March 24, 2008

1. GSD to Present Faculty Awards, Tuesday

2. Pat Fenn Tree Dedicated on St. Patrick's Day

3. Ozark Food Processors Association Convention, March 25-26

4. Horse Festival, March 28-29

5. Field Days at Batesville and Monticello, April 15 & 24

6. Food Science Seminar, Monday

7. Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Seminar, Monday

8. Water Resources Research Conference, April 22-23
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1. GSD to Present Faculty Awards, Tuesday

The campus community is invited to a Gamma Sigma Delta awards and initiation ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in the Hembree Auditorium of the AFLS Building. The afternoon ceremony replaces the evening banquet that the chapter has sponsored in recent years. The awards are presented to GSD faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to their respective fields of teaching, research or extension programs in the previous five years. The winners for 2008 are:

Teaching Award -- Kristofor Brye, associate professor of crop, soil, and environmental sciences (applied soil physics);

Research Award -- James McD. (Mac) Stewart, University professor of crop, soil, and environmental sciences (biotechnology/cotton); and

Extension Award - Michael French, associate director-programs, Cooperative Extension Service.

Chapter Vice President Bruce Dixon is planning the event with assistance from the chapter officers and membership.
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2. Pat Fenn Tree Dedicated on St. Patrick's Day

Pat Fenn memorial tree planting at Plant Sciences Building.

Friends, colleagues and students attended the March 17 memorial tree dedication in honor of the late Pat Fenn, professor of plant pathology. A red oak tree was planted on the east side of the Plant Sciences Building with the help of donations to his memory. Fenn had conducted extensive forest pathology research with oaks. At the base of the tree was a plaque inscribed with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." John Clark, a fellow research associate, spoke at the ceremony. Clark collaborated often with Fenn on fruit tree diseases.

Pam Miller, who was Fenn's research technician for 13 years, helped coordinate the memorial and dedication ceremony.

"The plaque, inscription, and the beauty of the tree are the best tribute I could have hoped for," Mary Fenn said. The family held a private viewing on Saturday, March 15. Fenn died January 28, 2007, at age 59. He is survived by his wife, Mary; a son, David Fenn of Farmington; and a daughter, Elizabeth Fenn of Nevada.
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3. Ozark Food Processors Association Convention, March 25-26

The 102nd annual Ozark Food Processors Association Convention will be held March 25-26 at the Holiday Inn in Springdale. A reception, industry dinner and entertainment by Trout Fishing in America opens the convention at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. Milo Shult, vice president for agriculture at the University of Arkansas, will present opening remarks at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, followed by a day of educational sessions.
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4. Horse Festival, March 28-29

The annual University of Arkansas Horse Festival is scheduled for March 28 & 29. Friday's events include demonstrations by Austin Anderson of the Texas Trick Riders, a one hour cutting horse demonstration by professional clinician Darrel Wiese of Oklahoma, and a demonstration by competitor Frank DePriest. Friday evening clinics start at 7 pm.

On Saturday the festival will be open 9 a,m, to 7 p.m. An armband will get you in the gate and will give you access to the outdoor arena exhibitions, pavilion demonstrations, 'Meet the Breeds', vendor booths, concessions and other outdoor fun. Two shows will be held in the indoor arena at 1:00 and 4:30, tickets will be available at arena the door.

The One Arm Bandit Gang will return with buffalo this year, which he will be herding onto the top of his trailer. Austin Anderson and the Texas Trick Riders will perform in both shows as well. In addition to our headlining acts, you can see mounted drill teams, mounted shooting, reining and barrel racing demonstrations, jousting and medieval games, draft horses and carriages, miniature horses and a trained zebra, dancing horses, a unicorn, traditional costumes, clinicians, a stage coach and more. For more information, schedule and prices see www.horsefestival.org.
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5. Field Days at Batesville and Monticello, April 15 & 24

A Division of Agriculture field day on forage crops in the morning and forestry in the afternoon is set for April 15 at the Livestock and Forestry Branch Station near Batesville. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the field day will adjourn at 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Details at http://batesvillestation.org/.

Beef and forage research will be featured in an April 24 field day at the Southeast Research and Extension Center at Monticello.
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6. Food Science Seminar, Monday

Robin C. Anderson of the Food USDA-ARS South Plains Agricultural Research Center at Texas A&M University will present a seminar titled "Disruptive Campylobacter's Niche in the Gut; Targeting Amino Acid Catabolism" at 3:40 p.m. Monday, March 24, in Room D-2 of the FDSC building. Refreshments will be served.
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7. Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Seminar, Monday

The Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences seminar at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, in PTSC 009, will be presented by Carlos Avila on "Characterization and Introgression of Reniform Nematode Resistance from Diploid Cottons to Upland Cotton."
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8. Water Resources Research Conference, April 22-23

The Arkansas Water Resources Center Annual Research Conference will be April 22 and 23, featuring sessions on nutrient loads and water quality in Arkansas streams, aquatic conservation through the State Wildlife Grants Program, and research presentations by new water science faculty. The registration form and agenda can be downloaded at www.uark.edu/depts/awrc.
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