Media Tip Sheet: Colorado State University at the 2008 National Western Stock Show

Note to Editors: Colorado State University has several researchers engaged in agricultural-related issues available for media interviews. Topics include animal sciences, equine-related areas, agricultural markets, veterinary areas, soil and crop sciences, among others. For more information, contact Nik Olsen at (970) 491-7766 or Nik.Olsen@colostate.edu.

Colorado State University’s participation at this year’s National Western Stock Show will include student-raised cattle, informational booths, 4-H Day, a rodeo on CSU day and other events and opportunities for alumni and friends.

CSU will host a booth on the third floor of the Exposition Hall throughout the duration of the National Western Stock Show. Ag Ambassador and College of Agricultural Sciences students will be available to answer questions regarding student admission, the college and CSU. All NWSS visitors are invited to stop by the booth for stickers and other handouts.

CSU groups of interest at this year’s event will include the following:

– Turfgrass and Horticulture (Jan. 14) Hands-on learning about the various grasses, turf and horticulture grown in Colorado. A turfgrass specialist will be on hand to answer any questions from lawn care to golf course management.

– CSU Enrollment and Access (Jan. 15): CSU Enrollment and Access staff will be available for prospective students and parents to answer questions about admission, tuition, enrollment and more.

– Shortgrass Steppe Long Term Ecological Research (Jan. 18): This research group will display an educational exhibit including slide shows about the shortgrass steppe, animal skulls, snakes-in-a-jar, small mammal specimens and more.

– Alumni Association and CAM the Ram (Jan. 19): Alumni and friends are invited to stop by and have pictures taken with CAM, learn about exciting new developments in the Alumni Association and enjoy other CSU activities.

– Rodeo on CSU Day (11 a.m., Jan. 19): Join thousands of CSU alumni and friends as Colorado State University is featured at the Pro Rodeo on CSU Day. Celebrate Western heritage, a Denver tradition and Ram Pride by purchasing discounted tickets through the Alumni Association at www.csualum.com/nwssticket.

– Animal Sciences Social (3-5 p.m., Centennial Room, 3rd floor of the Exposition Hall, Jan. 19): The Department of Animal Sciences regularly hosts the Animal Sciences Social during CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show. All alumni and friends of the College of Agricultural Sciences are invited to attend and enjoy refreshments and a cash bar. The department also traditionally announces the Livestock Leader of the Year at the event.

– Equine Sciences (Jan. 20): Learn about the largest program in the College of Agricultural Sciences that attracts students from across the country. The Equine Sciences program (a joint program between Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine) prepares students for a career in equine business management, marketing and sales, research, veterinary medicine and more.

– CSU Morgan Library (Jan. 21-25): The Morgan Library at CSU, a leading expert in archiving and preservation, will showcase the Colorado Agriculture Archive Collection. Photos and documents highlight some of the historical collections that document Colorado’s agrarian past. Children may enjoy stickers of historical photos in the archive collection, and memory scrapbooks will introduce them to the idea of archiving through a fun activity at the National Western Stock Show.

– 4-H Day (Jan. 23): National Western Stock Show 4-H Day brings together the entire statewide Colorado State University Extension 4-H program, part of Colorado State University Extension. More than 19,000 school youth participate in these tours annually since 1994, receiving a pre-tour orientation, class time and a post tour briefing.

– Operation Military Kids Mobile Technology Lab public unveiling (4-H booth, Jan. 23): This lab is equipped with 10 laptop computers, two digital cameras, two video recorders, two printers/scanners and the necessary software and materials the labs allow children and youth to send personal messages or create cards and letters to their deployed loved one. It is available across the state to facilitate connections between deployed soldiers and children at home. CSU Extension/4-H will take the mobile lab to locations across the state and include workshops in atmospheric science, GPS and other hands-on technology to engage Colorado’s youth in Colorado’s future.

– Entomology Club (Jan. 26): The Entomology Club from CSU’s Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management will host a creepy-crawly display with live insects, spiders, a cockroach race track and more fun activities.

– Seedstock Merchandising Team (Jan. 12-19): The 10-member team will show six registered bulls at the National Western Stock Show as part of a student project emphasizing learning from, networking with and competing against experts. The team will show against professionals at the NWSS Hereford bull classes on Jan. 17 and the Angus bull classes on Jan. 19. Since September, the students have been feeding, leading, washing and drying their bulls in preparation for the stock show. The process teaches students about the cattle industry and what it takes to manage a professional operation.

The Seedstock Team will have a booth near the entrance of the stockyards section of the NWSS complex to house their bulls and serve as an information point regarding the CSU program and the cattle industry. Students will be present at the booth 6 a.m.-4 p.m. from Jan. 12-19 to answer questions and care for the bulls. For more information on the Seedstock team, contact Nik Olsen at (970) 491-7766 or Nik.Olsen@colostate.edu.

– Ag Adventure (Jan. 12-27): Ag Adventure is a CSU student-run program that introduces all aspects of agriculture to elementary-aged children. At the National Western Stock Show, Ag Adventure will teach school groups and other visitors about livestock production, crop production, animal husbandry, land stewardship and the "farm-to-plate" process through hands-on activities.

– College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (Jan. 12-27): The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will be hosting a booth along with the Equine Sciences Program near the Pony Trails area at the Stock Show. Anatomy specimens will be on display, and veterinary medicine students will be available to answer any questions.

– NWSS Scholarship Recipients (Jan. 9, 16 and 25): The National Western Stock Show is the largest individual scholarship donor to the College of Agricultural Sciences, providing significant financial assistance to 24 students each year. The 2007-2008 scholarship recipients will volunteer at a number of events during the Stock Show including Coors Art Red Carpet Reception (Jan. 8); Citizen of the West Award Dinner (Jan. 16); and Auction of Junior Livestock Champions (Jan. 25).

-30-