Livestock Show Team!

Do you have an interest in obtaining hands on experience with livestock animals?  Cal Poly has you covered!  If you want to become a part of the College of Agriculture at CPP or already are and want to work with different kinds of animals, join the Livestock Show Team! You could work with cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.  Once you are assigned an animal, then the club holds competitions that are throughout California and out of state as well. This gives the student experience in the care and showing of livestock, as well as connecting with other students and livestock show teams.  Joining this team also provides students with benefits as well.  For example, the Animal Science Pre-Vet majors get animal experience hours for participating and all agriculture majors can use the experience for their resumes!

 A great aspect of the club is that all members do not have to pay for any of the costs that go into being a part of the team.  Expenses can really add up when it comes to livestock costs for showing.  Even though the students don't have to pay, they are required to volunteer at fundraising events and educate people on campus about what the team is about.  One of their volunteer activities they participate in is known as "Wool For A Worthy Cause."  Students donate the wool they sheer from their sheep every year to an organization that processes the wool into blankets and gives it to blind workers to sell. For more information go to:http://www.woolforworthycauses.org/

Lastly, one of the more well known competitions Cal Poly participates in is the Los Angeles County Fair which is in the fall at the Pomona Fairplex.  There they have won many awards and have connected with other teams throughout the region.  Individuals interested in learning more about the Livestock Show Team can go to this page for more information:  http://www.csupomona.edu/~avs/livestockshowteam.shtml








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Apparel For All!

        Students who are into fashion and love designing are making headlines here at Cal Poly Pomona!  Did you know that we have an Apparel Merchandising and Management degree?  Well if you didn't, well now you do!  Students who join this major have a chance to learn all about the apparel industry including product development, hands-on retailing techniques, and production methods! Students in this major obtain a BS degree that provides them opportunities to start a career in several different ways including marketing, selling, merchandising, designing and business management.

Some fun activities and field trips this major has done includes obtaining internships at high scale apparel companies within the Los Angeles region, designing and selling bridal gowns to wedding parties,and even participating in global apparel affairs.  For more information please go to: http://www.csupomona.edu/~amm/ 

Not only does the school provide all of these opportunities for its students, but students also can engage in "ApparelScapes" on campus.This provides students in the Apparel Merchandise and Management major the opportunity to design and sell their own products on campus.  The micro-business gives students hands on practice with apparel and merchandising.  It provides  them a chance to gain experience outside of a classroom setting.  They have several different stores on campus including stores in building 45, Off the Farm boutiques, and Pop-up Stores around campus.   More information about ApparelScapes is provided here: http://www.csupomona.edu/~amm/realworld/ApparelScapes.shtml

Furthermore, one insanely cool thing that is happening right now at Cal Poly Pomona for the AMM major is that they are working towards creating a "Revolutionary Clothing Factory."  What does this mean?  Well students are joining forces with international businesses to create  a new piece of machinery that will revolutionize how clothes are made and sold to the customer.  They created an optical cutter that cuts different clothing pieces into different sizes and sows the pieces into a garment.  The entire process only takes thirty minutes to complete! This system created a new way for individual stores to earn more profit and satisfy customers.  The machine is compact enough that it can fit into the back of a store so it gives the store the ability to create garments for customers on the spot if the individual has their own specific desires and needs.  How cool is that?!  If you want to learn more about how the process works and the many benefits and individuals behind it, here is the link to the article: https://polycentric.csupomona.edu/2014/07/apparel-merchandising-helps-develop-revolutionary-clothing-factory/#.VG4S1mO1Z31

Become A Member Of Ag Council!

