College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences News
USU Professors Advise State Government on Water Policy
August 6, 2017
Lynnette Harris
A strategy for developing Utah water policy―that began with a task force appointed by Governor Gary Herbert in 2013 and grew to a group of more than 40 people with a wide array of expertise―was delivered to the governor Wednesday in hopes of guiding policy development to manage the state’s water until 2060.
USU NUTRITION STUDENTS VISIT GREECE, LEARN HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PRACTICES
August 3, 2017
Shelby Ruud
The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world, and a group of Utah State University dietetics students recently visited the Greek island of Crete to learn the more about this healthy way of living.
Researchers Successfully Predicts Multi-Year U.S. Drought and Fire Conditions
July 31, 2017
Lynnette Harris
The next mega-droughts and subsequent active wildfire seasons for the western U.S. might be predictable a full year in advance. The new model, developed by an international team of scientists from the U.S., South Korea and U.K., and led by Utah State University climate scientist Yoshimitsu Chikamoto, was reported in the July 26 edition of Scientific Reports.
USU Agricultural Communication Club Honored At Ag Media Summit
July 27, 2017
Aubree Thomas
Members of Utah State University’s Agricultural Communication Club recently attended the 2017 Ag Media Summit and the club was recognized by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow as the Chapter of the Year in Educational Activities for the second year in a row.
USU CAAS Introduces Unique Degree in Partnership with BTC
July 26, 2017
Shelby Ruud
USU’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences partnered with Bridgerland Technical College and all the technical colleges in the state to develop this unique “stackable” degree designed for nontraditional students.
Fully Articulated Horse Skeleton is New Teaching Tool
July 5, 2017
Aubree Thomas
A fully articulated horse skeleton is on display in the Veterinary Science and Biology Building at Utah State University, the product of more than a year of work by Briedi Gillespie, a professional practice associate professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine, and a number of students.
Pet Safety for Fireworks Season
June 27, 2017
Aubree Thomas
With fireworks going off in Utah throughout the month of July, pets are bound to get stressed and anxious. Karl Hoopes and Allison Willoughby, faculty in the Utah State University School of Veterinary Medicine, shared tips to help owners keep their pets safe and make the summer more enjoyable for everyone.
Aviation Maintenance Program Partners with Delta Airlines
June 20, 2017
Aubree Thomas
The aviation maintenance program at Utah State University has been selected for a partnership with Delta Airlines. The partnership will provide students with more training to become an aircraft maintenance technician as well as increased job placement within the aviation industry.
Pets and Travel: What to Know Before You Go
June 2, 2017
Aubree Thomas
Summer is here and people are getting ready to hit the road on much-needed vacations. Pets are often considered to be part of the family, so it’s no surprise many people want to bring their furry friend with them during their travels. Faculty in Utah State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, have some advice for pet owners when it comes to traveling with their animals during the summer.
Aviation Students Successful at Aerospace Maintenance Competition
May 23, 2017
Aubree Thomas
Five students from Utah State University’s Aviation Maintenance Management program took third place in the school division at the International Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Orlando, Florida.
USU LAEP Students Receive Dean's Prize for Redesign Project
May 17, 2017
Shelby Ruud
Two teams of students in Utah State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning were honored at spring semester’s end with the Third Annual Dean’s Prize for their projects that reimagined a prominent area of the USU campus.
USU Students Succeed at Soils Judging Competition
May 17, 2017
Shelby Ruud
Five students from Utah State University recently used their soil science skills to take third place in the group division of the National Collegiate Soils Contest. Zach Voigtman, Sandra Udy, Boston Swan, Britney Allen and Thomas Greene travelled to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois to compete and took third place against 24 other teams.
New Degrees in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
April 28, 2017
Aubree Thomas
Several new majors and minors are now available to students in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The new degrees – ranging from associates to graduate degrees – offer a variety of new opportunities to students and will prepare them to be more marketable in their chosen fields. In addition, some programs have been renamed to more accurately describe the careers students are preparing to pursue.
CAAS Professors Honored at 2017 Robins Awards Ceremony
April 20, 2017
Aubree Thomas
Professor Silvana Martini and Associate Professor Rebecca Lawver in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences were recognized for their hard work and dedication at the 2017 Robins Awards ceremony. Lawver received the Faculty University Service Award while Martini was honored as the Faculty Researcher of the Year.
