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October has been a busy and exciting month, filled with programs and events that bring our OSU Agriculture family together. From OSU Ag Honors and Cowboy Stampede to OSU Homecoming, we’ve had many opportunities to celebrate, recognize achievements and connect with the people who make OSU Agriculture special.
It was wonderful to see our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and supporters participating in these activities and showing their support for OSU Agriculture. Your engagement, enthusiasm and commitment to our mission help strengthen our community and make a lasting impact on the future of agriculture.
As we reflect on a month full of meaningful connections and celebrations, I’m grateful for everyone who contributes to the success of OSU Agriculture. Thank you for the many ways you support our teaching, research and Extension missions and for being part of the OSU Agriculture family.
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Jayson Lusk
Vice President and Dean
OSU Agriculture
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OSU Ag Honors
Jayson and Christy Lusk, with son Harrison, helped celebrate the recipients of the 2026 Ferguson College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumni and Champion for OSU Agriculture Award during the OSU Ag Honors Ceremony on Oct. 16.
| | 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
From competitor to full-time assistant coach at age 23, Joby Bush has seen each side of the OSU rodeo scene. Experiencing his 8th Cowboy Stampede, Bush shares how his experiences in the arena have prepared him to guide the next generation of OSU rodeo competitors.
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Research
With more than 50% of the world’s migratory bird species in decline—and North American numbers dropping by over 60%—understanding and halting these trends is a critical global challenge. OSU researchers are actively tackling this crisis through hands-on, campus-wide conservation science.
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Extension
Researchers from the OSU departments of plant and soil sciences and horticulture and landscape architecture have spent over 40 years developing turfgrass varieties that improve the quality of lawns, golf courses, sports fields and grass racetracks worldwide, and their work is far from finished.
| | Agronomy Discovery Center | |
A Sign of Progress
With the location of the new Agronomy Discovery Center announced, the “coming soon” sign is officially up, marking a milestone for this once-in-a-generation opportunity. The collection of facilities will be situated just north of the existing agronomy farm, off Western and Virginia roads in Stillwater. The center will include new greenhouses to support our wheat, turfgrass and horticultural breeding programs, along with field research infrastructure for soil fertility, weed science and crop production across Oklahoma’s major commodities.
Bringing this vision to life requires significant investment, and OSU Agriculture is grateful to those who have recognized the importance of the work happening at the agronomy farm and who stepped up to help. However, more work is needed to reach the fundraising goal. OSU Agriculture looks forward to sharing more progress as this vision becomes reality.
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Southern Region Excellence in Extension Award
Dr. Brian Arnall, OSU Extension specialist for precision nutrient management, is the recipient of the 2026 Southern Region Excellence in Extension Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Cooperative Extension and the Association of Public Land-grant Universities. This award recognizes the impact and public value of Arnall’s OSU Extension programming: Precision Nutrient Management to Advance Producer Profitability and Environmental Stewardship. Throughout his career, he has advanced science-based nutrient management by helping producers improve profitability while enhancing nutrient use efficiency and environmental stewardship through precision agriculture.
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Hiberbaric Global Roadshow Comes to FAPC
High-pressure processing is often associated with food safety, but speakers at the recent Hiperbaric Global Roadshow at OSU showed how the technology also may support cleaner labels, product quality, value recovery and commercialization across a range of food products. The workshop brought processors, researchers, equipment specialists and industry partners to OSU’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center for technical presentations and hands-on demonstrations using FAPC’s Hiperbaric 55 HPP system.
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Homecoming Celebration
There’s nothing quite like America’s Greatest Homecoming! The Ferguson College of Agriculture welcomed alumni back to OSU for a homecoming celebration and recognized 50-, 25- and 10-year graduates who received their first degrees from the Ferguson College of Agriculture in 1976, 2001 and 2016.
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National FFA President
Congratulations to Ferguson College of Agriculture student Josie Jennings for being elected to serve as the 2026-2027 National FFA Organization President. This is an incredible accomplishment, and OSU Agriculture looks forward to seeing the impact she will make throughout her year of service.
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Extension Experience
Dana Zook, OSU Extension northwest area livestock specialist, and Kallie Clifton, OSU Extension southeast area agricultural economist, discuss beef markets, calf preconditioning and some of Clifton’s favorite fall activities.
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The Food Files
With the change in the Oklahoma Food Freedom law, there will be many updates for home-based food businesses. Dr. Darren Scott talks with FAPC’s Maria Lopez-Wilson about what’s changing, what home-based food producers need to know and where entrepreneurs can turn for help as they start or grow a food business.
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SUNUP - How to Estimate Your Herd’s Hay Needs This Fall and Winter
Are you prepared for the winter feeding season? In this episode of Cow-Calf Corner, Dr. Mark Johnson, OSU Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, shares essential strategies and practical tips for accurately estimating your herd’s hay and forage requirements this fall and winter.
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Oklahoma Gardening - Growing Healthy Food for Communities at Natural Freedom Farm
Natural Freedom Farm’s founder, Brooke Freeman, shares her journey of launching a non-profit regenerative farm in Chandler, Oklahoma, to provide fresh produce to children in need. Learn how her operation utilizes soil-budgeting practices, fosters community through mentorship, and participates in an OSU Extension-supported apprenticeship program to train new growers and feed local communities.
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A Sunrise Silhouette
A silhouette of a lone tree stands against a vibrant, glowing golden sunrise over the OSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center.
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OSU Ag Honors
OSU Agriculture recognized recipients of the 2026 Ferguson College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumni and Champion for OSU Agriculture awards during its recent Honors ceremony.
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Field Day
The Livestock and Range Field Day will be held at the Range Cow Research Center on Nov. 5 to help agricultural producers advance their operations through research and new technologies.
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Totusek Lectureship
The Department of Animal and Food Sciences is hosting the 33rd annual Totusek Lectureship on Nov. 20 in the OSU Student Union Ballroom to explore advancements in animal agriculture and food science.
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Seniors of Significance
The OSU Alumni Association named 58 Seniors of Significance for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Ferguson College of Agriculture led the group with 18 students achieving the prestigious award.
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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.
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Oklahoma State University Agriculture
202 Agricultural Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
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