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Fri, 10/28/2022 - 16:28
Edited Text
FALL
2006
COLLEGE
NEWSLETTER
OF
AGRICULTURE,
FOOD
&
ENVIRONMENTAL
VOLUME
9
SCIENCES
ISSUE
1
STAY IN TOUCH
·· 4
News Briefs
College of Agriculture,
Food and Environmental
Dean'sOffice"
Sciences
, .,
,. (805) 756-2161
Advancement and Alumni Relations
, , .(805) 756-3269
Agribusiness
,
,
,.,
,
,
,(805) 756-5000
What's in a Name?
6
Discover Hidden Gems
8
Oreggia Jump-Starts Tech Center
10
Agncultural Education & Communication .. , ,(805) 756-2803
Animal Science
,,
,
(805) 756-2419
BioResource & Agricultural Engineering
Dairy Science
Earth and Soil Sciences
,
, .(805) 756-2560
,
,,
(805) 756-2261
,,
, .(805) 756-2660
Horticulture and Crop Science
Natural Resources Management.
12
Testing 1-2-3
13
Kickin' Back at Camp
14
Pitching in to Save Pines and Oaks
15
, .. ,(805) 756-2279
, .. (805) 756-2702
AgrlVlew is published by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental SCiences
Comments may be sent to:
Tanya Kiani, College of Agriculture, Food and Environrnental Sciences
Cal Poly, San LUIs Obispo, CA 93407
Phone: (805) 756-7507
Art Dlreclion
& Layout: Scott Saunders / Barnett Cox & Associates
Photography:
Chris Leschmsky (unless otherwise noted)
For up-to-date
·····
, (805) 756-2378
, .. ,
Food Science & Nutrition
New Digs
tkiani@calpoly.edu
news about the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental SCiences,
go to http://cafes.calpoly.edu.
NEW
B R I
S
STUDENTS IN THE NEWS
RODEO
Agricultural
science
graduate
Beth
Sequeira took home a first-place finish and
$2,500 from the national Young Farmers
Construction management senior Ben
Londo won his second consecutive Men's
All-Around title at the 2006 College
STARS
and Ranchers Leadership Conference.
National
After winning the statewide Collegiate
Casper, Wyo. The 58th annual event ended
Discussion
the 2005-2006
Meet
in December
2005,
Sequeira traveled to Des Moines, Iowa,
Finals Rodeo this summer
in
season for the National
PHIL TONG EARNS
NATIONAL AWARD
Professor and Dairy Products Technology
Center Director Phil Tong (above, right)
received the International Dairy Foods
Association Research Award for his work
in the area of dairy foods processing.
Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
where she won the national discussion
The award recognizes leading researchers
contest, sponsored by the American Farm
Londo finished second overall in saddle
Bureau Federation. Sequeira discussed
bronc
he
the award during the American Dairy
topics such as changing public perception
finished second in the second go-round,
Science Association's annual meeting in
of agriculture and protecting farms from
ending the competition
terrorism.
and the
riding.
In
bareback
riding,
with 220 points
Men's All-Around
title.
in
applied dairy science. Tong received
Minneapolis, Minn.
Londo
had a spectacular rodeo season, finishing
Tong is the 13th award recipient and the
as best male all-around
in
first from the Western United States. He
majors Susan Malisch and Ruth Sanborn
the West Coast Region and third best
was recognized for his research in dairy
were
nationally.
Environmental
horticultural
awarded
D. Haskell
2006-2007
scholarships,
the
science
Arnold
competitor
ingredients
largest
processing,
and composition
scholarships given through Cal Poly. The
Former Cal Poly rodeo coach Frank Mello
Arnold D, Haskell Fund was established
said winning
the
NIRA all-around
title
functionality
control. Tong and his
Cal Poly research application team have
helped professional processors use dairy
by the M. H. Sherman Company in honor
twice is extremely rare. "He's good - really
ingredients to develop
of Haskell, who established the Sherman
good. He's just a good kid, and he works
beverages, as well as bakery products and
Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar
hard," said Mello.
other foods.
new dairy-based
for the advancement of environmental
horticulture education in California. Now in
Other rodeo news: JoAnn Switzer, a
For more information, visit the Web site
its third year, the scholarship is designed
longtime supporter of the Cal Poly rodeo
http://www.calpolyedul-dptcl.
to cover the annual cost of attendance for
team, was inducted
into the California
two environmental
State
Hall
horticultural
science
students and includes an internship.