USU Students Reach Out to Retirement Community
April 7, 2017
Shelby Ruud
Twelve Utah State University dietetic students created and implemented a health and wellness program at a Logan retirement center as a part of their capstone projects. Twice a month during spring semester the students visited their “grandfriends” at the Williamsburg Retirement Community and taught topics relating to self-care and longevity. The students were led by Tamara Steinitz, a professional practice professor in the Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences Department.
Patagonia College Tour Visits USU, Repairing Apparel and Gear
April 6, 2017
Lynnette Harris
Utah State University’s newly created Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program will host the Patagonia Worn Wear Tour on the Quad at the Logan campus, repairing apparel and gear, Wednesday, April 12. In addition, mountaineer and Patagonia Vice President, Rick Ridgeway, will speak about “What to Do, How to Live: Personal Activism for a Threatened Planet” at 3:30 p.m.
CAAS Student Competes at 70th Annual Society for Range Management Conference
March 6, 2017
Ben Fordham
Katelyn Ulhart, an agricultural communication and journalism student at Utah State University, recently won a top honor and participated in several events at the 70th Annual Meeting for the Society of Range Management.
USU Researchers Discover Climate Warming Linked to Air Quality
February 24, 2017
Shelby Ruud
During the winter, cold air is at the base near the earth with warm air above it. As climate warming increases the temperature of the top layer, the cooler layer inhibits the warm air from releasing the pollutants through mixing. This causes inversion, meaning more aerosols are trapped in the cold air near the grounds.
Students Recognized for Academic Achievement
February 19, 2017
Shelby Ruud
Students from Utah State University’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences were recently honored with the “A” pin, one of USU’s oldest and most prestigious awards for scholarship and academics.
USU LAEP Students and Faculty Work to Improve Animal Shelter
February 14, 2017
Lynette Harris
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences’ (CAAS) Assistant Professor, Rebecca Lawver, has previously received recognition for her outstanding teaching, but the pinnacle of her awards came recently from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s National Awards Program for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Student Success Fuels Professor's Award-Winning Teaching
February 7, 2017
Shelby Ruud
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences’ (CAAS) Assistant Professor, Rebecca Lawver, has previously received recognition for her outstanding teaching, but the pinnacle of her awards came recently from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s National Awards Program for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Design Faculty Member Sets Sail
January 24, 2017
Mekenna Malan
Mark Lee Koven, a faculty member in the Outdoor Product Design and Development program, has been chosen as the inaugural artist to participate in the first ARTSail voyage documenting the health of the reefs off the Florida Keys. Koven plans to collect footage for a 360-degree film experience about the challenges within Miami's natural environment.
Governor's Medals for Science and Technology Honor Three at USU
January 10, 2016
Lynette Harris
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences faculty members Debra Spielmaker and John Morrey are among the 2017 recipients of the Governor’s Medal for Excellence in Science and Technology.
Finally, a Game Children Can Play With Their Food
November 2, 2016
Kailcee Harrison
LOGAN – If a new game developed at Utah State University achieves its creators’ goals, parents in some Cache Valley communities may find their children requesting more fruits and vegetables at meal and snack times.
Heidi Wengreen, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, has worked with Professor Gregory Madden in the Department of Psychology to develop a game, known as FIT, that is currently part of a controlled trial at two schools in Cache Valley, Wilson Elementary and Nibley Elementary.
USU Landscape Architecture Students Recieve Achievement Award
November 2, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Students in Utah State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning recently received the American Planning Association – Utah Chapter’s highest honor for creating an open space plan for a rapidly growing part of the Wasatch Front.
Students in the fall 2015 Recreation Design and Open Space Planning Studio, taught by Assistant Professor Ole Sleipness, collaborated with the City of Draper and landscape architecture firm Logan Simpson to generate a conceptual design for approximately 4,000 acres of public open space. The Draper Open Space Master Plan was officially adopted by the city in April.
USU CAAS DEAN’S SEMINAR TO COVER ECONOMICS AND NUTRITION
November 2, 2016
Shelby Ruud
George Davis, professor at Virginia Tech, will speak about how people make choices regarding food for the College of Agriculture and Applied Science’s Dean Seminar on Friday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the Agricultural Sciences Building room 101. The lecture, titled What are You Thinking? Cognitive Load and Neuroeconomics Insights for Improved Nutrition, is open to the public.
