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston. In 2008, she was an expert consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome. She holds a doctorate in environmental planning and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s of public affairs from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s from Williams College.

“Its an exciting opportunity for USU to have Kathleen here,” explained Noelle Cockett, vice president for Extension and agriculture. “Our students are receiving experience that will make them leaders in tomorrow’s world and it’s important for them to be exposed to the perspective roles of leaders today.”

For more information about the USU Extension annual conference visit the Web site (http://extension.usu.edu).

Q&A with NDFS faculty member Daren Cornforth

1. Where did you grow up? Montrose, Colorado
2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there? I received my BS and MS in Animal Science from Colorado State University (Ft. Collins, CO) and PhD from Michigan State University (E. Lansing, Michigan). I went to CSU because of my background and interest in agriculture. I had been on the campus several times for state 4-H events, and I liked it. Also, my dad was a CSU Animal Science alum, and that influenced me.
3. What got you interested in Ag? I grew up on a small farm, and participated in 4-H events and the county fair from age 9-18 (4-H lifer). The only other major I considered was natural resources. I worked for the Colorado State Forest Service during the summers of my freshman – junior years.
4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University? It is satisfying to see students in my classes complete their degree and go on to find a job and succeed in their profession or business. It is also gratifying to have one’s research published and thereby make a contribution towards acquiring new knowledge and improve food safety, or development of new products and processes. I hope to continue to do both in years to come.
5. What are some of your hobbies? Horse feeding (which I do more of than actual riding). I like to get outside on weekends, hiking/riding in summer, and snowshoeing in winter. I like big game hunting in the fall, and shed antler collecting the rest of the year.
6. What is your favorite food? Hot chili in winter, BBQ steak or shish kabob spicy chicken in summer, sweet potatoes baked in brown sugar, cinnamon toast, grill cheese sandwiches, fresh bread, chocolate cake, caramel pecan sweet rolls; and everything tastes better when I’m hungry after mowing the lawn, or returning from a hike. So, food science is a good fit for me.
7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life? Hard to pick one. My dad, who taught me to work, and took me hiking and hunting. My mom, who made me finish my homework and encouraged me to do my best in school and hobbies. My granddad Booth who encouraged all his grandkids to go to college, and be smart (frugal) with money. And my PhD advisor, Dr. Al Pearson at Michigan State University. He was a USU-ADVS alum, and it was he who helped me complete my degree and informed me of a job opening at USU in 1978. I have been at USU ever since, and feel very fortunate to have spent my career here.
8. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Again, hard to pick one. Fishing, hiking, camping in western Wyoming in late summer fall in the Gray’s River area near Afton, or Yellowstone in September. Also, camping/exploring in southern Idaho around Franklin in October. And close to home, Blacksmith fork and Logan canyon in winter and spring.
9. What is your favorite season? Late winter and spring, to view wintering wildlife, and then to see things green up.
10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it? “Do something worthwhile every day” (by me to my kids). This was the basic message of my parents to me, stated in my own words. And in addition to work, something worthwhile can includes fun things, hobbies, reading, watching TV (always something stimulating and educational on the history or discovery channel), or attending events where one can get out and interact with others.

Q&A with APEC faculty member Charles Sims

1. Where did you grow up? Knoxville, TN
2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there?
Bachelors/Masters - University of TN, Knoxville – close to home, instate tuition
PhD – University of Wyoming, internationally recognized program in Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
3. What got you interested in Ag?
Both sides of family come from dairy farms
4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University? Tenure and a publication in Science
5. What are some of your hobbies?
Snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, gardening
6. What is your favorite food?
Fried catfish or Bar-B-Q
7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life?
My mom
8. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Savannah, Georgia
9. What is your favorite season?
Fall
10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it?
No favorite quote

