September 2025

The fall semester is in full swing, and with it comes the familiar rhythm of classes, research, service and activity that defines our land-grant mission.

Not only did we welcome the official start of the fall season on Sept. 22, but we also kicked off OSU Land-Grant Week. Land-Grant Week is a time to reflect on the foundation and future of OSU Agriculture. Being a land-grant institution means more than just a historical designation—it’s a living commitment to accessible education, innovative research and community engagement. It’s about serving Oklahomans and beyond with practical solutions and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff member or alum, your contributions help fulfill a promise made more than 150 years ago – to use knowledge for the public good.

Thank you for all you do to advance our mission.

Jayson Lusk

Vice President and Dean

OSU Agriculture

Dr. Lusk's Lens

A rainy selfie of the Dean Team during the United Way Day of Caring.

Rolling up our Sleeves for a Great Cause 💪

The “Dean Team” participated in the United Way Day of Caring for a morning of giving back and making a difference in Stillwater. Dr. Lusk was joined by Jerry Ritchey of the College of Veterinary Medicine, James Payne of the Spears School of Business and Hanchen Huang of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

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

The Ferguson College of Agriculture celebrated 11 years of teaching excellence by honoring past recipients of the college’s four teaching award programs.

Research

Take a guided tour through the OSU beef cattle research stations and hear the latest on beef production during the Livestock & Range Field Day on Oct. 9.

An outdoor portrait of Emma White in front of Mesonet equipment.

Extension

Emma White is the new agricultural outreach specialist for the Oklahoma Mesonet. White helps promote Mesonet applications across the state.

Shaping Tomorrow Today, The Future is Now

Three people in a peanut research field.

Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset and Expand OSU Agriculture’s Resource Base

OSU Ag Research and OSU Extension are both heavily reliant on funding from the state of Oklahoma, which has decreased over the past two decades. Creating impactful programs in the years ahead will require identifying new sources of revenue. Adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and being open to strategic opportunities that expand the resource base are keys to enabling OSU Agriculture to conduct more research and offer more programs that serve stakeholders.

Expanding OSU Agriculture’s resource base implies incentivizing grants, industry contracts, fee-for-service programs, micro-credentialing and active engagement. It also advocates partnering with donors, foundations, commodity organizations, industry and the legislature to leverage existing state and federal investments. Leveraging partnerships allows OSU Agriculture to tap into new funding streams, access cutting-edge technologies, and create a more resilient and impactful agricultural community.

Campus Pulse

Two Ferguson College of Agriculture students holding chocolate chip cookies during Cookies and Careers event.

Emma White giving a Mesonet demo at a tabling event during Land-Grant Week.

Mandy Gross giving a land-grant sticker to a student during Land-Grant Week.

A student writing on a sticky note to add to the land-grant word cloud during Land-Grant Week.

We Are Land-Grant

OSU celebrated Land-Grant Week September 22-26! OSU Agriculture showcased what it means to be a land-grant institution by promoting available career services resources, spotlighting the work of the Oklahoma Mesonet and forming a word cloud that represents land-grant.

Hands that Help

Blayne Arthur receives her 4-H Outstanding Alumni Award.

4-H Honors State Award Recipients

The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program recognized its 2025 Outstanding Alumni and State Partner in 4-H Award winners.

Dea Rash - Outstanding Alumni Award

Blayne Arthur - Outstanding Alumni Award

Jim Rutledge – State Partner in 4-H Award

Brenda Sidwell – State Partner in 4-H Award

Lynda and Jerry Shoemake – State Partner in 4-H Award

Ag Advocacy

Senator Markwayne Mullin's staff standing in a greenhouse at the Agronomy Research Station.

Senator James Lankford's staff stand in a greenhouse at the Agronomy Research Station.

Agronomy Discovery Center

OSU Agriculture welcomed staff from Sens. Markwayne Mullin and James Lankford’s offices for a tour of the OSU Agronomy Research Station. Both visits included discussions about the future of wheat research and education, including plans for the Agronomy Discovery Center.

Learn More about Agronomy Discovery Center

Event Horizon

OSU Agriculture Tailgate

Mark your calendars and join us for an Agriculture Tailgate on Oct. 11, held on the Monroe Courtyard in front of Agricultural Hall. The tailgate will start at 9 a.m. before the OSU Cowboys take on the Houston Cougars.

In addition to the OSU Agriculture Tailgate, the Aggie-X Club will host the annual Department of Agricultural Economics Tailgate. Join fellow alumni and Aggie X students for a cornhole tournament, food and reconnecting with friends. The Aggie-X officers are excited to visit with and serve you.

RSVP to OSU Agriculture Tailgate

Voices from the Field

Ashleigh Faris talks about how to protect your crop against armyworms.

“SUNUP” - Fall Armyworm Alert 🚨 Protect Your Wheat Before It’s Too Late

Fall armyworms can cause serious yield losses in wheat if not caught early. Ashleigh Faris, OSU Extension entomologist and Integrated Pest Management coordinator, explains how to scout wheat fields, the best timing for treatment and practical strategies to protect your crop.

Sow and Grow

“Oklahoma Gardening” - Marcum’s Nursery

Casey Hentges, host of “Oklahoma Gardening,” visits Marcum’s Nursery to browse their vast selection of plant products and help celebrate their golden anniversary.

Photo Spotlight

A small green caterpillar explores a leaf.

Field Day

A green caterpillar explores the edge of a leaf during the Peanut and Cotton Field Day held in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, earlier this month.

News & Events

Renee Nelson teaches participants how to prepare and bake sourdough.

FAPC Fall Trainings

Whether baking bread in a home kitchen or managing a commercial food plant, the OSU Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center is offering fall workshops to help Oklahoma food businesses grow, innovate and succeed.

Rural Economic Outlook

The OSU Department of Agricultural Economics sets the agenda for the 2025 Rural Economics Outlook Conference. The annual event will be held Oct. 8 in Stillwater at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center.

Fall Armyworms

Fall armyworms are on the rise in Oklahoma and attack more than 300 plant species from 76 plant families. Paired with its ability for far migrations and plentiful reproduction, there is potential for serious economic damage.

Bulb Planting Season

While the vibrancy of a summer garden slips quietly away, gardeners can prepare for next spring’s vivid colors in the landscape by planting spring-flowering bulbs now through early November.

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