38th Annual Ag Arama at UMC

CROOKSTON, Minn. – A campus legacy continues with hosting of the 38th annual Ag Arama at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The weekend of events, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, January 25-26, 2013, is hosted by the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and includes activities for the entire family. The theme for this year’s event is “Where I Come From,” and the event is dedicated in honor of Kent Freberg, a long time faculty member in agriculture.

Most of the Ag Arama activities take place on Saturday, Jan. 26, in the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) located on the north edge of the campus. New this year will be a petting zoo to be held at the same time as the games.

Contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources highlight Ag Arama weekend. They serve as an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills and have a chance to interact with alumni and faculty members. Ag Arama is planned and operated by a committee of students advised by Terrill Bradford and Brenda Miller, who both teach in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.

On Friday evening, the Animal Science Association sponsors a chili feed from 5 to 7 p.m. in UTOC for $5 per person.

On Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., the animal showmanship contests begin and the public is welcome to watch the competition as it unfolds in both novice and experienced categories. Students compete in western and English horse showmanship, lamb lead, and dairy, beef, sheep, and swine showing. The novices are paired with experienced students prior to the contests to prepare for the day. Alumni showmanship will take place at 12:30 p.m.

From 9 a.m. to noon, an agricultural industries show features some of the latest in agricultural equipment. At noon, the Round Robin Showmanship will begin. Coronation of the Ag Arama royalty takes place at 1 p.m. followed by the presentation of specialty awards and the sweepstakes presentation.

Royalty Candidates

Queen candidates are Katie Hagen, a junior agricultural business major from Epping, N.D.; Sam Zuck-Roscoe, a senior animal science major from Jamestown, N.D.; Sara Scott, a senior animal science major from Spiritwood, N.D.; Sarah Morris, a senior animal science major from Ramsey, Minn.; and Victoria Martin, a senior animal science major from Worland, Wyo.

Princess candidates are Amanda Guimont, a freshman, agricultural business major from Anoka, Minn.; Chloe Nelson, a freshman biology major from Little Falls, Minn.; Dacia Eberle, a freshman animal science major from Dazey, N.D.; Molly Justison, a senior Equine Science major from Minneapolis, Minn.; and Olivia Fischer, a sophomore animal science major from Kimball, Minn.

King candidates are Alex Cull, a senior double major in agricultural business and agricultural systems management from Cavalier, N.D.; Ben Wuebkers, a senior animal science major from Freeport, Minn.; Donovan Rupprecht, a junior animal science major from Thief River Falls, Minn.; Dustin Wiese, a senior animal science major from Pequot Lakes, Minn.; and Leonard Will, a senior agricultural systems management major from Thief River Falls, Minn.

Prince candidates are Brady Breitenfeldt, a sophomore animal science major from Frazee, Minn.; Mike Dodes, a sophomore agricultural systems management major from Ada, Minn.; Paul Kartak, a sophomore animal science major from Monticello, Minn.; Sam Haugen, a sophomore agronomy major from Fertile, Minn.; and Dylan Sather, a freshman agricultural business major from Gary, Minn.

Games and activities for the family

Several games and competitions, including men's and women's crosscut saw contests and log splitting, begin at 2:30 p.m. Other games include bean bag toss, three and five legged races, roping game, grain race, egg toss, buffalo rope game, rope jumping, along with the petting zoo.

Alumni social and dance

In the evening, a dinner will be served at the Crookston Eagles Club from 6 to 7 p.m., along with an alumni social from 6 to 8 p.m. also at the Eagles. Cost of the dinner is Swiss steak $9 and walleye $11.

Capping off the weekend will be dancing to "Silverado" from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Eagles. Admission is $8.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 27 bachelor’s degree programs, 18 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 10 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. “Small Campus. Big Degree.” To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.