200
6
Fair
Sacramento,
Rodeo
of
Fame
in
E F S
TANYA KlAN I APPOINTED
ASSISTANT DEAN
CHANGING
Tanya Kiani was appointed assistant dean
The first
beginning
of advancement
Agribusiness department.
and external
relations
of
of
PLACES
September marked the
new leadership in the
for the College of Agriculture, Food and
Environmental Sciences in June. She will
Wayne Howard
lead all aspects of the college's fund-
department chair, succeeding Kenneth
Scott. After serving successfully for eight
raising campaigns, alumni affairs, publicity
and industry relations.
Prior to her appointment, Kiani directed
advancement programs for the College
of Architecture and Environmental Design
and for the Cuesta College Foundation.
She has also served as Cal Poly's director
of development for capital projects at the
Performing Arts Center.
Kiani earned a bachelor's degree from
CSU Long Beach and M.BA
years as chair of the largest agribusiness
program in the nation, Scott decided to
return to teaching.
Cal Poly's Organic Farm was featured on
an episode of the Huell Howser-hosted
PBS Series "California's Green" earlier
this year.
The
show
highlighted
the
farm's
Community
Supported
Agriculture
program and included interviews with the
farm's manager, Terry Hooker, as well as
Cal Poly students working on the farm.
Howard has taught seven different courses
during the seven years he has been at Cal
Poly. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M
"One of the first things people want to
know is what it was like to work with Huell
and specializes in farm management, farm
Howser," said Hooker. "He was full of
appraisal and microeconomic theory.
energy. He really knew what he wanted in
terms of a good program. We had a good
time with him."
from Cal
To learn more about Cal Poly's Organic
Farm and the CSA Program, visit the
Poly.
She was selected
has been named the
ORGANIC FARM
FINDS FAME
through
a national
search after Mike Barr, former director of
Web site http://www.calpoly.edu/-sarc/
farm.htm.
advancement, left to direct the California
Agriculture Leadership Program.
AGRIVIEW
5
DEAN DAVID
WEHNER IS
LOOKING TOWARD
THE FUTURE.
6
FALL
2006
-
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
BY
SUSAN
MCDONALD
Dean Wehner is thinking about the next decade and the students
The college currently offers 18 majors ranging from traditional
his college will attract, the kinds of programs they will need and
production-oriented
what consumers will demand from future college graduates.
crop science and dairy science, to programs not typically found
agriculture disciplines, such as animal science,
in colleges of agriculture, including nutrition, forestry and natural
He is also mindful of the past and the rich and proud tradition the
resources, earth sciences, and recreation, parks and tourism. "Our
College of Agriculture has enjoyed since Oct. 1, 1903, when Cal
name should reflect our diversity," the dean said. "It should also
Poly opened as a vocational high school offering animal husbandry
help pique the curiosity of those 17- and 18-year-olds who are
and crops classes to students.
considering a college education, but might not investigate the
College of Agriculture."
Agriculture, Wehner is sure to say to anyone, has
been a vital part of Cal Poly since "Day One,"
So, what's in a name? Well, in the case of the College of
and agriculture education at the university will
Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the new name spells
continue to thrive if it adapts and evolves just as it
out the depth and breadth of the college, and the addition of "Food"
has for the past 103 years.
and "Environmental Sciences" to the name reinforces agriculture's
important connection with the food supply and stewardship of the
"There have been many changes that have
environment.
eventually led to the College of Agriculture as
we know it today," Wehner said. "At one time the
"It's a mouthful," Wehner laughs, "but it tells everyone who we are."
name of the college was the School of Agriculture
and Natural Resources. Degree programs and
departments have been added, combined and
renamed over the years. If these changes had
not occurred, we would still be a vocational high
school, not a leading university."
With respect for the past and his sights set on
the future, Wehner has announced that the name
of the college has once again changed. The new
name is the College of Agriculture,
Environmental
Food and
Sciences, a name that Wehner
and his colleagues believe most accurately and
clearly reflects the diversity of the college today
and where it will lead students tomorrow.
