October 2025

October has been a special time on campus with celebrating, reflecting and connecting. This month, we had the privilege of honoring the outstanding individuals and traditions that make OSU Agriculture so strong.

On Oct. 3, we gathered for OSU Ag Honors to celebrate our 2025 Distinguished Alumni and Champions for OSU Agriculture. This group’s dedication to excellence and service continues to elevate OSU Agriculture and inspire the next generation of leaders. I encourage you to visit OSU Ag Honors online and learn more about this year’s honorees.

We also welcomed hundreds of alumni, families and friends back to campus for the OSU Ag Tailgate on Oct. 11 and the Ferguson College of Agriculture Homecoming Celebration on Oct. 17, and we had thousands of fans join us to support our rodeo team at the annual Cowboy Stampede on Oct. 2-4. These events are opportunities to reconnect, share stories and celebrate the Cowboy spirit that unites us all. They also allow us to promote OSU Agriculture initiatives that are helping to serve Oklahoma and impact the world. Please watch the video below to learn more about these initiatives, focusing on the Agronomy Discovery Center, the Beef Center of Excellence and advancing value-added agriculture.

Christy and I have enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces and meeting new ones alike during our recent events. Thank you for being a part of our OSU Agriculture journey.

Jayson Lusk

Vice President and Dean

OSU Agriculture

Ag is Big in Oklahoma

Wheat production, beef cattle production and value-added agriculture.

How OSU Ag is Transforming Wheat, Beef & Beyond

OSU Agriculture is focusing on initiatives to impact the world through the areas of beef cattle production, wheat production and value-added agriculture.

Dr. Lusk's Lens

Cowboy Stampede

Dr. Lusk and Christy Lusk, along with Danielle Bellmer, assistant dean of academic programs, and Cynda Clary, associate dean of academic programs, attended the 12th Annual Cowboy Stampede Rodeo in early October to watch rodeo competitors showcase their skills and cheer on the OSU Rodeo Team.

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.

Teaching

Entomology and psychology student Angelique Robinson is working on four research projects, including a heart regeneration study.

Research

OSU entomologist Wyatt Hoback is studying the benefits of the American burying beetle and various Oklahoma dung beetles.

Extension

OSU Extension will tap into the expertise of Nila Pradhananga in her new role as Extension state specialist for food and nutrition security.

Shaping Tomorrow Today, The Future is Now

Invest in Fundamental and Emerging Areas of Science and Technology

To successfully push the frontiers of knowledge, create innovative solutions for Oklahoma citizens, and attract grants and industry engagement, OSU Agriculture must invest in emerging areas of science and support scientific innovation. Over the next five years, OSU Agriculture will add capacity in artificial intelligence, nutritional and health consequences resulting from agricultural production, molecular plant and animal breeding and digital agriculture, precision agriculture and big data.

Campus Pulse

Kayleen and Larry Ferguson stand in front of Ag Hall with a Welcome Home Ferguson sign.

50-year graduates were acknowledged during the Homecoming Celebration.

Ferguson students pose in front of a Ferguson College of Agriculture display.

Participants stand in line for food during the Ferguson Homecoming Celebration.

Welcome Home, Alumni

The Ferguson College of Agriculture celebrated America's Greatest Homecoming with alumni, students and friends. Thank you to those who stopped by the Ferguson College Homecoming Celebration!

Minds at Work

Black and orange text word cloud that describes land-grant.

"Land-Grant is ..." Word Cloud

Faculty, staff and students shared one word they feel represents the land-grant mission during Land-Grant Week. The result was a vibrant collection of words that reflect the perspectives and values of the land-grant community.

Voices from the Field

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing farming.

“SUNUP” - How AI is Reshaping U.S. Agriculture

During the 2025 Rural Economic Outlook Conference, Heather Hampton Knodle, Illinois farmer and Federal Communications Commission Precision Agriculture Task Force member, joined “SUNUP” host Lyndall Stout to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing farming. Discover how producers can integrate AI tools for smarter decision-making, improved yields and sustainable growth. Learn what AI means for rural America’s future and why now is the time to adapt.

Sow and Grow

Casey Hentges gives a tour of the Sensory Garden at The Botanic Garden at OSU.

“Oklahoma Gardening” - Sensory Garden

Casey Hentges, host of “Oklahoma Gardening,” gives a tour of the Sensory Garden at The Botanic Garden at OSU. Then, she catches up with Dylan Jasna, Tobacco Settlement Endowed Trust associate director of campaigns and brands, to learn more about TSET and Shape Your Future resources.

Photo Spotlight

Close-up of white mums at the Botanic Garden at OSU.

Autumn Blooms

Beautiful mums were grown at The Botanic Garden at OSU and sold during the recent mum and pumpkin sale.

News & Events

Ag is Big in Oklahoma yard letters in front of Agricultural Hall.

OSU Ag Tailgate

OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends gathered on the Monroe Courtyard of Ag Hall to celebrate OSU Agriculture's impact on the state, region and nation.

Winter Crops School

Registration is open for OSU Extension's annual Winter Crops School to be held Dec. 16-17 at OSU Agricultural Hall in Stillwater. Space is limited to the first 160 registered individuals.

OSU Ag Honors

OSU honored an exceptional group of individuals who have brought distinction to the Ferguson College of Agriculture and demonstrated a continuous commitment to ag sciences and natural resources.

Gardening Passion

What started as an opportunity in Courtney DeKalb-Myers' teens to spend more time with her dad turned into a career as a new assistant Extension consumer horticulture specialist.

Give to OSU Agriculture

Plant Seeds of Progress

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