Ever wonder how the College of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona is run?  Well it is run by a group of individuals who take time out of their day to make it all possible.  How is this possible?  It is possible through an organization on campus known as Ag Council!  Within the organization, there are students who represent the College of Ag that make up a student government.  Everything that the College of Agriculture does is because of this group of highly motivated and caring students.  They create several different activities and fundraisers throughout the year to support all of the agriculture students at Cal Poly!  Some of these events includes Pumpkin Festival, Pizza with the Dean, the Club Fair and Ice Cream Social.  The council has 33 members including several officers like the president, a treasurer and an event coordinator.  Here is the link for more information on the Ag Council organization: http://www.csupomona.edu/~agri/ag-council.shtml  If you are interested in becoming an officer or even just attending the meetings to meet other agriculture students, they hold meetings every other Tuesday at 12 pm in building 2!  The invitation is for any student under the College of Agriculture.  Here is the link to the Facebook page where you can view who the members are of the club and the different updates posted on the site for all members to see: www.facebook.com/CPP.AgCouncil

One very cool aspect of the organization, is that all the members get a say in what occurs in the College of Ag.  Pizza with the Dean is organized in order to become more familiarized with the staff and to express any concerns or questions students may have.   Another fun and resourceful activity they do is called Ag Beautification.  This is where students come together to "beautify" an area on the campus that pertains to the College of Ag.  For example, one time students got together to help paint and clean up the farm near building 2!

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Animal Health Science at CPP!

Animals are integrated into all aspects of life...for most people it's companionship.  Here at Cal Poly Pomona, you can earn a bachelors degree in Animal Health Science.  You can obtain a RVTg (Registered Vet Technologist) license in just four years.  Within four years, you take a series of lecture and lab classes that help educate and give you hands on experience with animal medicine and the overall care of all animal species.  Some examples include learning how to take x-rays, performing proper ultrasounds, and giving vaccines. With this being said, you also get to complete four internships out in the veterinary field.  As long as you get approval from the school and the place of interest, you can intern anywhere including a small private animal hospital, an exotic practice, and an equine unit!  The possibilities are endless!  Not only do you have a chance to have hands on experience in everything you do, but you also get the chance to minor in either science or business!  With all of the different options and resources available to students, individuals are easily able to succeed  in all areas of animal health science.  Here is a link to the Cal Poly AHS site: http://www.csupomona.edu/~vettech/

There is also a club for all  RVTg students known as the AHSTA club(Animal Health Science Technology Association).  Students have a chance to meet other individuals within their major and are able to gain knowledge and experience from the resources provided to them from joining the club.  Every year, students have the option to attend the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas where they can attend a series of different animal organization seminars, as well as be provided with information and goodies.  Also, students in the club have a chance to go on unique field trips to different animal organizations including an aquarium and the Santa Anita race track!  Furthermore, they do pet therapy events at a children's hospital and senior living center every month.  They bring in their pets and socialize with all of the individuals.  The link for the clubs Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AHSTA/

Vino, Vino, and more Vino!

A really cool aspect of our school is that all of our programs take a very hands on learning approach.  If you've toured the campus before, you've probably seen a large hill with tons of grape vines on it!  Have you ever wondered what goes on in those fields?  Well, you may have guessed right.  Cal Poly has its own vineyard full of grapes that are grown and harvested by our very own students called Horsehill Vineyards!  Here is the official website: http://www.csupomona.edu/~horsehill/about.shtml

The College of Agriculture has worked with The Collins College of Hospitality Management and South Coast Winery to create delicious different kinds of wine to sell to the public.  How is this possible you may ask?  Plant Science and Horticulture majors work together to grow grapes that are later harvested to make wine.  Not only is it a cool way to get involved with your fellow agriculture students and professors, but you also get to work with South Coast Winery which provides great experiences for the future when entering the work force.  Our students have actually won several awards in the past for the quality wines they have created! Two gold medals and one bronze medal have been attained!  This included a 2008 rosé wine that won a gold medal at the 70th annual Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition!  Furthermore, the Rosanna Sparkling wine created at Cal Poly was featured on OC Weekly's website! :http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/2013/04/horsehill_vineyards_cal_poly_pomona.php

If you aren't in an agriculture major that specifically works with the vineyards, then you can at least stop by the farm store and pick up a bottle of wine!  Of course, be sure you are of legal drinking age!  You can brag to your friends and family that the bottle you purchased was personally handcrafted by your fellow students!