What is not changing, he is quick to say, is the
most important component, the learn-by-doing
programs that prepare students to be industry
leaders and contribute to society.
AGRIVIEW
7
DISCOVER
HIDDEN GEMS
BY
8
FALL
2006
TOM
ELTZROTH
D
Located a short 15-minute walk from the campus core is the Leaning Pine Arboretum,
a five-acre living laboratory of beautiful landscape
plants in a quiet setting with stunning vistas. This "hidden gem" sits near the end of Via Carta above the new sports complex.
As part of the Horticulture and Crop Science department, the arboretum is used extensively by students. Plants are labeled with permanent
identification signs and are attractively arranged by geographic origin, often by natural plant communities. Visitors will learn much from colorful
interpretive signs and a self-guided tour brochure.
The main focus is the display and study of water-thrifty plants appropriate for landscape use throughout California's vast mediterranean
climate area. Its main collections feature plants from the world's five mediterranean climate regions: Australia, California, Chile, South Africa,
and the Mediterranean basin. Other sections showcase native plants of New Zealand, palms, succulents, primitive plants such as cycads, and
a collection of conifers and topiaries. The arboretum doesn't attempt to collect and display rare plants; instead, it emphasizes plants available
in the California nursery and landscape trade.
In keeping with Cal Poly's famous learn-by-doing approach to education, nearly all design, installation and maintenance work is done
by students. Almost all of the operating budget comes from outside donations. Student labor is supported by generous contributions to
the arboretum's Student Assistants Program. Supplies, plants and other non-employee expenses are also provided by donations, often
supplemented by generous in-kind gifts.
Campus VIsitors are invited to set aside time to tour the arboretum. Bring a camera and enjoy some of the world's most fascinating plants. A
colorful guide to the arboretum and brochures for self-guided tours are available at the Poly Plant Shop and at the arboretum entrance. For
direcbons, hours of operation and other information, visit http://www.leaningpinearboretum.calpolyedu.
AGRIVIEW
9
I
OREGGIA JUMPSTARTS TECH
CE TER
BY
TANYA
KIANI
Arden Oreggia didn't graduate from Cal Poly. In fact, the Salinas
valley farmer wasn't able go to college at all.
Yet, the Oreggia Family Foundation of Salinas has donated $1.5
million toward planning and construction of Cal Poly's new $20million Agriculture Technology Center, a facility to be funded totally
by private contributions.
'This latest gift from the Oreggia Family Foundation is a very
important one," said David Wehner, dean of the College of Agriculture,
Food and Environmental Sciences. 'It will allow us to get started with
design work for the center, while we move ahead to secure additional
private funding."
Taylor and Denny Bertelsman, another foundation trustee.
Before his death, Oreggia took a keen interest in the creamery and
The new high-tech center will provide critically needed lab space
for faculty members to conduct applied research and to work with
students on senior projects, Wehner said. The 35,000-squarefoot, three-story
Food sct en ce I'ro[eJwr Ha nv f·:I"dd drmost rat es the ne u! retort, p urchnsrd
usit l: [uudsfro n: t hr (Jregg'<1 ;',tmil)' Fou ndat ion.
building will house 'wet labs" for agricultural and
environmental chemistry and biochemistry research, as well as other
its dairy operations, donating $425,000 to the college to support
hiring a full-time creamery manager and to purchase commercialgrade equipment for the ice cream lab, A subsequent studentled tour through the creamery during Open House so impressed
Oreggia that he decided to set up a foundation to benefit the
college.
laboratory space.
The Oreggia Family Foundation supports the development of
'Our goal is to support the priorities of the college, and the Agriculture
agriculture facilities and programs at the university, Foundation
Technology Center appears to be the number-one priority," said
donations so far include $45,000 per year for five years for enology;
Oreqqia Family Foundation trustee Robert Taylor. 'We're happy to
$68,000
help, and we hope this gift will encourage others to support the
and $337,000 to purchase new equipment for a variety of activities.
center.'
toward the creamery; $24,000 for discretionary projects;
Oreggia funds paid for new equipment in the beef center and for a
state-of-the-art
The estates of Arden Oreggia and his sister, Sabina, created the
retort, a key piece of commercial food-processing
equipment, for the Food Sciences and Nutrition department.