National Chung Hsing University Welcomes It's First Aggie
August 23, 2016
Lynnette Harris
Parichart Promchote (Noi) is USU’s first PhD student to visit National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan through its exchange with the Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate. She began work toward a PhD in climate science at USU fall semester 2014, with the support of a Royal Thai Scholarship. She intends to quantify extreme climate events that may impact rice production in Thailand.
Summer Agricultural Research Program Brings Students to USU
August 22, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Nine students from a number of smaller colleges in Utah and surrounding states had the chance to live like Aggies as they spent 10 weeks participating in agricultural biotechnology research alongside faculty mentors at USU. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the SURE program is a chance for students to explore careers in scientific fields and get their foot in the door for future research opportunities, according to program co-director Chris Davies, research associate professor in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences
Ag Media Summit Opens Doors for USU Students
August 8, 2016
Kailcee Harrison
Members of USU’s Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow chapter (ACT) recently traveled to St. Louis, Missouri for the Ag Media Summit (AMS). This unique opportunity to meet industry professionals, attend workshops and connect with other students is part of the USU ACT chapters commitment to helping students develop the connections and skills needed within the Agricultural communications industry.
New Leadership for Utah State's Outdoor Product Design and Development
August 1, 2016
Lynette Harris
Utah State University’s unique, multi-disciplinary Outdoor Products Design and Development bachelor’s degree program has experienced remarkable success in its first year. A newly appointed interim director, Sean E. Michael, will now oversee the growing program that has already attracted over 140 students.
Horses Hone Questar Employees’ Communication Skills
July 1, 2016
Kailcee Harrison
The Utah State University equine science program recently hosted an Equine Experience event for Questar Gas employees to illustrate the effects of non-verbal communication, using contact with horses as teaching tools.
Agricultural Education Professor Receives Teaching Award
July 19, 2016
Kailcee Harrison
The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) recently honored Michael L. Pate with the NACTA Educator Award at the society’s annual conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. The award is presented to those whose efforts represent the very best in agricultural higher education.
USU Landscape Architecture Students Expand Horizons in New York City
June 23, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Fifteen students from Utah State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) learned from prestigious landscape architects and explored notable landmarks on a ten-day educational trip to New York City.
Research at USU Shows Benefits of Community Supported Agriculture
June 21, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have the potential to improve people’s diets while creating economically stable farm operations for local farmers, according to research performed at Utah State University.
Aggie Creamery Churns Up USU-Themed Flavors
Date Goes Here
KailCee Harrison
The Aggie Creamery offers 27 different ice cream flavors at any given time, but the Utah State University themed flavors are always the big stars of the creamery. Aggie fans travel from far and near to get their Aggie Blue Mint or Aggie Bull Tracks fix. Which leads some to ask who came up with the idea for the many USU-themed flavors?
USU LAEP Professor Creates Landscape Digital Library
May 19, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Benjamin George, assistant professor in Utah State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, was recently honored for his creation of a digital landscape architecture library. The tours contain immersive panoramas that showcase the unique beauty of gardens such as the Château de Villandry in France and the Villa Lante in Italy.
Utah State University Salt Lake Campus Graduates 82- Year-Old Student
May 11, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Jerry Poulsen, an 82-year-old student at the Utah State University Salt Lake campus, graduated was among the university’s spring 2016 graduates, having earned a bachelor’s degree in residential landscape design and construction.
Utah State's Caine Dairy Farm Awarded for Being Number One College Dairy Herd in the Nation
May 13, 2016
KailCee Harrison
Recently the Caine Dairy was ranked as the number one college dairy herd in the nation based on herd breed age average score byHolstein World magazine.
New Fueling Station Gives Nutrition Students Hand-On Experience
May 9,2016
Shelby Ruud
The Aggie Fueling Station was created by representatives from the nutrition program and athletics, who had a goal of working together to provide athletes with the food they need to complement the physical demands of training and nutrition and dietetic students with hands-on experience with sports nutrition
USU Aviation Maintenance Team Takes First Place at National Competition
April 21, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Five students from Utah State University’s Aviation Maintenance Management program recently took first place in the School Division of the 2016 Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC).
