Alabama Ag Expedition aims to educate Auburn students

Combined report
Posted 3/26/18

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Waters Nursery in Robertsdale was among the hosts last week when 28 Auburn University students experienced a special spring break, thanks to an Alabama agricultural tour …

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Alabama Ag Expedition aims to educate Auburn students

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Waters Nursery in Robertsdale was among the hosts last week when 28 Auburn University students experienced a special spring break, thanks to an Alabama agricultural tour sponsored by the Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers.
The Alabama Ag Expedition covered over 1,200 miles and 19 tour stopes, from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf of Mexico, March 11-16. The AU College of Agriculture students learned about row crops, cattle, catfish, forestry, horticulture, niche industries and more during the six-day trip.
For Baldwin County native Kelsey Cassebaum, a senior majoring in agriculture economics and business, the trip was about learning the different aspects of the agriculture business and be able to experience it with a diverse group.
“I grew up in a farming family,” said the Lillian native, “but this is the first time I’ve gotten to experience things like catfish and poultry farming, and some of the other aspects of the agriculture industry. It’s truly been a unique experience.”
Not only has Cassebaum learned about the various aspects of the agricultural industry, she has been able to gain understanding from the other students on the tour.

“This is a very diverse group. Some of us have agricultural backgrounds, some don’t,” she said. “Not only that, but this is a very culturally diverse group. We have students from China, Ukraine and all across the country and the state of Alabama. We all bring our unique prospective to the experience and getting to share that is priceless.”
Agriculture is Alabama’s largest industry, with an over $70 billion economic impact, said Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Committee Chair Scott Saucer of Monroe County.
“We wanted to show students the diversity of the state’s agriculture,” he said. “Our hope is this trip helps familiarize these students with on-farm production and related industries and encourages them to seek career paths in our state.”
The tour began Sunday, March 11 with tours of the McMichen Farm, Cherokee Gin & Cotton Co., and Tate Farms, followed by tours of the Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Red Land Cotton, Mark Byrd’s farm and Haynes Farms March 12.
On March 13, students toured Drury Farms, West Fraser Mills and Parnell Inc with stops on March 14 at CK Cattle Co., Priester’s Pecans, Conecuh Sausage and Tri-County Peanut.
On March 15 students began the day at Port of Mobile before touring Waters’ Nursery with owner Terry Waters and son Justin Waters, who is the operation’s general manager. After touring the facility, the students enjoyed lunch at The Waters’ Edge, a catering and special events facility owned by the Waters family.
The tour concluded on March 16 with stops at 4C Land & Cattle Co and Bonnie Plants.
“The opportunities in agriculture are endless, whether you want to farm, work for an ag lender or educate others through Extension and ag education,” Saucer said.
Students earned a spot on the tour by applying through AU College of Agriculture advisers. In preparation for the trip, students compiled information about the farms and industries on the agenda. Following the tour, they presented to fellow students and other groups about what they learned.


Press release provided by the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) with additional reporting by Onlooker co-editor John Underwood.