Oreggia Family Foundation. Oreggia grew up on the family dairy
outside Gonzales, and later, as a produce
grower, he greatly
'For students the learning really is in the doing," said food science
expanded the family's operations. Oreggia did not have the chance
Professor Hany Khalil. 'The Oreggia retort will open the door for
to attend college, but he developed a long relationship with Cal Poly,
them to a deeper understanding of food processing techniques."
periodically hosting groups of students for field lessons, according to
AGRIVIEW
11
NEW DIGS
BY
SUSAN
MCDONALD
going. Convenience, portion control and flavor are important to
creating a pleasurable dining experience."
The nearby Animal Nutrition Center is under construction this fall,
Photo: Jeff Broome
replacing the 60-year-old feed mill. It will provide hands-on learning
for feed manufacturing, using industrial-grade equipment like larger
Stelle n, Cay and John Lau donate $1 million to the
Meat Processing Center.
Some call it "Andy's 16-Million-Dollar-Story." It's a true tale about
four facilities under construction to expand and improve animal
science instruction at Cal Poly and the man who is charged with
finding the money to pay for them.
Animal Science Department
Head Andy Thulin is looking for
$8 million in private donations to add to $8 million from the state to
build the new beef, meat-processing and animal nutrition centers
and expand the cattle evaluation facility. Cal Poly relocated the aging
commercial feed plants use. Mass production capability will be 10
tons per hour. It will provide all the food for university livestock and
will manufacture specialty diets for animal research.
The state contributed $2 million for this facility, and industry
supporters have contributed state-of-the-art equipment and more
than $1 million.
Construction of the Beef Center at the Escuela Ranch is about 85-
facilities to make room for new student housing.
percent complete. "The new center will give us some much-needed
"We saw a unique opportunity and decided to go for it," Thulin said.
elbow room for programs like embryo transfer and bull testing," said
Thulin.
"We are now seeking partnerships with alumni, parents and industry
supporters to build centers where our students will learn to apply
scientific principles and use the latest technology. These facilities
To find out more about the
animal science
are vital to our learn-by-doing philosophy."
(805) 756-2419 or athulin@calpoly.edu.
http://www.animalscience.calpoly.edu.
John and Gay Lau, owners of the family-operated Yosemite Meat
Company in Modesto, have donated $1 million to build the Meat
Processing Center to be located near the Poultry Unit. Their sons
are both agribusiness alums; Michael graduated in 1999 and Steven
in 2005.
"John Lau and his family truly believe in developing young people to
become industry leaders," said Thulin. "With their support and the
support of others, our meat-processing and food-safety programs
will be among the best in the country."
Plans for producing ready-to-eat
and ready-to-cook
foods are
especially exciting to Thulin. "That is where the meat industry is
Professor Mike Hall oversees the bull test facility.
12
FALL
2006
or
projects, go to
contact
Thulin
at
TESTING
BY
SUSAN
1-2-3
MCDONALD
With a bottle of fly spray in one hand and a long metal paddle in the
The bull test is part of the university's new Beef Center located
on 2,200 acres south of campus. Beef programs include heifer
development, embryo transfer, commercial cow-calf operations and
the purebred Angus herd.
Cal Poly is also testing radio frequency identification on the bulls,
other,Jalisca Fry coaxed a long line of yearling bulls through a chute
fitting them with tags that can be scanned to identify each animal
at Cal Poly's new bull test facility.
and trace its history. "This is state-of-the-art and absolutely critical
The petite third-year agricultural education major deftly maneuvered
be required by the USDA in 2009.
because of health concerns," Hall said. Radio frequency 10 tags will
the ',OOO-pound animals toward the hydraulic squeeze scale,
spritzing the bulls with insecticide and pushing them with the paddle
Technology aside, it is really the animals that drew Jalisca Fry into
when they bunched up in line.
the beef program.
"Learning how to work with large animals is
hard," she said. "You have to know their blind zones and how to
Fry and a half-dozen other students were out at the university's
make them move. Out here, I get a real sense of accomplishing
Escuela Ranch early on a foggy August morning to weigh, measure,
something. It feels good."
vaccinate
and tag about 200 young Angus bulls in preparation for
the 50tn Annual Cal Poly Bull Test Sale.
The efficient design of the new facility let the
students move the rambunctious animals safely
and in rapid succession.
