Cargill Outdoor Classroom Update

By Dan Witten, Cargill Outdoor Classroom Coordinator

The Cargill Outdoor Classroom was a hub of activity throughout the spring semester and summer months.  We hosted multiple primary school groups for tours in April and May.  July saw a group of secondary agricultural educators participate in a workshop.  People who walk by the space will see a variety of vegetable crops growing including; cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, watermelon and sweet corn.  While most of these vegetables will be served to our students in the cafeteria, some will be donated to local food pantries.  We also have multiple agronomic crops growing including; Buckwheat, dent corn, soybeans and teff grass.  These agronomic crops will be used for class related activities including; crop staging, tissue tests and stand counts.  We worked with Jensen Sprinkler to improve the sprinkler system and have the use of a 4000 series John Deere tractor for mowing, spraying and tillage.  Jakob, our intern, noted “I enjoyed being able to make management decisions and then follow through with them from planting until harvest.  I think it was a great experience.  It was great to contribute to the Morningside Farm to Table Experience by supplying the cafeteria with fresh produce.  It gave me a chance to deal with all the aspects involved in food production”.

We will be highlighting the various activities that are occurring within the classroom on October 21st when we host “Pancakes with the President” at the Morningside Family Weekend. This will give the Morningside and local community an opportunity to see  firsthand all the projects that are being conducted on the property.  Members of the AAFS faculty will be onhand to answer questions as well.

Ag Club

By Dylan Hosek, Ag Club President

As president of the Ag Club, I am super excited for the year.  We kicked the year off in early September by participating in the campus-wide activities fair.  This allowed us to interact with students from across campus.  We handed out prizes to students who correctly answered trivia questions.  We then hosted a joint meeting with the Garden Club.  Attendees got a chance to eat, learn about what both clubs do in the community, and participate in a sweet corn-eating contest.  

 As September wraps up we are deep into planning our annual “Feed the Farmer” event which will entail working with area businesses and numerous local FFA chapters to make and distribute over 1,100 cold meals during the harvest season.  This activity is well received and we look forward to interacting with everyone.  We appreciate the financial support we receive from businesses such as Iowa Corn, Farm Credit Services, and Fareway.  If your business would like to work with us on this project please reach out and let us know.

It was a brisk first day of spring to complete this National Ag Week project-- painting the Spoonholder! 

This is a longtime student tradition at Morningside University, dating back to 1908, painting the 5 ton granite focal point in front of Lewis Hall! "Agricultural Awareness: The 1% Feeding the 100%" 

Students pictured: Dylan Hosek, Bethany Widman and Liz Zobel

Notes from Returning Agronomy Adjunct

By Nick Schoenfelder

As we start a new semester it is exciting and unknown all at the same time.  I am really excited to share my knowledge of agriculture and especially Crop Production with my students.  After spending over 20 years in the Agricultural Industry in sales, stepping back into a college classroom on the other side of the desk was not something that I anticipated within my career.  The learning curve was steep and rewarding all at the same time.  Not only did I have to relearn the course content, but developed a way to explain the content to my students.  Week by week during the fall semester the teaching process allows us to build on experiences that make more sense for the students.  I was able to show real life examples in field situations to aid in understanding of the course material.  The part of teaching at Morningside University that I didn't anticipate was the conversations with students and the relationships that are developed from the time spent together.  The agriculture students within the department are like sponges.  They are looking for information and real world experience to help them evaluate life choices.  Our approach to Applied helps the students see how these concepts will be utilized in real life experiences in the future.  I believe my 20 years of real life Agricultural experience provides a level of practical application in the classroom that many universities throughout the country can't duplicate.  

I am honored to be a part of this unique learning experience.  The Morningside Ag program has great potential to provide students with an agronomic background that will last with them for years to come.  I am honored to participate in this experience serving the students that are coming to learn.        

The Garden Club Blossoms with U-Pick Flower Initiative

By Deanne McKenna, Garden Coordinator

The Morningside Garden is now abloom with vibrant colors and the sweet scent of fresh flowers, thanks to a student-initiated U-Pick Flower Garden that has captured the hearts of students and faculty. This innovative project not only brightens dorm rooms but also fosters a sense of community and appreciation for the Morningside Garden. 

The U-Pick Flower Garden has become a favorite spot for students seeking to add a touch of beauty to their daily lives. The concept is simple yet brilliant: students and faculty can visit the garden during u-pick hours, pick their favorite flowers, and take them back to their dorm rooms and offices, free of charge. This experience not only adds a pop of color to the dormitories but also brings the beauty of nature closer to student's daily routines.

The U-Pick Flower Garden has not only added charm to Morningside but also serves as a testament to the positive impact that a simple idea can have on campus. As the seasons change, the garden continues to flourish, reminding everyone of the importance of appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.

Internship/ Externship Experience with Morningside Ag

By Melissa Nelson

The Externship program continues to be a highlight for the AAFS program. We build everything we do in our curriculum around this experience. I talk with employers in the agriculture industry often and they love our Externship program. They love that the Externship takes what our students learn in the classroom to another level. Those employers understand better than anybody that students can only learn so much in the classroom and many of the skills they need for whatever job they take are best taught on the job. 

Students are also a big fan of the Externship. They’re able to get their hands dirty and really jump into the industry head first. Their employers give them projects that require them to think outside the box and get out of their comfort zones. This is when the real learning has begun and they’ll take these newly-honed skills with them throughout the rest of their career journey.

We had nine Externs in 2022 and many of them received full-time job offers from their Externship employers. Five of the nine continued to work for their Externship employer in some capacity after their experience ended. The remaining students found employment elsewhere in the agricultural industry.

We currently have seven students out on their Externship experience this fall semester. The fall Externs are placed at sites around the greater United States including Landmand Golf Club in Homer, Nebraska (two students); Mud Ridge Ranch in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Cargill in Sioux City, Iowa; Udell Cattle Company in Merrill, Iowa, Ohlde Cattle Company in Palmer, Kansas; and Early Morning Harvest in Panora, Iowa. These students aren’t taking any courses this semester and are instead working full-time. The knowledge they’re gaining through this experience is invaluable and will truly set them apart when it comes time for them to find a job after graduation. They’re a step ahead of their competition because of this Externship experience.  Pictured below are a couple of student externs enjoying their summer placement jobs. 

Morningside University Ag Ambassadors

The Morningside Ag Ambassadors are a select group of young men and women dedicated to enhancing the image of agriculture, the Applied Agricultural and Food Studies Department and Morningside University. The student volunteers represent the Applied Ag and Food Studies program in a variety of ways. They:

Lead campus tours for parents, visitors and prospective students.

Give presentations about the AAFS Department to high school students and others.

Represent the AAFS Department at fairs and conferences.

And host alumni and dignitaries at department and college events.

Melissa Nelson oversees the Ag Ambassadors and they are a major help to her with program recruitment and outreach projects throughout the calendar year. The Ambassadors will be planning a Senior Visit Day event for students interested in studying agriculture at Morningside on November 5th. Reach out to Melissa at nelsonme@morningside.edu if you would like more information on this upcoming event.

This year’s Ambassadors are: Sophomore Dylan Hosek of Traer, Iowa; Sophomore Thomas Moss of North Platte, Nebraska; Junior Elizabeth Zobel of Battle Creek, Iowa; and Willy Pinnow of Elkhorn, Wisconsin.