While straddling the back of her horse named Jeepster, MSU alumna Rebecca Sauber and her teammate chased cows from one pen to another in a competition at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Farm Lane.
Sorting, as the activity is called, is a contest involving two horseback riders and requires the pair to work together to lead certain cattle into a specific pen.
The contest was one of the many events held under the umbrella of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Agriculture and Natural Resources Week.
This year marked the 100th annual ANR Week, a time dedicated to educating and bringing together those who are involved in today’s world of agriculture and natural resources.
And it only makes sense that a week that brought more than 50 conferences, programs, events and leaders in the agriculture industry was held at an establishment that finds its very roots in the field.
Directly following this year’s ANR Week is National Agriculture Day, which is today, March 18. The day provides recognition of agriculture across the country and celebrates its contributions.
Although the face of agriculture and the current trends continue to evolve and change, ANR Week and MSU continue to talk about the issues that matter.
MSU Extension Interim Director Ray Hammerschmidt said although ANR Week has changed to meet the needs of people involved in the industry, its importance has not gone to the wayside.
“Agriculture continues to be relevant,” Hammerschmidt said.
The beginning
Where many of the buildings of today’s campus stand, there were once fields and farms — important pieces to MSU at its birth.
The Michigan Constitution of 1850 called for an “agricultural school” to be established and five years later, MSU was born.
On Feb. 12, 1855, former Michigan Gov. Kinsley S. Bingham signed a bill which established MSU, known at that time as Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the country’s first agricultural college.
Since its establishment, MSU has seen many name changes, each incorporating the emphasis on agriculture.
It’s been State Agricultural College, Michigan Agricultural College, Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science and Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. The institution finally became Michigan State University in 1964.
Areas of study emphasized in the beginning included agriculture, engineering and military science.
Evidence of this being a trend that has survived rings true with current enrollment statistics — the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the fourth largest college behind the College of Engineering.
Kelly Millenbah, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said one of MSU’s strengths continues to be the respective college.
“A lot of the work that we do is informed and works with science, technology, (the) environment and mathematics,” Millenbah said.
Midway through the semester, students leave campus for spring break, but it is far from being deserted.
Farmers, animal lovers and all kinds of people in the industries of agriculture, horticulture and natural resources visit MSU for a week of conferences, shows and overall education in their related fields during ANR Week.
ANR Week first debuted in 1914 but was held previously under the name Farmers Week.
Hammerschmidt said the week is able to show diversity through the various topics discussed, which have also evolved over the course of ANR Week’s history.
“There is probably something for just about everybody,” Hammerschmidt said.
Not just farms and crops
Oftentimes, farms and tractors are most associated with agriculture.
But ANR Week proves this stereotype is not the case.
“Farming is a critical part of what agriculture is about. It’s a piece of the puzzle,”Millenbah said.
Some events held during the week may not have come off as important to the agriculture and natural resources community, but their roots tie them to the industry.
At the Demmer Shooting Sports, Education and Training Center on Jolly Road, people had the opportunity to try their hand at archery, shooting air rifles and air pistols.
Demmer Center employee and criminal justice graduate student Matt Heffelfinger said archery and air rifles, or pistols, can be correlated to agriculture in the hunting aspect.
“Archery is a good introduction to the outdoors and to hunting in particular,” Heffelfinger said. “It’s a good way to get into hunting, particularly (in Michigan). Archery season starts well before gun season does.”
In addition to education on activities related to agriculture, ANR Week showcased conventions and shows centered around animals and their importance in the world of agriculture and natural resources.
For example, the annual Rabbit and Cavy Convention and the Michigan Horse Council’s annual Stallion Exhibition and Trade Show were elements of the week.
The three-day Stallion Exhibition and Trade Show hosted many different events all related to horses, from clinics to seminars such as massaging a horse and finding the perfect saddle.
Among the clinics and seminars were a rodeo for high school students and the sorting contest.
Sauber said she has been competing in sorting events for about six years and enjoys the adrenaline rush she gets when competing and being able to ride her horse, which she calls her best friend.
She graduated in 2008 with a certification in horse management, a program within the Institute of Agricultural Technology at MSU, and said it has helped her in post-graduation life.
“It’s helped a lot, mainly for the care of my horse,” Sauber said. “Learning how to manage cattle and your horses, and taking care of them.”
Evolution of trends
The appreciation for agriculture and natural resources stays the same, but the topics of interest discussed during ANR Week have changed over its course of history.
Previous topics of discussion included methods of food preservations and home economics, but this year food safety, an annual wildflower conference, and a quiet water symposium, among others, were held throughout the week.
The needs of stakeholders and others involved in agriculture have evolved the week.
“It’s important to the citizens of Michigan so they have an opportunity to learn about new trends and research that enables them to stay current,” Hammerschmidt said.
Being surrounded by the Great Lakes, water continues to be an important resource to Michigan.
The annual Quiet Water Symposium brought many exhibitors with canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized equipment to display.
The symposium provided information on conserving the lakes and waterways in addition to showcasing outdoor water-related sports.
Gina Johnson, a member of nonprofit organization Qajaq USA, which is the American chapter of the Greenland Kayak Association, said the goal of their setup was to educate people on quiet water activities.
“Quiet water originally was about woodworking and making boats and then it spread out. ... It’s the boating community getting together,” Johnson said.
In addition to the symposium, the 25th annual Great Lakes Conference was held during ANR Week.
It highlighted research and other efforts being taken to promote improvement of the Great Lakes, including discussions on the recovery of the Detroit River and habitats that may be at risk.
“In Michigan, and being surrounded by most of the Great Lakes, it’s important to have a good understanding of the water resources and be good stewards of the environment,” Hammerschmidt said.
Hammerschmidt said there are many parts Michigan that are impacted by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“You can’t go anywhere in the state where the college doesn’t touch some part of it,” Hammerschmidt said.