"With
the double
alleyway, the animals go through a lot smoother,"
said Mike Hall, Cal Poly's beef cattle specialist
and supervisor of the bull test facility. "The
emphasis here is on low stress."
Planning for the facility, which has a large barn
and a labyrinth of silver and red portable pens,
began about six years ago, Hall said. "We broke
ground last January, and then we had to deal
with the late rains. We started building the pens
In
late May."
The animals are kept on fenced hillsides, with
water provided at the top of the hill and food at
the bottom to encourage them to exercise. "It's
a very nice set-up," Hall said.
(Abol'O t udenr [alisca Fr) mares bit/Is
through the chutr (RIglrt R"dIO [requency
ID
lags.
AGRIVIEW
13
r
,I,
Photo: Josef Kasperovich
For some high school students from the Salinas Valley, Cal Poly
extracted samples with pipettes and studied them under
was the first place to find that learning can be fun,
microscopes - just like Cal Poly students,
Mostly children of fieldworkers at the Tanimura & Antle produce
Grant-Holcomb took the students into the Cal Poly Chocolates
company, the 20 high school students - 10 boys, 10 girls - came
enterprise project production area, She gave them an overview
to campus for two learning-filled days in early August as part of the
of nutrition, including how to decipher nutrition labeling on
produce company's "Welcome to Our World" summer camp,
packages, and talked about food safety and food processing, Then
the students dipped graham crackers and pretzels in chocolate
The company has sponsored a free summer camp for the past
- making two Cal Poly Chocolate specialties, The high-schoolers
three years, introducing students to computer software programs,
got to taste their creations the next day,
Internet research, business attire and etiquette, and career and
higher-education options,
Burgoa gave a lesson on water delivery systems, aqueducts and
water engineering at the Cal Poly water treatment plant, as well
Though not an alumna, Tanimura & Antle Community Affairs
as a lesson on the sustainable water system for the campus and
Director Cheryl Ward-Kaiser had her mind set on Cal Poly, "Three-
its farms, Scott represented the Agribusiness department and
quarters of the people we hire come from Cal Poly, and I love
described careers available to ag grads,
the high-tech emphasis of the College of Agriculture, Food and
Environmental Sciences," she said,
For the students, the two days were eye-opening, "The one thing
I kept hearing from the kids was 'I never knew you could have fun
Ward-Kaiser worked with college-advising resource specialist
and still learn!' "said Ward-Kaiser, "They were so excited, That
Bradley Kyker, who recruited professors Dan Peterson, Arlene
hands-on teaching in science is exactly how teaching is supposed
Grant-Holcomb, Ben Burgoa and Ken Scott to set up on-campus
to be."
lessons on animal science, food science, bioresource and ag
engineering, and agribusiness, The high school students and their
Kyker said the two-day camp gave the college a chance to partner
chaperones stayed overnight in Yosemite Hall.
with longtime supporters Tanimura & Antle and to reach out to a
diverse population of high school students. "They were potential
In their biotechnology lab class with Peterson, for example,
first-generation college students. For us, it was a chance to do
students learned about cell mutation and how cells act differently
some recruiting - and a real treat."
in the solutions surrounding them, They mixed different solutions,
14
FALL
2006
PITCHING IN TO SAVE
PINES AND OAKS
BY
KAT
IE
HOFSTETTER
After years of examining diseases that are killing California's native
His counterpart
tree populations, a pair of natural resources management professors
decided to take their research across the globe.
is spending fall quarter in Australia and New Zealand studying
populations of Douglas firs, redwoods and pines.
In years past, Doug Piirto and Wally Mark worked with graduate
Before traveling to the South Pacific, Mark was studying sudden
oak death, which has killed over a million native oak and tanoak
and undergraduate students to study the effects of pitch canker
has taken his research abroad, as well. Mark
on Monterey pines at the Ano Nuevo stand. The forest, which
trees throughout California and Oregon. Through aerial mapping
extends into Cal Poly's Swanton Pacific Ranch, is one of only three
natrve mainland populations of Monterey pine. Mark was based at
and stream sampling, it was determined that sudden oak death
is
traveling
south,
Swanton Pacific Ranch, while Piirto continued his research in San
and Mark focused on
preventing the spread
LUIs Obispo.
of the pathogen
Through the study,
Piirto
began
working
with
Finnish
forest
biometncran Sauh Valkonen, who urged Piirto to reconnect
with
San
Luis
into
Obispo
County.
his own FInnish roots. As a result, Piirto helped create an exchange
program be ween Cal Poly and Finland's Seinajoki Institute, and he
For information
about
IS
the firs! Car Poly faculty member to participate.
project
research by
Mark and Piirto, visit
It
IS a perfec
the Web site http://
ari.calstate.edu/
research/index.aspx?