Q&A with ASTE faculty member Rhonda Miller

1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in southeastern Nebraska.
2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there?
I received a B.S. in Agronomy and Agricultural Economics (dual major) and a M.S. in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska. I received my Ph.D., also in Agronomy, from Iowa State University.
3. What got you interested in Ag?
I was raised on a farm, and started helping on the farm as a young child.
4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University?
Being the Agricultural Environmental Quality Extension specialist, my goal is to help producers navigate the environmental regulations, and avoid having discharges or violations.
5. What are some of your hobbies?
Skiing, gardening, fishing, and camping.
6. What is your favorite food?
It is difficult to pick only one - but definitely something chocolate.
7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life?
I attended a private, Lutheran high school in Mobridge, South Dakota - we stayed in dorms, only going home for the major holidays and summer. That experience, along with the students and faculty, shaped my life in many, many ways.
8. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
The Oregon coast.
9. What is your favorite season?
Spring.
10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it?
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Q & A with new ADVS faculty member Abby Benninghoff

1. Where did you grow up? Knoxville, Tennessee

2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there? I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; I went to UT primarily because it was my local university, though I was fortunate to have an excellent school nearby. I went to the University of Texas at Austin for my doctorate work, and received my Ph.D. in Marine Science. The Marine Science Institute at UT Austin was an excellent place for me integrate my interest in biochemistry, physiology and the environment.

3. What got you interested in Ag? I have long held an interest in animal science, and in using animal models to understand issues not only important for animal health but also for humans. Much of my past work has focused on toxicology and cancer risk. Now, I also have interests in how diet, specifically certain vegetables, can help prevent cancer.

4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University? My number one goal is to establish a successful research program addressing issues important to animal and human health. Our group will conduct research to understand how environmental factors influence gene expression via interaction with the epigenome. Simply put, the “epigenome” is another layer of cellular information that controls when certain genes are turned on or off. Some of these environmental factors we will study include environmental pollutants sometimes found in food called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. We will also investigate certain bioactive chemicals found in healthy foods, like green vegetables and fruits, as cancer preventive agents.

5. What are some of your hobbies? I love to sing, and have been caught on numerous occasions singing to myself while working in the laboratory. While in Oregon, I sang with a women’s community choir for five years, and I’ll definitely be looking for a choir in Logan to join this year. I also like to get out of town to go camping with my dog Indiana, and I’ve done some pretty extensive traveling in the pacific northwest and abroad to Japan and Australia. I also fancy myself a decent amateur photographer.

6. What is your favorite food? On a daily basis, yogurt – can’t go a day without yogurt. For splurges, peanut butter ice cream.

7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life? My father. He encouraged my interest in science from as early as I can remember. Flashes of NOVA on PBS from before I was in grade school are my earliest memories. He’s also pushed me to excel, and not to be satisfied with anything less than my best effort. My mother has been influential as well, but Dad really did have the most impact.

8. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Trout Creek campground, Willamette National forest in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon. Best camp site I have ever had. Hopefully, Utah will have some great places to compete! I plan to scour the Wasatch mountains for good camping come summertime.

9. What is your favorite season? Fall, I think. There is something wonderful about the changing colors of the leaves and the start of a new school year. Lots of possibilities in the air.

10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it? “There is no finish line in the work of science”, President Barack Obama, 3/9/2009 Regardless of one’s political persuasion, this quote really rings true for all scientists. Our work is never done - there are always more questions to tackle.

Taylor Adams Chosen to Participate in USDA Forum

Taylor Adams, a junior in the Agriculture Systems Technology Education department at Utah State University has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program after writing and submitting an essay on agriculture as a career.

USDA launched the Diversity Program in 2007 that focuses on students majoring in agriculture-related majors at land-grant colleges and universities. The program provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about agribusiness, the latest research, future trends and policy in contemporary agriculture at the forum, which takes place in Washington, D.C.

“I will be able to not only network with other students from land-grant universities nationwide, but also learn from professionals in agriculture,” she said. “I am excited to bring back to USU what I have learned from policy makers, producers, students and business executives in agriculture.”

Adams wrote about the careers in agriculture in the past, present and future from her view as an agricultural communication and journalism major. She decided to enter the Student Diversity Program because the opportunity of winning the contest would provide a priceless experience. She is excited for the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., to meet new people and learn more about agriculture.

Adams will be in Washington, D.C., in February for two days to participate in the forum.