Annual Colorado State University Ag Day Barbecue Kicks Off Home Football Season, Raises Money for College of Agricultural Sciences Scholarships
Colorado State University celebrates its agricultural heritage when it hosts the 28th annual Ag Day barbecue Sat., Sept. 12. Ag Day is a pre-game feast that includes a wide selection of Colorado-grown fare such as lamb, beef, pork, beans, potatoes, fruits, flowers and wheat bread. Pepsi products and Coors beer will help participants wash down their meal.
All proceeds from Ag Day ticket sales will fund scholarships for Colorado State students. In all, 15 Ag Day scholarships for $2,000 each have been awarded to College of Agricultural Sciences students for the 2009-2010 school year, an increase from the 12 scholarships provided to students during the 2008-2009 school year.
“As a first generation college student, I have witnessed both of my parents work very hard to get where they are now without the assistance of a college degree. However, they have provided me with a very bright future by helping to put me through CSU,” said scholarship recipient Jerome Lamb, a junior majoring in Landscape Horticulture.
“I want to be an ambassador for agriculture and I want to make a difference by helping to make agriculture stronger,” said scholarship winner Kimberly Rossi, a freshman pursuing a double major in animal sciences and agricultural business. “The generosity of the scholarship that has been awarded to me is not only a thread in the continuation of my education, but will also help me continue to follow my dreams and pursue an agriculturally-based career.”
Ag Day honors the university’s rich agricultural tradition as well as the importance of the agriculture industry in the state. Agriculture is the second-largest industry in Colorado, providing more than 86,000 jobs and bringing in more than $12 billion to the state’s economy. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, a CSU graduate, has proclaimed Sept. 12 as “CSU Ag Day”.
The barbecue will be served from 11:30 a.m-2 p.m. in the south parking lot at Hughes Stadium on Overland Trail between Drake and Prospect roads. At 3 p.m., the Colorado State Rams will take on the Weber State Wildcats in the home football opener at Sonny Lubick Field.
Ag Day festivities include live music from Kenny Cordova and the Olde Rock Band, plus agricultural displays and activities. A drawing from Ag Day ticket holders will take place for two round-trip airline tickets on Frontier Airlines courtesy of the National Western Stock Show.
A limited number of barbecue tickets are available and can be ordered online, by mail or in-person. Pre-purchased tickets are less than $20. Information is available at www.csuagday.com or (970) 491-6497; however no orders will be taken at this number. Tickets for the barbecue on the day of the event are $20. There are also a limited number of combination barbecue and football tickets available.
The event is hosted by Colorado commodity groups, agricultural organizations and associations, Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Colorado State’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
For more information, visit www.csuagday.com or call (970) 491-6497.
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