CROOKSTON, Minn. - Members of the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Agriculture Committee were on campus last week touring the University Teaching and Outreach Center, the Charles H. Casey Equine Arena, Horticulture Hoop house and Agronomy labs.

“Agriculture is found in so many places and we were thrilled to host the Ag Committee last week,” said Unit Head, Anthony Kern, Ph.D.  UMN Crookston has 36 majors, 12 academic majors are in Ag and NatR: Natural Resources, Equine Science, Animal Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agriculture Systems Management, Golf Turf Management, Equine Business Management, Environmental Sciences, Ag Business, Agricultural Communication and Agricultural Education. 

“Whether it was describing the impact that the campus continues to have on the region, project based learning and undergraduate research opportunities, our guests walked away with a renewed sense of the Land Grant University right here in our backyard,” said Kern.

UMN Crookston supports sustainability in agriculture, science and manufacturing with its real, hands-on ready academic portfolio.  “It is always exciting to share all good things UMN Crookston, during the tour our guests learned a bit more about a recent donation of 62 cubic yards of wild rice knuckles and hulls. Weighing in at 16,700 pounds these byproducts will replace wood shavings for bedding in our Equine program,” said Christy Doyea, UMN Crookston Barn Manager. 

This load of hulls will be used for bedding in the stalls in replacement of shavings, lasting five to six weeks serving 45 stalls. Doyea said the hulls and knuckles smell amazing and helps cut down on ammonia.  “Using them for bedding in the stalls not only is a cost savings for animal supplies, it too was a research project that Morgan Pyles, Ph.D and three students conducted just recently,” she said.


Story Contact: Shawn Smith
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