Student Organizations
These student activities and organizations are sponsored by the Agriculture Department. Several are open to students of any major.
- Judging Teams
- Block & Bridle Club
- Delta Tau Alpha Honor Society
- Meat and Food Science Association
- RAMS (Recruiting Ag Majors)
- Rodeo Team
- Intercollegiate Quiz Bowl
Judging Teams
Any undergraduate students interested in improving their oral and written communication, organizational skills, time management and teamwork strategies can get involved with the judging teams. These are the judging categories available and the competitions they participate in:
- Wool and Mohair Judging
- Judge and grade wool and mohair.
- Attend contests in other cities, such as San Antonio and Houston.
- Faculty advisers: Dr. Mike Salisbury and Mr. Kris Ede.
- Meat Judging
- Judge and grade beef, pork and lamb.
- Attend contests across the country, such as the National Western, Southwestern, Eastern National, Excel, American Royal and others.
- Faculty adviser: Dr. Kirk Braden.
- Livestock Judging
- Judge cattle, sheep and swine.
- Attend contests across the country, such as the National Western, Southwestern, Houston, American Royal and NAILE
- Faculty adviser: Dr. Mike Salisbury.
Block & Bridle Club
The Block & Bridle Club is committed to being involved on campus, in the community and in the field of agriculture. The club is open to all students and is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.
For more information, contact faculty advisers Dr. Mike Salisbury and Corey Owens.
Delta Tau Alpha Honor Society
Delta Tau Alpha (DTA) is a national agriculture honor society of men and women who have in common their achievements in scholarship, leadership and character. The name Delta Tau Alpha means “Dedicated to Agriculture.”
Requirements for Membership
- Complete nine semester hours or the equivalent in agriculture courses.
- Complete 45 semester hours or the equivalent in college courses, including transfers.
- Rank in the highest 35 percent of your class in general scholarship and have completed at least three semesters of college courses.
For more information, contact faculty advisers Dr. Loree Branham and Corey Owens or check out the National Delta Tau Alpha Web site.
Meat and Food Science Association
The Meat and Food Science Association (MFSA) promotes scholastic achievement for students pursuing a degree in animal science with a focus on meat science and/or food science.
The club is open to any ASU students interested in expanding their knowledge of the meat production industry or who are interested in the many aspects of food science. The MFSA organizes fundraising events to support the association, undergraduate research, scholarships and undergraduate/graduate student travel to national meetings.
The MFSA also maintains a catering menu for potential customers. Students in the MFSA plan, organize and conduct each catering event to gain valuable experience. The organization also processes deer and calculates pricing using this form.
For more information, contact faculty advisers Dr. Kirk Braden and Dr. Loree Branham.
RAMS (Recruiting Ag Majors)
RAMS is an organization that comprises undergraduate and graduate students from within the department who are selected by faculty based on service, scholarship and public speaking skills.
These students are responsible for traveling around the state to visit schools, attend conferences and make contact with new students and alumni, with the ultimate goal of increasing awareness of ASU and increasing enrollment within the department.
The student recruiters are also responsible for conducting tours of the Management, Instruction and Research Center, University Ranch and Food Safety and Product Development Laboratory. They also help faculty at various events, such as Discover ASU and SOAR.
For more information, contact Corey Owens in the Agriculture Department.
Rodeo Team
ASU sponsors students who participate in National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) competitions. Typically, ASU has five to eight student rodeo team members who compete in the Southwest Region of the NIRA.
Although ASU offers no formal rodeo scholarships, the Department of Agriculture and ASU provide excellent scholarship opportunities to deserving students. Travel money is also available for rodeo team members.
No practice or stall facilities are available solely for ASU rodeo team members. However, the San Angelo area has several stall and arena facilities.
For more information, contact faculty adviser Corey Owens.
Intercollegiate Quiz Bowls
Meat Science
The Intercollegiate Undergraduate Meat Science Quiz Bowl is a friendly competition designed for students interested in the meat science and/or food science field.
To compete at the national level, participants are expected to research and be familiar with topics related to food safety, meat quality, meat grading, inspection, muscle physiology, animal anatomy, food product development and current events in the food industry.
For more information about the Meat Science Quiz Bowl, contact faculty adivsers Dr. Kirk Braden and Dr. Loree Branham.
Agriculture Economics
The Intercollegiate Agriculture Economics Quiz Bowl team offers opportunities that can enhance your college experience and individual career potential. The benefits include industry contacts, university contacts and teamwork experience.
Many professionals view quiz bowl participants as students who work hard and enjoy challenges. Quiz bowl participants are more adequately prepared for graduate school or obtaining employment in agribusiness industries.
For more information, contact faculty adviser Dr. Sierra Howry.