Here is the farm store site so you can take a look at the prices and available wines during this time:

 http://www.csupomona.edu/~farmstore/

Students interested in watching a video that contains a personal tour of all the different aspects of the college of agriculture including the grape vine fields visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlV5uqwq7lY

Food Science Society Club Ins And Outs!

Are you interested in becoming a Food Science and Technology major?  Cal Poly Pomona is the place for you.  Through this major you apply your science knowledge based skills through chemistry, processing technology, engineering and physics to make healthy foods for society through better technique and management.  Here at Cal Poly, there is a Food Science Society club that you can join.  Not only is it a fun way to meet some of your classmates who are in your major, but it also gives you the chance to network and obtain resource for your future career.

      The club was created in 2003, and has 50 members!  With that being said, every year there are several events that take place within the club.  They hold various dinners, yearly banquets, game nights and event fundraisers throughout the year including booths to raise money and awareness about the different aspects of the major.  The officers of the club also invite individuals out from the field to come in a speak to students about how they can obtain jobs in the field and the different aspects of Food Science. 

     Another important aspect of the club is that they make an annual trip to the IFT (Institute of Food Technologists) convention and encourage all members of the club to join the Institute of Food Technologist Student Association, also known as IFTSA.  At the convention, members will be given access to resources and other food science members and employers for a chance to dive deeper into the degree.  The official website for IFT is: https://www.ift.org/  To gain more access to club updates and member activity, join the Food Science Society Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cpp.fss/timeline.  There you will have a chance to see what is going on within the club on a  daily basis and can post questions or comments you have about the club or just food in general!

College of Ag has Got You Covered For Halloween!

Halloween is just around the corner... in fact it's tomorrow!  If you are interested in becoming a member of the College of Agriculture here on campus, or even if you just want to join in on the Halloween fun, there are a few events and ways to celebrate the holiday every year.  Although it already passed, Pumpkin Festival is an annual event that is held every year here at Cal Poly Pomona on the 18th and 19th of October.  Thousands of people from all over town come in for the festival that is run by the College Of Agriculture.  In our pumpkin patch, there are thousands of pumpkins to choose from.  Not only this, but there is a multitude of fun activities for students and members of the community to participate in.  These include the schools petting zoo, pony rides, great food, and fun booths like face painting.  However, one of the spookiest things you can do is go to the insect fair!  At the fair, there are around 500,000 insects to be seen and held from all over the world.  Not only do you get to have hands on experiences with insects like unique butterflies and grasshoppers, you get to learn how they impact the environment.  For more information go to: http://www.csupomona.edu/~farmstore/Insect-Fair.shtml
 

      If you want to become involved in one of these events for future, join one of the many clubs offered in the College of Ag!  All the clubs have a booth with various activities and information for all people who attend the festival. A list of the clubs are here:  http://www.csupomona.edu/~agri/clubs.shtml
      Bummed that you missed out on this festival this year?  Don't fret!  You can still go into the farm store to buy pumpkins to carve with your friends just in time for tomorrow! Also, in the spring, the College of Ag hosts another bug exhibit extravaganza and free admission to the petting zoo along with an event called the "Taste of the Farm Store."  There, you will be able to try different foods for free that the store offers including cheeses, drinks, candy and produce!  This will be on Saturday, March 7th!  Here is a link for more information: http://www.csupomona.edu/~farmstore/Taste-of-Farm-Store.shtml  

"Learn By Doing": The Latest and Greatest at the Farm Store!

