University of Wisconsin-River Falls Hosts 13th Annual Ag Day

By Blake Jackson

The University of Wisconsin-River Fall's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is deeply rooted in agriculture. As the industry evolves, the annual Ag Day on Campus aims to celebrate both achievements and a lasting passion for agriculture.

Hosted by the UWRF Collegiate Farm Bureau (CFB), the 13th annual event is scheduled for Thursday, April 10th, kicking off with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. in front of the University Center at 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls.

This year's theme, "Raising the Bar in Agriculture," celebrates the university community's accomplishments and its commitment to remaining industry leaders. "It’s our biggest event of the year and so many students look forward to it. We are happy to host it," said CFB President Lashawna Vogel.

Ag Day will feature speakers, games, panels, and activities, with over 25 student organization booths and industry professionals participating.

Highlights include a 9:55 a.m. milk chugging contest by the Dairy Club, the Ag Royalty Panel from 12:15-1 p.m., and a 1-2 p.m. roping competition hosted by the Rodeo Club.

The day concludes at 6 p.m. with a screening of "A World Without Cows" in Ag Science 200, followed by a free dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Ag Day on Campus has partnered with Freddy’s Dairy Bar and will offer campus-produced food. The Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence allows students to gain hands-on experience producing dairy products from campus cows.

Cheese curds and ice cream, marketed as "Falcon Creamery," are sold at Freddy’s Dairy Bar in Ag Sci. Falcon Creamery will have an Ag Day booth, offering samples of their special "Falcon Tracks" ice cream flavor. Additional dairy products will be available for purchase at Freddy’s Dairy Bar from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ag Day on Campus chairs Brooke Beardsley, Katie Thome, and JoHannah Gehrke emphasized the strength of the agriculture industry in choosing the theme.

"We wanted to demonstrate not only how important agriculture is both on and off-campus, but also how strong and powerful this industry can be," they said. "From the many on-campus organizations that help put this event on, to the dedicated agriculturalists that join us throughout the day as speakers and attendees, this theme told a story and that story was Ag Day."

For inquiries about Ag Day on Campus, contact katie.cink@my.uwrf.edu.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-nes