April 2026

The spring semester is winding down, and April is shaping up to be a busy month across OSU Agriculture. From scholarship banquets recognizing student achievement and donor support to upcoming opportunities for connection, this is a time to celebrate progress and engagement across our division.

We are preparing to host the first Beef Center of Excellence Advisory Board meeting this week, an important milestone that will bring together industry leaders to guide the program's future work. We will also hold a Dean’s Dialogue on April 27, with special guest Donnie Smith, former CEO of Tyson Foods, who will discuss his experiences in the agricultural industry. In addition, we look forward to welcoming the U.S. Farm Report College Roadshow to the OSU campus on April 30, an exciting opportunity to showcase our students, faculty and programs on a national stage.

Thank you to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners who continue to make these moments possible.

Warm regards,

Jayson Lusk

Vice President and Dean

OSU Agriculture

Dr. Lusk's Lens

Christy and Jayson Lusk with a baby lamb and the OSU Sheep and Goat Center.

Little Lamb

Christy and Jayson Lusk visit newborn lambs at the OSU Sheep and Goat Center.

Mission Focus

OSU Agriculture is comprised of the Ferguson College of Agriculture and two state agencies: OSU Ag Research and OSU Extension. Learn the latest from our three mission areas.

Tatum Kennedy receives the Louis and Betty Gardner Award.

Teaching

Tatumn Kennedy of Meeker, Colorado, was named the 2026 Louis and Betty Gardner Outstanding Senior, the highest honor given to a senior in the Ferguson College of Agriculture.

Research

Endarra 81 combines exceptional drought resistance with deep roots, positioning OSU’s Turfgrass Improvement Team to introduce a variety crafted for homeowners.

Extension

OSU Extension is offering the RAiSE – Recognizing Affective States in Equine – online course to help horse owners understand their animals’ psychological well-being.

Shaping Tomorrow Today, The Future is Now

Dr. Sergio Abit teaches a Soil Science Teaching Workshop.

Objectives and Key Performance Indicators - Cross-Cutting Indicators

The pursuit of broad priorities and the success of critical actions depend on measuring specific objectives through key performance indicators. Performance indicators provide a mechanism for measuring progress and ensuring OSU Agriculture’s initiatives and priorities are effectively implemented and achieved. Accordingly, the following sub-goals emerge for cross-cutting indicators that support the priorities and critical actions of OSU Agriculture’s strategic plan.

Create at least 5 new endowed chairs by 2030.
Achieve an annual faculty turnover rate of less than 5% by 2030.
Achieve an annual staff turnover rate of less than 10% by 2030.
Have at least eight faculty, staff or administrators annually serve in national and international leadership roles with government, industry or academic societies by 2030.
Create programs to reward and incentivize faculty and staff for high productivity by 2030.
Conduct a sludge audit to identify unnecessary or inefficient processes and practices in OSU Agriculture by 2030.

Event Horizon

Relevant Issues in Agriculture

Join us for the next Dean’s Dialogue on April 27 from 4-5 p.m. in room 135, Agricultural Hall. Jayson Lusk will sit down with Donnie Smith, former CEO of Tyson Foods, to discuss the future of animal agriculture.

Lights, Camera, Action

National TV Show Coming to OSU

The U.S. Farm Report College Roadshow will visit OSU on April 30. The U.S. Farm Report brings its show on the road to land-grant universities to talk with policy experts and tell stories showcasing the agricultural research taking place on campuses across the nation. A live taping will take place in the Agricultural Hall Courtyard, starting at 9 a.m. During the event, the Ferguson College of Agriculture will hold an end-of-the-year celebration, featuring food, lawn games, prizes and a sign contest.

Watch the U.S. Farm Report

Campus Pulse

Two students holding Ferguson Week sign.

Cornhole tournament during Ferguson Week.

Students at the hamburger cookout during Ferguson Week.

Pickleball tournament during Ferguson Week.

Ferguson Week 2026

The Ferguson College of Agriculture celebrated Ferguson Week, March 23-27, with various activities, including a cookout, pickleball and cornhole tournaments, and a scholarship and awards banquet.

On Air

Extension Experience

This Extension Experience episode dives into fly control in general and a popular product that seems to be gaining popularity – garlic. Tune in to hear the ins and outs of garlic as a fly control for Oklahoma producers.

Listen to Extension Experience Episode

The Food Files - FAPC

What does “Built for What’s Next” actually mean? This Food Files episode takes a closer look at FAPC’s 2026 modernization effort and how new capabilities are being brought online through a phased, intentional approach.

Listen to The Food Files Episode

The Urban Gardener

In this episode, Marcus Long, an urban soil conservationist with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, discusses why the commission was formed and the services and programs it offers, including the Yard-By-Yard program.

Listen to The Urban Gardener Episode

Voices from the Field

“SUNUP” - Drought Impacting Oklahoma Wheat; OSU Field Days Ahead

Amanda De Oliveira Silva, OSU Extension small grains specialist, discusses how persistent drought conditions are affecting the development and yield potential of the Oklahoma wheat crop.

Sow and Grow

“Oklahoma Gardening” - Master Your Mow: The Essential Spring Mower Maintenance Guide

Discover how to transition your equipment from winter storage to spring performance by mastering the “vital signs” from oil clarity and filter health to the precision balance of a sharpened blade.

Photo Spotlight

Blushing Blooms

With longer days, warmer weather and crops in bloom, spring has officially sprung on campus.

News & Events

Pesticide Disposal

OSU Extension and the Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Program partner with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to help people dispose of unwanted pesticides safely.

Grazing School

While sustainable grazing practices are beneficial to producers, many lack access to training, a problem OSU Extension is helping to solve with the inaugural Oklahoma Grazing School workshop this spring.

Untapped Value

The question driving Sydney Vieira’s master’s thesis research is whether planting loblolly pine on marginal land in eastern Oklahoma is financially viable and if carbon markets could improve returns.

Student Scholarships

The Ferguson College of Agriculture presented scholarships to more than 150 continuing students, part of the $1.8 million awarded for the 2026-27 academic year, at the annual Scholarships and Awards Banquet.

Give to OSU Agriculture

The Code Calls

How will you answer? Supporting OSU Agriculture helps further initiatives to positively impact the lives of Oklahomans and the state’s economy.

Make a Gift

Oklahoma State University Agriculture

202 Agricultural Hall

Stillwater, OK 74078