Colorado State University’s Ag Day Offers Colorado-Grown Feast and Football Sept. 22

Thousands of Colorado State University students, alumni and friends are expected at Ag Day 2012, the 31st annual football-day feast of Colorado-grown food.

Ag Day will run 1:30 – 4 p.m. Sept. 22 on the south side of Hughes Stadium off Overland Trail in Fort Collins. The barbecue is open to the public and precedes the football game pitting the CSU Rams and Utah State Aggies; kickoff is at 5 p.m.

Meal tickets cost $16.50 each and may be purchased in combination with football tickets. Tickets and information are available on the Ag Day website, www.csuagday.com.

Ag Day showcases the bounty of Colorado agriculture while funding scholarships for students in the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences. Twenty students have received $2,000 Ag Day scholarships for 2012-13.

“The College of Agricultural Sciences is pleased to help host Ag Day. It’s a hallmark event at CSU, and draws more than 3,000 people for a delicious game-day meal and a celebration of our state’s rich agricultural heritage,” said Craig Beyrouty, college dean and event co-chair. “Beyond the fun, it’s amazing to consider how many students have benefitted from Ag Day scholarships.”

Colorado’s leading commodity groups partner with the College of Agricultural Sciences to plan the event and provide the Ag Day feast.

The menu includes Colorado beef, pork, lamb, potatoes, beans, wheat and dairy products, green salad, watermelon and drinks.

The Fort Collins rock-n-roll band Better Than Bacon will entertain the crowd.

Other Ag Day highlights:

• Farm-themed activities for kids
• Farm displays
• CSU agricultural student groups. These include the ever-popular Gillette Entomology Club, which will provide hands-on bug activities as part of the club’s 100th anniversary celebration this year.
• A pre-game visit from the CSU Marching Band

Gov. John Hickenlooper recently signed a State of Colorado Proclamation that designates Sept. 22 as CSU Ag Day.

“This ‘green’ event encourages consumers to buy locally,” the Proclamation states in part. “CSU and its partners continue to help ensure a positive future for Colorado’s agricultural industry – an industry that plays a vital role in our state’s economy.”

For more information, visit www.csuagday.com or call (970) 491-6497.

-30-