CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston
will host the 43rd annual Ag Arama on Friday and Saturday, January 26-27, 2018.
This year’s Ag Arama is dedicated to Assistant Professor Paul Aakre who has
taught agriculture on campus for more than 40 years. This year’s theme for the
weekend is “Never Going Outta Style.”
Most of the Ag Arama activities take place on Saturday,
January 27, in the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) located on
the north edge of the campus. Everyone is invited to attend and no parking
permits are required.
Contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture,
agricultural business, 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 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, goat, 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.
From 9 a.m. to noon, an agricultural industries show
features some of the latest in agricultural equipment. At 1:30 p.m., the Round
Robin Showmanship will begin followed by alumni showmanship at 2 p.m.
Coronation of the Ag Arama royalty takes place at 2:30 p.m. followed by the
presentation of specialty awards and the sweepstakes presentation.
An alumni social will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the
I.C. Muggs, 1500 University Avenue, followed by the Ag Arama Dance from 9 p.m.
to 1 a.m. with Silverado at the Crookston Eagles, 105 South Broadway. Admission
is $10.
