Morehead State University - Raconteur Yearbook (Morehead, KY)

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MOVE LHDIMG Agriculture Department Initiates Supplemental Programs This year thousands of farmers found themselves unable to bat- tle the financial difficulties which were forcing them off their land and away from their traditional livelihoods. Determined to resist the tide sweeping away the family farm, farmers united with music and screen superstars in iiFarmAid, a 14 hour concert which raised ten million dollars for immediate relief, and more im- portantly, centered Americais attention on the plight of the American farmer. Dr. Judy Willard, head of the Department of Agriculture at Morehead State, admits her department has felt some waves from the bad press about farm finances. HThe main thing weive seen has been a drop in enrollment. I think some potential majors may have opted for what they feel would be a more secure career. But, what everyone has to realize is that without agriculture, none of us would even be here. Dr. Willard speaks in terms of, not so much resisting changes, as adopting and finding alternatives. The 325-acre farm which operates as the training laboratory for agriculture majors goes along with this concept. ilWe are initiating new programs to supplement the tobacco in- dustry. We hope to become a base for introducing all aspects of the sheep business to this area. Like tobacco, sheep can be a fami- ly based program. The school farm is run like a family business with housing for 24 students who do the actual farm chores. Raising cattle, helping with the lambing, bailing hay, feeding livestock are all part of the process which teaches students by having them actually perform the tasks. At MSU's greenhouse, students raise flowers, vegetables and other plants to sell. Veterinarian students perform small animal surgeries, while others work in a program with local schools to teach handicapped students horseback riding. Dr. Willard says everyone learns about the business side of agriculture, but emphasizes that it is not the department's main concern. HOur top priority is to offer students genuine experience in their field of study. Over fifty percent of our pupils come from non-farming backgrounds. For them, everything is a new ex- perience - docking tails, notching ears, and even feeding. She also says that those who did grow up in this environment learn by seeing other sides of the agricultural world. HMost family farms concentrate on one side of farming, whether it's cattle, tobacco, or whatever. We try to show new methods. We offer alternatives. By TERESA HILL TRIMMIHG the greenhouse flowers is Donna Cockrell a sophomore at MSU. Students raise flowers, vegetables, and other plants to sell in MSU's greenhouse.

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7-...llIIIIIh-h 'lllllllhllhh 'l'llllllllh I'llllllllh I... I I III y... I I ll WEEDIHG the flowers outside the green house is freshman George Taylor. Tayl- is a horticulture major from Mount Sterling, Kentucky. l DONNA Cockrell, a sophomore Horticulture major from Mount Sterling, Kentuck cultivates the flowers in the green house on campus. Agriculture

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MEASURING out ingredients is the most essential part of any recipes The Home Economics department is equipped with many full-size kitchens. Home EC Predicts a Great F uture Resisting the bad press that has haunted MSU this past year may not seem easy to some, but Dr. J. Michael Shane, head of Home Economics, has no problem with it at all. Shane is en- thusiastic about Morehead State and his Home Economics Depart- ment. He has specific goals and predicts, HWithin three yers, we should have one of the best Home Economic programs anywhere in comparison to schools our size. He continues, Morehead State has some great people pushing it forward. It's time we highlighted that instead of the negative things. Shane is more than ready to highlight his own department, and admits he is biased. iiHome Economics is a tremendously exciting field. There is so much you can do with it. When I decided to enter this field, as a male I had to overcome a lot of stereo-typed beliefs. But I made that commitment and determined to keep moving forward. Each of the ten programs in the department are moving forward to help students gain experience in their chosen work. A blend of liberal and applied arts, the different programs provide extensive training in lab situations. In the Home EC. Building, eye-catching Home Ec. TEAMWORK often gets a recipe done faster and better. Joyce James, Cin Collier, Stephen Meadows and Rhonda Pennington work together for the fi product. display windows show off students' talents. Others work togethe preparing a meal for 120 people. In yet another lab, temperatur readings are being precisely measured to determine the best uten sils for specific kitchen tasks. New fashions are conceived designed and created as ideas take tangible shapes in the clothin- labs. Although the variety of programs .cddS many people to focu on the differences, all the programs share common interests Shane explains, i'We emphasize that you must understand people The work is important, but people always come first. The centra focus of Home Economics is the family life, and every aspect o' the department tries to find ways to improve the health of th family, both physically and mentally. Some people perceive Home Ec. as just glorified cooking an- sewing, but Shane says it is much more than that. We reach ouI into the community to make an impact to help people make deci- sions that are timely and accurate. ttWe donit ever have a problem retaining students in these pro- grams. Once they get involved, they dont want to leave. By TERESA HILL