In this Issue

  • News from the College of Ag
  • Faculty of the Month
  • Awards, Accomplishments and Highlights
  • Publications and Funding Opportunities

News from the College of Ag

Faculty of the Month

The March faculty member of the month is Mari Eggers of the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences!

Dr. Eggers plays a crucial leadership role in MSU’s environmental health program and engages in extensive community involvement and public education. She was nominated for going above and beyond as an adviser and teacher, believing in her students and caring for student wellbeing and community.

Congratulations, Dr. Eggers!

Awards, Accomplishments and Highlights

  • Congratulations to our students and faculty honored during Founders Day! Honorees at the Founders Day Awards for Student Excellence were:
    • Paula Diaz, microbiology - environmental health (Mentor: Mari Eggers)
    • Chloe Hinson, plant sciences (Mentor: Jennifer Lachowiec)
    • Colton Noyes, plant sciences - crop science (Mentor: Liz Greenfield)
    • James O'Connor, animal science - equine option (Mentor: Andi Shockley)
  • In addition, PSPP department head Mike Giroux received the Vice President for Research's Meritorious Technology/Science Award as part of the Founders Day Faculty Awards. Congratulations to our outstanding awardees!
  • A College of Agriculture delegation represented MSU at the APLU Academic Programs Staff Development Workshop in Tucson last month. The Office of Student Support (Mandi McCarthy-Rogers, Melissa Hill and Mel Wysocki) presented “Creating CAOSS: Where Chaos Meets Opportunity,” an overview of the evolution of their shared advising space and how they integrate campus services to support the COA’s diverse and changing student population. Mel Wysocki also presented “MANRRS For Change: Strengthening Agriculture for the Next Generation,” highlighting how the club has shaped the college experience for Ag international students, contributing to retention efforts with over 300 touchpoints in its short existence.
  • The Department of Animal & Range Sciences is pleased to welcome Haily Griggs as its new student success coordinator! Haily’s office is in ABB 123. Welcome, Haily!
  • In late February, MSU hosted the Gallatin Water Science Symposium in Inspiration Hall. The event brought together more than 120 scientists and water managers to learn about and discuss water resources in the Gallatin Valley. Event feedback was stellar, highlighting it as an outstanding manifestation of the land-grant mission. Many thanks to all attendees and to event organizer Adam Sigler of MSU Extension and the LRES department! Find out more about the GWSS here.
  • An Animal & Range Sciences Research Showcase will take place from 1-4 p.m. Monday, March 10, in ABB 138. The showcase will feature research overviews of three faculty scientists. Students will also be on hand to present their research posters in the ABB first-floor atrium. Presentations will also be streamed via Microsoft Teams here. Faculty members presenting MAES project research seminars are:
    • 1 p.m. - Dr. Lance McNew: "Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Management in Working Landscapes.”
    • 2 p.m. - Dan Atwater, "Monitoring and Modeling Rangeland Responses to Global Change."
    • 3 p.m. - Dr. Sarah McCoski, "Exploring the Role of Environment on Early Embryogenesis and Pregnancy Retention."
  • The COA has a newly updated home for faculty and staff resources! Please visit montana.edu/faculty for information on grants, reporting, best practices and more. The page includes links to hospitality forms, DegreeWorks, Ag IT and other important resources. Check it out here, and please contact Emily Williams with any questions.

The Dan Scott Ranch Management Program has teamed up with local ranch groups to train the next generation of ranch workers with the Montana Ranch Boot Camp, which will kick off this summer. Taught by ranchers, its vision is to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience that equips them with ranch and rural skills before they enter more advanced training. This experience will set them up for success and prepare the future workforce of our rural communities.

Students from multiple programs will learn from ranchers, land stewards, consultants, mechanics and community members. Skills taught will include cattle handling, how to talk to ranchers, first aid, grazing decisions, vehicle maintenance and much more.

“We are taking the first step to bridge the gap between a young and eager, but inexperienced workforce, and the ranching industry that needs to recruit new employees,” said Rachel Frost, DSRMP program lead.

The camp will alternate being hosted by the Winnett ACES and the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, both rancher-led groups that focus on strengthening local communities through land stewardship and economic opportunity. The Boot Camp will serve students in the DSRMP, the MT DNRC Working Lands Internship Program and the Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program. You can help support the program through a sponsorship by contacting the Winnett ACES. (info@winnettaces.org)

Publications and Funding Opportunities

Recent Publications

Funding Opportunities