USU Agribusiness Degrees Will Prepare Students in Mauritius and Beyond
April 20, 2016
Lynnette Harris
Utah State University is partnering with a new higher education institution in Mauritius, making USU’s agribusiness and international agribusiness programs in the Department of Applied Economics the first to offer four-year degrees from an American university in that country.
USU's Institute for Antiviral Research Investigating Zika Virus Treatments
February 25, 2016
Lynnette Harris
Scientists at Utah State University’s Institute for Antiviral Research (IAR) are doing some of the first antiviral treatment trials in the United States aimed at identifying and testing compounds that may be effective in treating or preventing Zika virus infections.
Temple Grandin to Give Lecture at USU on Livestock Handling
March 24, 2016
KailCee Harrison
Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and expert consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She is also an internationally known spokesperson on autism. Grandin’s form of autism, known as Asperger’s, has allowed her to develop specific skills that have led to her success as an animal scientist, researcher, professor, author and spokeswoman for autism.
Emeritus Professor to Join Academy of Fellows
February 3, 2016
KailCee Harrison
Craig Johnson, professor emeritus in Utah State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP), was selected as one of five in his field to be inducted into the academy of fellows by the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA).
USU PROFESSOR ELECTED PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
January 14, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Edward Reeve, a professor in Utah State University's School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education, was recently elected president of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).
Utah Climate Center Honored for 125 Years of Weather Data
December 16, 2015
Lynnette Harris
Scientists at Utah State University have been recording and reporting daily weather observations for 125 years, and the Utah Climate Center was recently recognized by the National Weather Service with an Honored Institution Award for that consistent service and the vast amount of data it has generated.
Agricultural Education Student Chosen as National FFA Officer
November 10, 2015
Shelby Ruud
Sarah Draper of Brigham City, Utah, an agricultural education major at Utah State University, recently was chosen to serve as western region vice president in the National FFA organization.
Agricultural Education Student Chosen as National FFA Officer
November 5, 2015
Lynnette Harris
Climate change worldwide is amplifying extreme weather events and researchers in the Utah Climate Center at Utah State University are using modeling tools to help people in very different parts of the.
Agricultural Educator Receives International Award
November 5, 2016
Shelby Ruud
Rebecca Lawver, assistant professor of agricultural education in Utah State University’s School of Applied Science, Technology and Education, recently received the Educator Award at the North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture Conference.
LAEP House Grand Opening
October 28, 2016
Lynnette Harris
Logan’s Hillcrest neighborhood just northeast of the Utah State University campus has a “new” energy-efficient, accessible, 1940s-vintage addition thanks to donor support and the vision and hard work of administrators, USU Facilities, and faculty and students in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning.
Professor Recognized for Career Achievements
October 28, 2015
Shelby Ruud
Lindsey Shirley, an associate professor in Utah State University’s School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education, recently received the Outstanding Young Professional Award from the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State University.
USU Aviation Advisor Receives National Award
October 26, 2015
Shelby Ruud
Kaylee Roholt, an advisor in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, recently received the 2015 Outstanding New Advisor Award from the National Academic Advising Association. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students and who have served as an advisor for three years or less.
Trip to Germany Provides Fresh Perspective for USU LAEP Students
October 14, 2015
Shelby Ruud
Most students consider summer break a chance to sit back and relax. But during the past summer, ten students in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at Utah State University returned exhausted yet satisfied as they spent over a week bicycling around Germany, learning about German culture, visiting universities there and analyzing public spaces.
Global Water Expert to Discuss Water in a Changing World
October 12, 2015
Angela Oborn
Brian Richter, chief scientist for the water program of The Nature Conservancy and a global leader in water science and conservation, will speak about “Chasing Water in a Rapidly Changing World”
USU's Space Crop Expert Seperates Fact from Fiction on Farming in Space
October 2, 2015
Lynnette Harris
The book and now major movie The Martian makes growing food in space, or more precisely, on Mars key to the hero’s survival. As sci-fi fans head to theaters to see how fictional astronaut Mark Watney figures out how to survive, Bugbee has been busy explaining some of the finer points of the science of growing plants in space to reporters and examining what the story gets right and where it’s more fiction than science.
Tragic Van Crash Remembered 10 Years Later
September 25, 2015
Julene Reese
Saturday, Sept. 26, marks 10 years since the van accident that killed eight Utah State University agriculture students and an instructor who were returning to campus after a field trip.