CAFES News – Page 8

Issues in California Agriculture Course

Students in the AG 452: Issues in California Agriculture course recently traveled to Sacramento to present their policy analysis projects and meet with California agricultural leaders. The course was created in 2003 by alumnus George H. Soares, managing partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP, with the goal of preparing the future leaders in California agriculture by providing them a true Learn by Doing experience in the capitol. Students presented on topics including GMO education, local food systems, agricultural mechanization and agricultural waste management. They met with secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, senators, legislative advocates, program alumni and more.

Student News

Student Scholars

Professor Ike Kang and three students Emily Beckerman, Jasmin Moallem, and Shreyash Patel attended the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Conference in Hawaii. During the conference, Beckerman was awarded the Western Poultry Scholarship and student merit award and Jasmine Moallem received the student poster presentation award. Following the conference, Beckerman and Patel received invitations to attend the Global Ingenuity Program in Denver, Colorado, fully sponsored by JBS Foods.

General News

Winemaker Showcase a Success

The 29th Annual Winemaker Showcase, presented by Serial Wines, raised $565,000 for the Wine and Viticulture Department. The largest fundraiser in the department is planned, designed, managed and produced by students. The annual event brings wine industry leaders from around California and the US to campus to hear from students, enjoy a four-course wine dinner and a new grand tasting walk around cocktail hour featuring alumni winemakers. Industry partners who supported this event included Serial Wines, Center of Effort, Couch Family Wines and J. Lohr Vineyards.

Student News

Logging Team Wins Third Place

The Cal Poly Logging Team recently won third place at the American Western Forestry Club Conclave, the largest event west of the Mississippi, held at Cal Poly Humboldt. Cal Poly’s “A” team won third place overall and was awarded a chainsaw. Kelly Schwenger, fourth-year forest and fires sciences major, was named Belle of the Woods for the second year in a row.

The group photo of students holding wooden trees is all students who placed first in individual events. The trees were carved with a chainsaw by Alumnus Ethan Fagan (Forestry and Natural Resources, ’19).

General News

Tomato Spectacular Sale

More than 100 different types of tomato plants will be available at Cal Poly’s annual Tomato Spectacular plant sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20 at the Horticulture Unit near the Poly Plant Shop. This one-day event will be accompanied by live music on the lawn at the unit’s entrance while customers wait.

Brandywine, Kellogg’s Breakfast, Vintage Wine, and a selection of cherry tomato plants, including Nature’s Bites, are some of the unique cultivars that will be available during the student-run event, one of several hands-on opportunities offered by Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. A catalogue of available varieties will be made available on April 1 at polyplantshop.com.

This year the program is directed by a team of five students who have grown more than 5,000 tomato plants from seeds to provide home gardeners with quality plants that will produce fresh tomatoes throughout the summer. Students sow the seeds and grow the plants in campus greenhouses.

The plants cost $6 each and are available on a first-come basis, with no holds or reservations made in advance. Customers are encouraged to bring boxes and/or wagons to transport plants to their vehicles.

The sale will take place at the Environmental Horticultural Sciences Building (No. 48) on Via Carta Road off Highland Drive. Parking will be provided for free in lot H14. Customer inquiries can be sent here: polyplantshop.com/contact-us.

General News

Free Cal Poly Baseball Tickets

It’s CAFES Day at the Cal Poly Baseball game this Sunday, March 3! Come watch Interim Dean Bill Hendricks throw out the first pitch at 12:45 p.m.

Free general admission tickets can be accessed by clicking here.

Upgrade to the Krukow’s Klubhouse for $33 for free food and alcohol (21+).

General News

World Ag Expo

The college hosted an informational booth staffed by CAFES Ambassadors at the World Ag Expo in Tulare from Feb. 13-15, speaking with prospective students and visiting with Cal Poly alumni. World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition with over 1,200 exhibitors and an attendance of more than 100,000 each year. The college also hosted an alumni and friends reception, which welcomed more than 200 people.

Student News

Equestrian Team Advances to Semifinals

The Cal Poly Equestrian Team had four riders qualify to compete on the western team for the semifinals held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, representing Zone 8 – Region 1 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association semifinals. Students Ellie Hilzer, ranch riding, Jaimieson Knode, level western horsemanship, Rose Wakefield, western horsemanship and Skye Blackwell, western horsemanship qualified to compete. The top four teams from each semi-finals competition move on to nationals.

Student News

First Generation Student Panel

The Fresh Tracks: First Generation Panel Discussion on Feb. 8, held for the first time in the Experience Innovation Lab, was a great success. Four first generation students: Liliana Luevano, Kenneth Blanco, Cassandra Monterrosa and Diego Ortega, had the opportunity to share their experiences at Cal Poly and opened the door to conversations about the challenges that come with. This event was organized by the CAFES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

General News

Taste of the World Event

Students from the Food Science and Nutrition Department and the Experience Industry Management Department collaborated with the Cal Poly International Center to host A Taste of the World on Feb. 28. The event showcases cuisine from around the globe. Guests were treated to student curated recipes from around the world, international travel information, and live performances. Students in the FSN 344, Foodservice Operations II course prepared recipes from cuisines in South Korea, Jordan, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand, Germany, and more!

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