January E-News

This week marks the start of a new semester for students, faculty and staff at Fresno State! Ag One welcomes students back to campus and wishes the best for a great semester. For the 2015-2016 academic year, Ag One has provided nearly $500,000 to deserving students and programs. Over the years, donors, board members and volunteers have made it possible to award some 3,500 students with more than $2.5 million in scholarships and grants.

  

If you’ve paid a visit to the Fresno State campus lately you may have noticed that the Jordan Agricultural Research Center has transformed in recent weeks. As the exterior is drawing attention and excitement, plans for the grand opening of the building are progressing with an estimated completion date later this spring. Stay tuned for an invitation to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. More 

  

Dr. David Zoldoske has been named Executive Director of the Fresno State Campus Water Initiatives, which creates a first point of reference to all of the water-focused programs on campus including the California Water Institute (CWI), Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT), the International Center for Water Technology (ICWT) and the Water and Energy Technology (WET) lab. Dave has served Fresno State for more than 30 years through his work on water use efficiency, most recently as the director of CIT and IWT and he was recently named “person of the year” by the California Irrigation Institute. More

  

Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro has awarded the University Farm Laboratory $2 million for upgrades and renovations of farm facilities. A portion of the funds have been allocated to the following projects which include a foaling barn at the quarter horse unit, upgrades to the meats lab, an additional water source for the poultry unit, stanchions and lighting at the dairy, electrical upgrades at the rodeo arena, additional feeders at the sheep unit, swamp coolers in the old pavilion and more.

  

The Jordan College students, faculty and staff took over the Save Mart Center Saturday, January 16 for Fresno State's annual celebration of Ag Fest. The college brought sheep, pigs and calves from the farm and created a petting zoo for families to enjoy outside, just prior to the men's basketball game vs. San Jose State. Inside the arena, Ag Fest included welcoming local FFA chapters, pre-game and half-time activities, and special recognition of the Jordan College throughout the event, which featured a video presentation highlighting the college's achievements. Watch the video here 

  

The department of agricultural business recently launched the new Agricultural Business Associates Program and invites alumni & friends to become inaugural investors! The program helps to build rewarding relationships with students and faculty, and supports the mission of the department which seeks to graduate broadly educated and well-trained agribusiness professionals through high-impact learning experiences that allow students to participate directly with industry. More

 

Kristi Mattes, a 1976 graduate of the Jordan College’s Agricultural Business department and her mother, Luanne Silkwood, made a recent $15,000 gift this December to support the Fresno State Livestock Judging Team through their Silkwood Family Foundation. Kristi and her husband Jim, also an alum and a former member of the Livestock Judging Team, and their two children, remain extremely active in the agricultural education community. We are honored to receive this gift which will help our team continue its great success. Please join us in thanking the Silkwood Family Foundation for supporting their lifelong passion.

Planting seeds of success…

• Update on the Jordan College Dean search: candidate Dr. Paul Patterson from Auburn University visited the Fresno State campus for the second time last week. More information on the search to come.
• Two grants were awarded to Fresno State’s Food Science and Nutrition Department for produce safety research and consumer education. More 
• The Fresno State Winery announced several top awards including two gold wins for the 2012 Touriga from Duarte Vineyards. More
• The Jordan College is growing! Many of the college’s departments have faculty and staff positions open, for more information visit the Career Opportunities page and sort by Job ID number:
  • Agricultural Business: Agricultural Business, vacancy # 12658
  • Agricultural Operations: Automotive/Equipment Mechanic, # 12843
  • Animal Science and Agriculture Education: Animal Science – Dairy, #12719; Animal Science – Poultry, #12718; Agricultural Leadership #12696
  • Child, Family and Consumer Sciences: Child and Family Science, #12691
  • Food Science and Nutrition: Culinary Science, #12632; Nutrition and Dietetics, #12752
  • Plant Science: Tree Physiology and Horticulture, #12789
  • Other career opportunities through the Ag Foundation:
  • Gibson Farm Market Manager

 

Important Dates

January 29, 2016 – Jordan College Advising & Career Development Center Grand Opening, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

March 10, 2016 – Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends Dinner, Modesto Junior College Ag Pavilion

March 16, 2016 – 20^th Annual Common Threads Luncheon, International Agri-Center Heritage Complex, Tulare

May 9, 2016 – 45^th Annual Turf Day Golf Classic, Belmont Country Club

June 20 - 24, 2016 - Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Azores

President and Mrs. Mary Castro and interim Dean Dr. Sandra Witte will travel to Angra, Terceira to sign an agreement with the University of the Azores. The agreement will put in place an exchange program for students majoring in agriculture. For more information on this visit or the program contact Alcidia Freitas Gomes at 559-278-4266.

 Become and Ag One Member!

If you’re not already a member, please consider joining Ag One and receive 10% off selected items like wine and olive oil at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market!