Young Montanans from across the state gathered Friday morning in Linfield hall for the Meats Judging contest, part of MSU's 2004 Agriculture Appreciation Days. MSU photo by Erin Raley.

Montana State University's Agriculture Appreciation Days 2004 will begin with Nov. 11 Ag Days Competition for high school students and continue through a Saturday evening banquet Nov. 13.

For those three days, ag-related events fill the entire MSU campus, not just its College of Agriculture buildings.

The weekend starts early. On Thursday Nov. 11, about 700 high school students from across Montana will participate in educational competitions that range from public speaking to livestock judging, and from agriscience to debate. Their energy is matched by students in MSU's College of Agriculture who help organize and judge the high school student's events.

For most of the public, Ag Appreciation Weekend begins Friday Nov. 12 with a 3 p.m. Steer-A-Year Judging Contest at the Miller Pavilion just west of the main campus. Steer-A-Year is a fund-raising event that directly benefits students in the College of Ag, those participating on the Rodeo Team, and student athletes. In this program, producers donate steers and other livestock. Steers can either be sent to MSU where they are tended by College of Ag students and fed out to sale weight. Alternatively, steers and other livestock can be sold through participating auction houses and the proceeds are sent to the donor's program of choice. The MSU Livestock Judging Team judges the steers sent to MSU, and it is that judging that can be observed at the pavilion.

At 5:15 p.m. Nov. 12, the M.L. Wilson Lecture takes place at the Museum of the Rockies, followed by a 6:30 p.m. reception in the museum's lobby. The lecture series brings renowned scholars to give a public address on economic issues related to Montana. This year, the lecture will be given by Bruce Gardner of the University of Maryland. His topic is "Pathways to Economic Growth and Rural Communities."

At 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13 there will be a special tour of agricultural biotechnology facilities in the Veterinary Molecular Biology Building, which is in the Advanced Technology Park on College Street just west of campus. At 10 a.m., the Ag Tailgate Party begins in the tent outside the MSU Football Stadium. The Bobcats take on Eastern Washington at 12:05 p.m.

Outstanding Ag Leaders will be recognized at halftime during the football game. Those leaders are Charles McGlothlin of Park City, Bob Hanson of White Sulphur Springs, Donald Fast of Glasgow and Gene Surber of Bozeman. In addition, the outstanding Extension and FFA alumni will be recognized during the game. The outstanding 4-H and FFA Alumnus is Dane Dugan of Bozeman, outstanding 4-H alumna are Tammy Duncan of Joplin and Carol Linafelter of Great Falls.

After the game, you can bid on any of hundreds of items in the College of Agriculture's Silent Auction in MSU's Strand Union Building Ballroom D. Items range from art work to silverwork, and golf games to hunting trips. All profits benefit students in the College of Agriculture.

At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, enjoy the no-host social hour while continuing to bid on the items in the Silent Auction. Bidding continues until the Boots & Bow Ties dinner is served at 7 p.m. The entertainment this year will be by Rick Kountz, a cowboy poet.

After the banquet, the winners of several raffles will be chosen. The Montana 4-H Foundation is raffling a seven-day or 10-day Holland America cruise for two, with proceeds benefiting Montana 4-H programs. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased by calling the foundation office at (406)994-5911. The drawing limited to 250 tickets.

In addition, the College of Agriculture is selling raffle tickets for a dollar each for three prizes: a round-trip ticket on Northwest Airlines sponsored by Montana Travel, a Jim Dolan sculpture donated by Dolan, and a parka donated by Creative Monograms. Tickets are available from MSU Ag Ambassadors or by calling Lynn Speakman at (406) 994-5744.

All proceeds from the Silent Auction and the College of Agriculture's raffle support the Student Activities Fund in the MSU College of Agriculture. To get your banquet or raffle tickets, contact Speakman at 215 Linfield Hall or (406) 994-5744.

Written by Carol Flaherty and posted 11/12/04.