By Lon Tegels
College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Arkansas Forest Resources Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
• Ag Comeback kicks off early with Alumni DinnerJanuary 21st
• UAM Ag Alumni Scholarship Dinner Continues to Expand
• Attendance Success Sprouts New Venue for UAM Ag Alumni Scholarship Dinner
MONTICELLO, Arkansas — Last year the UAM Ag Alumni Society planted the seeds for annual get-togethers of UAM’s agriculture alumni with the Inaugural Aggie Comeback weekend. The special homecoming for UAM Ag Alumni and friends has grown like wild weeds. The UAM Aggie Comeback weekend was so successful that the UAM Ag Alumni Society is hosting multiple events this year.
This year’s 2023 Ag Alumni Scholarship Dinner will be held Saturday, January 21st at the McGehee Men’s Club. Last year the Ag Alumni Scholarship and Auction dinner surprised everyone when it sold out. The turnout maxed out the facility’s seating capacity, which was held at an outdoor venue, The Ridge on Wilson Mill in Monticello. While it was covered, the sides of the facility were open to the weather elements. With this year’s dinner being held in January, UAM Ag Alumni Society Secretary Chris Bryant said an indoor covered facility was a necessity.
The primary reason for holding the 2023 Ag Alumni Scholarship Dinner in January as opposed to April is to accommodate the row crop farmers who are normally in the middle of planting season in April. In addition to the dinner, earlier that day there will be a Row Crop Symposium that will take place from 9 am to noon at the newly renovated UAM Agriculture Building’s auditorium. Speakers include University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture professors Dr. Hunter Biram, who will speak about the “Market Outlook for Row Crops and Risk Management Strategies” and Dr. Brian Deaton, who will present on “Hedging and Marketing Plans”, and Dr. Kishan Mahmud, who will present on “Soil Health and Soil Microbiology”.
“In 2022 we maxed out our venue with about 140 people, and we’re really looking to keep growing this thing every year,” said Bryant. “We are shooting for a goal of 200 sold tickets”, said Bryant.
“By holding the dinner in McGehee Men’s Club, not only is the event allowed to grow due to size of the venue,” said Bryant, “its tenants will be fully enclosed and offer suitable parking.”
“Money raised from the event will go toward the Dr. Kelly J.Bryant Memorial Scholarship. Bryant said, “the money will go toward an endowment to help students with finances or equipment. Whatever we see that the need is that year,” said Bryant. He said the money goes toward scholarships or the advancement of the agriculture program at UAM.
Bryant said of the dinner, “it’s the same kind of agenda as last year. It’s a steak dinner, $40 a ticket, all the trimmings, dessert.” He said there will be introduction of new UAM agricultureprofessors, and a review of where the agriculture program is now and heading for the future. The night wraps up with a silent live auction.”
In the spring, the UAM agriculture program will host more events. The UAM Stampede Rodeo will be held April 6th-April 8th. The UAM Field Day/ Cattle Production Auction will be held Saturday, April 22 at the UAM Agriculture Building auditorium.
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About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offer all of their programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of twenty entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all seventy-five counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