ProjectCampus=San
%20Luis.
a major role
fl for both universities and for Piirto. Forestry plays
In
Finland's economy, and Piirto teaches Introduction
o ores ecosys em management,
among
0
forest harvesting and utilization,
her classes, a Cal Poly.
research In Finland durrng all quarter.
He
IS
currently continuing
his
AGRIVIEW
15
Photo: Robert Hubbell
CAL POLY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD &
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0448
2006
COLLEGE
NEWSLETTER
OF
AGRICULTURE,
FOOD
&
ENVIRONMENTAL
VOLUME
9
SCIENCES
ISSUE
1
STAY IN TOUCH
·· 4
News Briefs
College of Agriculture,
Food and Environmental
Dean'sOffice"
Sciences
, .,
,. (805) 756-2161
Advancement and Alumni Relations
, , .(805) 756-3269
Agribusiness
,
,
,.,
,
,
,(805) 756-5000
What's in a Name?
6
Discover Hidden Gems
8
Oreggia Jump-Starts Tech Center
10
Agncultural Education & Communication .. , ,(805) 756-2803
Animal Science
,,
,
(805) 756-2419
BioResource & Agricultural Engineering
Dairy Science
Earth and Soil Sciences
,
, .(805) 756-2560
,
,,
(805) 756-2261
,,
, .(805) 756-2660
Horticulture and Crop Science
Natural Resources Management.
12
Testing 1-2-3
13
Kickin' Back at Camp
14
Pitching in to Save Pines and Oaks
15
, .. ,(805) 756-2279
, .. (805) 756-2702
AgrlVlew is published by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental SCiences
Comments may be sent to:
Tanya Kiani, College of Agriculture, Food and Environrnental Sciences
Cal Poly, San LUIs Obispo, CA 93407
Phone: (805) 756-7507
Art Dlreclion
& Layout: Scott Saunders / Barnett Cox & Associates
Photography:
Chris Leschmsky (unless otherwise noted)
For up-to-date
·····
, (805) 756-2378
, .. ,
Food Science & Nutrition
New Digs
tkiani@calpoly.edu
news about the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental SCiences,
go to http://cafes.calpoly.edu.
NEW
B R I
S
STUDENTS IN THE NEWS
RODEO
Agricultural
science
graduate
Beth
Sequeira took home a first-place finish and
$2,500 from the national Young Farmers
Construction management senior Ben
Londo won his second consecutive Men's
All-Around title at the 2006 College
STARS
and Ranchers Leadership Conference.
National
After winning the statewide Collegiate
Casper, Wyo. The 58th annual event ended
Discussion
the 2005-2006
Meet
in December
2005,
Sequeira traveled to Des Moines, Iowa,
Finals Rodeo this summer
in
season for the National
PHIL TONG EARNS
NATIONAL AWARD
Professor and Dairy Products Technology
Center Director Phil Tong (above, right)
received the International Dairy Foods
Association Research Award for his work
in the area of dairy foods processing.
Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
where she won the national discussion
The award recognizes leading researchers
contest, sponsored by the American Farm
Londo finished second overall in saddle
Bureau Federation. Sequeira discussed
bronc
he
the award during the American Dairy
topics such as changing public perception
finished second in the second go-round,
Science Association's annual meeting in
of agriculture and protecting farms from
ending the competition
terrorism.
and the
riding.
In
bareback
riding,
with 220 points
Men's All-Around
title.
in
applied dairy science. Tong received
Minneapolis, Minn.
Londo
had a spectacular rodeo season, finishing
Tong is the 13th award recipient and the
as best male all-around
in
first from the Western United States. He
majors Susan Malisch and Ruth Sanborn
the West Coast Region and third best
was recognized for his research in dairy
were
nationally.
