As posted on the High Plains Journal Web site, May 8, 2008.

Agronomy, soils and environmental sciences students from across the region came to Stillwater, had fun while learning a lot and went away impressed, thanks in large part to Oklahoma State University's Agronomy Club.

Club members hosted the 2008 Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences Northern Regional meeting earlier this month, attended by more than 120 students and advisers representing 10 universities.

SASES is an undergraduate student organization of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. It is composed of chapters located at colleges and universities that provide a curriculum in agronomy, crops, soils and environmental sciences.

"The meeting was a huge success," said David Porter, head of the OSU department of plant and soil sciences, citing the efforts of club members, their faculty advisers, sponsors and department staff in making the regional meeting one to remember.

A highlight of the regional meeting was the opportunity to take one of three tours that exposed participants to agricultural practices in different parts of the state: northwestern Oklahoma around the Enid area, central Oklahoma around the Oklahoma City area and eastern Oklahoma around the Tulsa area.

"Most of the participants were from the Midwest or northern states," said Brad Clayton, who along with fellow OSU Agronomy Club member Matt Braun oversaw much of the meeting's planning process. "For many, this was their first opportunity to experience firsthand the types of crop, range and pasture management needed in places like Oklahoma."

Participants came from the University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Michigan State University, Purdue University, North Dakota State University, Murray State University, Fort Hays State University and OSU.

Regional and national meetings, such as the one hosted by OSU, allow SASES participants to experience the agricultural and natural resource sciences at "a different level," said Amber Brewe, OSU Agronomy Club president.

Students have the opportunity to attend educational sessions, present posters and oral paper presentations about their research, put their knowledge to the test in Quiz Bowl competitions and hone their soon-to-be professional skills through prepared public speaking and extemporaneous speaking activities.

"Presenting research through either an oral or poster presentation is an excellent way to gain experience in a technical field such as agronomy," Brewe said. "One of the most (advantageous aspects) of the meetings is networking. I have been able to meet people in industry and university systems from all across the United States."

Brewe credits her fellow OSU Agronomy Club members with making the regional meeting such a success, especially Clayton, Braun, Cody Massey, Josh Bushong, Billie McKean and Jerry May. She also praised business operators and organization leaders in Stillwater and beyond who supported the meeting.

"Altogether, businesses in town donated more than $420 in items that were given away as door prizes during our evening banquet, and we would not have been able to put on a regional meeting without the support of our other sponsors," she said. "Everyone was more than generous."

Sponsors included department alumnus Don Peters, Oklahoma Agribusiness Association, Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association, Oklahoma Seed Trade Association, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, the High Plains Journal, Golden Harvest, Garst Seed Company, NK Brand Seeds, Bayer Crop Science, the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, the Noble Foundation, Cropquest, Syngenta, Joe Caughlin and Marlowe Thorne, who served as OSU agronomy department head from 1956-1963.

"Having more than 120 students and advisers leave Stillwater completely satisfied and telling us 'job well done' let's me know that we have a club with a good head on its shoulders," Brewe said.

But then, the OSU Agronomy Club has long been recognized throughout the university's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for its ability to get things done in ways that promote student leadership, research accomplishments, community service and advantageous networking opportunities.

"We always have fun no matter what we do," Brewe said. "Just remember, we're the people who grow food for the whole world."

This article appeared on High Plains Journal, www.hpj.com, on May 8, 2008.