    Looking for some fresh food and a farm style atmosphere?  Look no more!  Cal Poly Pomona's College of Agriculture has it's own store. Their motto "Fresh Off The Cal Poly Pomona Farm," is completely true.  In the store, you can purchase the school's own home grown vegetables, fruits, meats and more!  Some of the most popular items purchased that were grown by the students include delicious pomegranates, tomatoes, Valencia oranges, and fresh squeezed orange juice. The link to the site is: http://www.csupomona.edu/~farmstore/

Want to get involved behind the scenes at the farm store? If you are interested in getting either an Agribusiness and Food Industry Management or Plant Science degree, you could greatly benefit from the tools and resources offered at the farm store. From outside of the typical classroom setting, you can sign up to do an enterprise project linked to the farm. This perfectly exemplifies the campuses motto, "Learn By Doing!" Through this process, you have the chance to grow food products that eventually make it to the store to sell.  Not only is it cool to sell your own products you worked really hard on, but you also get a percentage of the earnings to help with your college expenses!  Your project could include growing vegetables and fruits in the Cal Poly's greenhouse, fields, or facilities!  Furthermore, you could even sell plants for great prices!  For example, some of the plants up for sale at the store right now include several fruit trees, herbs and perennials.  A complete list is here:http://www.csupomona.edu/~farmstore/nursery-plants.shtml 

Either way you, the College of Ag has you covered, you are bound to succeed with the help of other students and professors. 

Horses Galore at CPP!

  



        At CPP, when you make your way through Kellogg Drive to main campus, you are bound to see large pasture of tons of Arabian horses.  If you are an early bird like I am,  you probably love to see the horses meandering in their large pasture pens up against the gorgeous sunrise that sits atop the mountains. What you may not know, is that it is known as the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center.  As some of you may heave realized, my first blog post mentioned how the Kellogg center originated: http://abroncogirlspost.blogspot.com/2014/10/75-years-in-making-of-college-of-ag.html

At the stables, you can sign up as a volunteer and  there are tons of teams you can join!  Some of these include the Intercollegiate Horse Show Team, the Rodeo Team, and the Arabian Drill Team...to name a few.  Furthermore, the staff at the stables is always looking for student volunteers to help out with the livestock, whether it be with grooming and feeding the horses, or even just socializing and exercising them.

Since our campus signed a contract with Mr. Kellog about keeping his ranch, our school must continue to breed Arabian horses every year. One of the biggest and most well known programs offered is the Foal Watch Program.   I've done it for the past two years, and love every minute of it because of my passion for horses and my desire to gain more knowledge in all aspects of the College of Agriculture here at our campus. The program is normally held every winter through spring quarter.   Students are encouraged to join and are assigned a pregnant mare for the span of the rest of the school year.  During that time, they are taught how to care for their mare during her pregnancy.  This includes grooming the horse, exercising her, as well as weighing her and recording her activities and changes in a record book.  Once the due date gets closer, students must closely monitor their mare and sleep over in the stables the night she is going to foal.  They then help with the foaling process and take care of the baby.  Often, the most exciting part for the students, is the fact that they get to name the foal and take care of it.  Here is a link that explains all of the horse center's programs: http://www.csupomona.edu/~equine/foalwatch.shtml
 Not only is this a great opportunity to gain familiarity with horses, but it's a chance to experience more of what the College of Ag provides for its students and is great to put on resumes! 

75 Years in the Making Of The College Of Ag!

      Did you know that the College Of Agriculture at CPP has been around for 75 years?!  Well if you didn't know, it has been around since 1938...and it has continued to thrive tremendously every year since then.  What makes it even more interesting was that Cal Poly Pomona was originally owned by Keith Kellogg.  That's right, the owner and creator of Kellogg Cornflake cereal!  It used to be known only as the Kellogg Ranch where he cared for and bred tons of Arabian horses, but he eventually ended up giving his property to our school with one desire in mind: that the College of Ag keep his ranch and Arabian horses well taken care of for years to come!  Here is a link that gives the full story of how our campus and the College of Ag came about here at CPP: http://www.csupomona.edu/~library/specialcollections/history/historyofcalpoly.html

   


 The College of Ag has so many degrees you can choose from.  If you are a person who loves to get your hands dirty and are a fan of all things agriculture, this is the college for you!  Whether it's Agribusiness and Food Industry Management, Plant Science, Animal Health Science, Apparel Merchandising and Management, or any of the other degrees you can achieve through the College of Ag, there is something for everyone.  Here is a link that provides all of the master programs, degrees, and minors offered: http://www.csupomona.edu/~agri/degreesoffered.shtml