2019 Gumbo final - Book - Page 104
More Than a Club
The Agribusiness Club Goes Above
Being Just a Social Atmosphere and
Prepares Members for Their Future
or students planning to pursue a career in agriculture
and want to meet others with the same interests, the
Agribusiness club could help you grow professionally
and socially.
The Department of Agriculture and Department of Agricultural
Economics established the Agribusiness club in 1937 for
agricultural business students to come together.
The Agribusiness club currently has about 25 members devoted
to being leaders to help contribute to society by preparing for a
career in agriculture.
The club’s objective is for members to be involved in numerous
activities that not only help them grow as students but provide
them with the resources to develop professional networking skills.
The club accomplishes this through conventions, expos, internship
opportunities and field trips, where members are given the
opportunity to meet business-related professionals.
Colt Hardee, Agricultural Business sophomore and president of
the Agribusiness club, said club members network with agricultural
employers around the U.S.
“It gives us more of a hands-on knowledge of our industry and our
curriculum,” Hardee said. “I would say we are a hybrid between a
professional and social organization.”
The club goes on various field trips and tours to listen to guest
speakers as they share their experience in the agricultural
business industry. Club members develop their knowledge of the
grain industry each year through the organization Grain Elevator
and Processing Society at a national conference in New Orleans
every year.
The club members try to help the other members with anything
from tutoring to moral support.
“My personal goals for the organization is to make [members]
competitive for the job-force as they enter it upon graduation,”
Hardee said.
In the 1980s, club members participated in a “Progressive Dinner,”
where professors would cook for club members.
“[Progressive Dinner] connected students more with their
professors,” Hardee said. “I’m trying to get us back to some of
those roots.”
Greek organizations Alpha Gamma Rho and Sigma Alpha were
created to foster students’ love for agriculture and for those who
want to remain loyal to their agricultural roots. The sorority and
fraternity welcome members of any major and background.
The Agribusiness club had its first meeting Tuesday. The club will
announce its upcoming monthly meetings in the future.
“[The club] serves as an opportunity for anybody in our major to
get hands on leadership experience,” Hardee said. “It’s a lot of
networking and professional development. It’s what we’re founded
on and still do today.”
Story // Brittney Forbes
Photo // Reveille Photographer
Design // Catherine Carpenter
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