{"id":11420,"date":"2021-04-13T08:05:01","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T12:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences-new\/?p=11420"},"modified":"2021-04-12T15:46:59","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T19:46:59","slug":"ag-awareness-week-re-sprouts-in-the-brickyard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/news\/ag-awareness-week-re-sprouts-in-the-brickyard\/","title":{"rendered":"Ag Awareness Week Re-Sprouts in the Brickyard"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThere are cows in the Brickyard!\u201d one NC State student\u2019s tweet read recently. And indeed there were cows … and goats, chickens, and even a miniature horse. It was the unexpected but profoundly welcomed return of Ag Awareness Week on NC State\u2019s campus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Spotlighting NC Agriculture<\/b><\/h2>\n

Alpha Zeta<\/a>, NC State\u2019s agricultural honors fraternity, has hosted the week-long celebration of North Carolina agriculture for decades. The week coincides with the Presidentially recognized National Ag Day in late March.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to show people on campus how important agriculture is to NC, how it is important in our everyday lives, and what really goes into producing the food and fiber for our state,\u201d Alpha Zeta brother <\/span>Roshni Panwala<\/span> said. \u201cOne of Alpha Zeta\u2019s missions is to promote service and understanding of the agriculture industry. Ag Awareness Week is one of the best ways we showcase that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"two<\/p>\n

Return of the Ruminants<\/b><\/h2>\n

This year\u2019s Ag Awareness Week was the first NC State event to be held in the venerated Brickyard since COVID quarantine began in 2020. The event was completely canceled last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to do a few things differently this year, but for the freshmen and sophomores on campus who\u2019ve missed so many events in the past year, we really wanted to make this happen,\u201d Roshni said. \u201cI was really happy to see students out there enjoying some part of what NC State has to offer. Even if you\u2019re not in CALS [College of Agriculture and Life Sciences] it\u2019s a tradition that everyone enjoys. And the reactions were great – people couldn\u2019t believe it was happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In past years, the week included a variety of agricultural animals and row crops hosted in the brickyard for the full week. AZ brothers historically took turns camping out on campus with the animals to ensure good care. This year they had to move animals in and out daily, requiring bleary 4:30 a.m. mornings to meet trailers and unload animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"a<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching Across Colleges<\/b><\/h2>\n

The event was slow to get noticed because only a fraction of students is on campus this semester. But Roshni noted that word seemed to get out by noon each day that a new animal was on campus. \u201cTraffic definitely picked up in the afternoon as word spread about what was in the Brickyard, and social media inertia took over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bob Patterson is an AZ alumnus and outreach superfan, \u201cAlpha Zeta’s truly splendid AAW initiative has really gotten the attention of all students who frequent the Brickyard during this very special week. This AZ “eye-opener” always helps our students in colleges other than CALS gain a much fuller appreciation for the role CALS plays in meeting all our food, feed, fiber, and specialty crop needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"group<\/p>\n

The Department of Crop and Soil Science’s David Crouse is Alpha Zeta’s organizational advisor. “Alpha Zeta involves the very best students pursuing a four-year degree related to agriculture. Whether a student is from a rural community or urban environment, whether they are in a plant science major, one focused on animals, or working to become the next great high school ag teacher, it doesn’t matter. All of the brothers are equally passionate about agriculture and maintaining North Carolina’s rank near the top of the leaderboard.”<\/p>\n

Giving Pack<\/b><\/h2>\n

Other activities for Ag Awareness Week included a livestream forum on NC hemp production that was hosted by an expert panel of NC State faculty. AZ traded their usual Ag Olympics fundraiser for an online silent auction which boasted unique items like NC State cornhole boards and handmade custom pawprint mugs donated by the NC Corn Growers Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe raised over $1,600 through the auction which will be donated to the campus <\/span>Feed the Pack<\/span><\/a> food pantry. We are so thankful to all of our donors and buyers who made this possible. It was so much fun to watch the bidding get competitive in the last few days!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The week concluded with the annual AZ alumni dinner for current and former AZ brothers. For social distancing purposes, the meal was held outdoors at the new Fike Crop Garden location off Lake Wheeler Road. \u201cWe were so thankful to Dr. Amy Johnson for helping us get that setup. We weren\u2019t sure if we would be able to host the dinner at all.\u201d The event itself was tentative until about a month beforehand when all the permits and approvals lined up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving the opportunity to introduce our younger AZ members to what Ag Awareness Week is all about was a true honor and privilege for me,\u201d Roshni reflected. \u201cThis is such an important visibility event for both our college and NC agriculture. It\u2019s tradition! And hopefully, next year will be even bigger and better!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Can You See Yourself in Crop and Soil Sciences?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you are looking for an academic path that leads to impact, consider Crop and Soil Sciences. Our students learn from expert professors and enjoy hands-on adventures every day.\u00a0 Discover more about <\/span>student degree pathways<\/span><\/a> including deep dives into our <\/span>soil science<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>turfgrass<\/span><\/a> programs. Then sign up for an undergraduate’s<\/span> guided email tour<\/span><\/a> of our Crop & Soil Sciences Department.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Connecting students with growing careers is just part of how we are growing the future.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\u201cThere are cows in the Brickyard!\u201d one NC State student\u2019s tweet read recently. And indeed there were cows ... and goats, chickens, and even a miniature horse. It was the unexpected but profoundly welcomed return of Ag Awareness Week on NC State\u2019s campus.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Spotlighting NC Agriculture<\/b><\/h2>\r\nAlpha Zeta<\/a>, NC State\u2019s agricultural honors fraternity, has hosted the week-long celebration of North Carolina agriculture for decades. The week coincides with the Presidentially recognized National Ag Day in late March.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cWe try to show people on campus how important agriculture is to NC, how it is important in our everyday lives, and what really goes into producing the food and fiber for our state,\u201d Alpha Zeta brother <\/span>Roshni Panwala<\/span> said. \u201cOne of Alpha Zeta\u2019s missions is to promote service and understanding of the agriculture industry. Ag Awareness Week is one of the best ways we showcase that.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"two\r\n

