Dear K-State College of Agriculture Alumni and Friends,


As we complete a whirlwind in September and early October, it's clear that agriculture's pulse beats vibrantly at K-State and across Kansas. We hope you joined us in celebrating agriculture's role in shaping our Kansas economy and economies far beyond our borders.


We’ve had a busy fall on campus, and below is just a snapshot of the great work and exciting collaborations happening in the College of Agriculture. We hope to continue to stay engaged with you and love seeing your alumni and friends in Manhattan and beyond.


As always, if you have any questions or concerns or want to connect prospective students with the College of Agriculture, please get in touch or check out our website at https://www.ag.k-state.edu/ or email us at [email protected].


With purple pride,



Ernie Minton

Eldon Gideon Dean, College of Agriculture;

Director, K-State Research and Extension


All-University Career Fair - Seeds of Opportunity

On September 19, we hosted 125 companies spanning various sectors of the agriculture industry during Ag Day at the All-University Career Fair. With 900 current students in attendance, the event brimmed with the energy of opportunity. It was a testament to the enduring appeal and vitality of the agricultural field and the high demand for our students and alumni throughout the industry.


Students and alumni explored opportunities for internships, co-ops, part-time and full-time positions to apply their learnings to practice in the industry.


Mark your calendars for next year's All-University Career Fair, held the fifth week of class. This three-day, multi-industry extravaganza welcomes students and alumni of all backgrounds, majors and graduation years to explore endless possibilities.

Nurturing Future Leaders - 2023 Student Summit

On September 22, the College of Agriculture hosted a Student Summit for high school students and their parents. Workshops and major-specific tours highlighted the day, showcasing opportunities within the College of Agriculture. 


Twenty-seven prospective students and their families embarked on campus tours, engaged in insightful panel discussions with real K-State ag students, and delved into the world of agricultural majors and K-State's extensive services during a captivating browsing fair.


“Families loved getting to talk to campus partners, including housing and dining, financial aid, honors, and band,” said Deana Core, Assistant Dean of Academic Programs. “Many told me they had no idea there were so many options within the college. They also liked knowing that if they have interests in several areas of ag, they can still take classes from other majors, add minors and certificates, and not take a lot of extra time and money to do everything they’d like or change their majors.”


It had been several years since the college hosted a recruitment event like this. Core said that based on this event's success, she plans to do more events to showcase opportunities in the College of Agriculture for high school students and their families.

Celebrate Ag Day - Connecting with Consumers

A single day could barely contain the Celebrate Ag Day 2023 festivities on September 23. Activities spilled from the concourse of Bramlage Coliseum to the west side lawn and sidewalk with 29 booths representing agricultural and industry outreach groups, offering interactive experiences to deepen connections with agriculture. 

Our exhibitors included:

  • Agronomy
  • Agronomy Crops Team & Wheat State Agronomy Club
  • Animal Sciences and Industry
  • Bakery Science - Grain Science and Industry
  • Biological and Agricultural Engineering
  • College of Agriculture
  • Collegiate Farm Bureau - Kansas Farm Bureau
  • Communications and Agricultural Education; K-State Research and Extension
  • Digital Ag Team
  • Entomology
  • From the Land of Kansas
  • Helwig Farms ¼ Scale Tractor Team
  • Horticulture and Natural Resources
  • Johnson Cancer Research Center
  • K-State 105
  • K-State MANRRS & Ag Diversity Programs Office
  • K-State Rodeo
  • Kansas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Kansas Farm Bureau
  • Kansas FFA Association
  • Kansas Forest Service
  • Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
  • Kansas Grain Sorghum
  • Kansas Soybean Commission
  • KCARE
  • Milling Science - Grain Science and Industry
  • Plant Pathology
  • Prairieland Partners
  • Wilson Trailers

More than a thousand visitors participated in the day's activities, with 1,000 completing their Ag Day passports and claiming Celebrate Ag Day T-shirts. 


We’ve had requests to purchase the Ag Day T-shirts, which are currently in production. Stay tuned for information on the K-State Ag social media channels for ordering information.


The event showcased a dynamic blend of hands-on and interactive exhibits, featuring everything from water tables and tractors to robots and interactive photo booths. It was a testament to the incredible impact of agriculture, driving our shared mission forward.

Ag Alumni & Friends Tailgate - A Vision for Tomorrow

More than 360 individuals joined us for the College of Ag Alumni & Friends Tailgate on the floor of Bramlage Coliseum, a place where networking and the future of agriculture merged. Eldon Gideon Dean Ernie Minton and Marshall Stewart, Senior Vice President for Executive Affairs for K-State, provided an update on the Agriculture Innovation Initiative, a game-changing venture poised to transform education, research, and industry collaboration.


This initiative isn't just for our students and faculty; it's a university-wide effort to foster interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving, driven by industry partners and supporters. Together, we aim to redefine the landscape of food, agriculture, and beyond, leveraging the unmatched K-State experience to spark innovation that benefits our society.


Learn more about the Agriculture Innovation Initiative and see how you or your organization can get involved and give today to support this essential next step for the K-State College of Agriculture.

Agriculture Innovation Initiative

Gardiner Lecture Series - The Future of Agriculture Trade, Geopolitics, and Food

Gregg Doud, a distinguished K-State Ag alumnus, delivered the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture on October 9. His lecture shed light on the future of agriculture trade, geopolitics, and food. His insights, grounded in extensive experience, unveiled a detailed analysis of the industry's trajectory. Doud just finished as the Vice President of Global Situational Awareness and Chief Economist at Aimpoint Research and is starting a new role as CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.


In a world marked by swiftly evolving trade dynamics and geopolitics, the United States faces challenges on multiple fronts. China emerges as a global trade behemoth, Brazil advances in soybean and corn production, and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) dominate global food production and trade. Yet, Doud believes in the immense potential of the United States, particularly in technology and exports.


As the demand for meat and poultry products soars and supplies threaten to fall short, the United States is uniquely poised to meet the world's protein needs. According to Doud, our country is the solution the world needs, and the time to act is now. The future of agriculture, it seems, lies firmly within our borders. His talk is now available to view online.


Prior to the lecture, Doud spent the day on campus visiting with K-State students and faculty.


The Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems Lecture Series offers science-based education about global food systems, serving as a vital platform for interaction between university students, faculty, staff, the broader Kansas community, and the leaders of the U.S. and international food industry.

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