Return of the Ruminants<\/b><\/h2>\r\nThis year\u2019s Ag Awareness Week was the first NC State event to be held in the venerated Brickyard since COVID quarantine began in 2020. The event was completely canceled last year.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cWe had to do a few things differently this year, but for the freshmen and sophomores on campus who\u2019ve missed so many events in the past year, we really wanted to make this happen,\u201d Roshni said. \u201cI was really happy to see students out there enjoying some part of what NC State has to offer. Even if you\u2019re not in CALS [College of Agriculture and Life Sciences] it\u2019s a tradition that everyone enjoys. And the reactions were great - people couldn\u2019t believe it was happening.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn past years, the week included a variety of agricultural animals and row crops hosted in the brickyard for the full week. AZ brothers historically took turns camping out on campus with the animals to ensure good care. This year they had to move animals in and out daily, requiring bleary 4:30 a.m. mornings to meet trailers and unload animals.<\/span>\r\n\r\n \"a<\/span>\r\n

Reaching Across Colleges<\/b><\/h2>\r\nThe event was slow to get noticed because only a fraction of students is on campus this semester. But Roshni noted that word seemed to get out by noon each day that a new animal was on campus. \u201cTraffic definitely picked up in the afternoon as word spread about what was in the Brickyard, and social media inertia took over.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nBob Patterson is an AZ alumnus and outreach superfan, \u201cAlpha Zeta's truly splendid AAW initiative has really gotten the attention of all students who frequent the Brickyard during this very special week. This AZ \"eye-opener\" always helps our students in colleges other than CALS gain a much fuller appreciation for the role CALS plays in meeting all our food, feed, fiber, and specialty crop needs.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"group\r\n\r\nThe Department of Crop and Soil Science's David Crouse is Alpha Zeta's organizational advisor. \"Alpha Zeta involves the very best students pursuing a four-year degree related to agriculture. Whether a student is from a rural community or urban environment, whether they are in a plant science major, one focused on animals, or working to become the next great high school ag teacher, it doesn't matter. All of the brothers are equally passionate about agriculture and maintaining North Carolina's rank near the top of the leaderboard.\"\r\n

Giving Pack<\/b><\/h2>\r\nOther activities for Ag Awareness Week included a livestream forum on NC hemp production that was hosted by an expert panel of NC State faculty. AZ traded their usual Ag Olympics fundraiser for an online silent auction which boasted unique items like NC State cornhole boards and handmade custom pawprint mugs donated by the NC Corn Growers Association.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cWe raised over $1,600 through the auction which will be donated to the campus <\/span>Feed the Pack<\/span><\/a> food pantry. We are so thankful to all of our donors and buyers who made this possible. It was so much fun to watch the bidding get competitive in the last few days!\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\n[pullquote align=right, color=green]This is such an important visibility event for both our college and NC agriculture.[\/pullquote]The week concluded with the annual AZ alumni dinner for current and former AZ brothers. For social distancing purposes, the meal was held outdoors at the new Fike Crop Garden location off Lake Wheeler Road. \u201cWe were so thankful to Dr. Amy Johnson for helping us get that setup. We weren\u2019t sure if we would be able to host the dinner at all.\u201d The event itself was tentative until about a month beforehand when all the permits and approvals lined up.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cHaving the opportunity to introduce our younger AZ members to what Ag Awareness Week is all about was a true honor and privilege for me,\u201d Roshni reflected. \u201cThis is such an important visibility event for both our college and NC agriculture. It\u2019s tradition! And hopefully, next year will be even bigger and better!\u201d<\/span>\r\n

Can You See Yourself in Crop and Soil Sciences?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\r\nIf you are looking for an academic path that leads to impact, consider Crop and Soil Sciences. Our students learn from expert professors and enjoy hands-on adventures every day.\u00a0 Discover more about <\/span>student degree pathways<\/span><\/a> including deep dives into our <\/span>soil science<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>turfgrass<\/span><\/a> programs. Then sign up for an undergraduate's<\/span> guided email tour<\/span><\/a> of our Crop & Soil Sciences Department.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nConnecting students with growing careers is just part of how we are growing the future.<\/span>"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Alpha Zeta, NC State\u2019s agricultural honors fraternity, recently hosted Ag Awareness Week in the Brickyard for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2196,"featured_media":11421,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[477,28],"tags":[75,76,442,478],"class_list":["post-11420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-groups","category-students","tag-ag-awareness-week","tag-alpha-zeta","tag-corn","tag-student-clubs"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2196"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11420"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11436,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11420\/revisions\/11436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/crop-and-soil-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}