Environmental
horticultural
awarded
D. Haskell
2006-2007
scholarships,
the
science
Arnold
competitor
ingredients
largest
processing,
and composition
scholarships given through Cal Poly. The
Former Cal Poly rodeo coach Frank Mello
Arnold D, Haskell Fund was established
said winning
the
NIRA all-around
title
functionality
control. Tong and his
Cal Poly research application team have
helped professional processors use dairy
by the M. H. Sherman Company in honor
twice is extremely rare. "He's good - really
ingredients to develop
of Haskell, who established the Sherman
good. He's just a good kid, and he works
beverages, as well as bakery products and
Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar
hard," said Mello.
other foods.
new dairy-based
for the advancement of environmental
horticulture education in California. Now in
Other rodeo news: JoAnn Switzer, a
For more information, visit the Web site
its third year, the scholarship is designed
longtime supporter of the Cal Poly rodeo
http://www.calpolyedul-dptcl.
to cover the annual cost of attendance for
team, was inducted
into the California
two environmental
State
Hall
horticultural
science
students and includes an internship.
200
6
Fair
Sacramento,
Rodeo
of
Fame
in
E F S
TANYA KlAN I APPOINTED
ASSISTANT DEAN
CHANGING
Tanya Kiani was appointed assistant dean
The first
beginning
of advancement
Agribusiness department.
and external
relations
of
of
PLACES
September marked the
new leadership in the
for the College of Agriculture, Food and
Environmental Sciences in June. She will
Wayne Howard
lead all aspects of the college's fund-
department chair, succeeding Kenneth
Scott. After serving successfully for eight
raising campaigns, alumni affairs, publicity
and industry relations.
Prior to her appointment, Kiani directed
advancement programs for the College
of Architecture and Environmental Design
and for the Cuesta College Foundation.
She has also served as Cal Poly's director
of development for capital projects at the
Performing Arts Center.
Kiani earned a bachelor's degree from
CSU Long Beach and M.BA
years as chair of the largest agribusiness
program in the nation, Scott decided to
return to teaching.
Cal Poly's Organic Farm was featured on
an episode of the Huell Howser-hosted
PBS Series "California's Green" earlier
this year.
The
show
highlighted
the
farm's
Community
Supported
Agriculture
program and included interviews with the
farm's manager, Terry Hooker, as well as
Cal Poly students working on the farm.
Howard has taught seven different courses
during the seven years he has been at Cal
Poly. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M
"One of the first things people want to
know is what it was like to work with Huell
and specializes in farm management, farm
Howser," said Hooker. "He was full of
appraisal and microeconomic theory.
energy. He really knew what he wanted in
terms of a good program. We had a good
time with him."
from Cal
To learn more about Cal Poly's Organic
Farm and the CSA Program, visit the
Poly.
She was selected
has been named the
ORGANIC FARM
FINDS FAME
through
a national
search after Mike Barr, former director of
Web site http://www.calpoly.edu/-sarc/
farm.htm.
advancement, left to direct the California
Agriculture Leadership Program.
AGRIVIEW
5
DEAN DAVID
WEHNER IS
LOOKING TOWARD
THE FUTURE.
6
FALL
2006
-
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
BY
SUSAN
MCDONALD
Dean Wehner is thinking about the next decade and the students
The college currently offers 18 majors ranging from traditional
his college will attract, the kinds of programs they will need and
production-oriented
what consumers will demand from future college graduates.
crop science and dairy science, to programs not typically found
agriculture disciplines, such as animal science,
in colleges of agriculture, including nutrition, forestry and natural
He is also mindful of the past and the rich and proud tradition the
resources, earth sciences, and recreation, parks and tourism. "Our
College of Agriculture has enjoyed since Oct. 1, 1903, when Cal
name should reflect our diversity," the dean said. "It should also
Poly opened as a vocational high school offering animal husbandry
help pique the curiosity of those 17- and 18-year-olds who are
and crops classes to students.
considering a college education, but might not investigate the
College of Agriculture."
Agriculture, Wehner is sure to say to anyone, has
been a vital part of Cal Poly since "Day One,"
So, what's in a name? Well, in the case of the College of
and agriculture education at the university will
Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the new name spells
continue to thrive if it adapts and evolves just as it
out the depth and breadth of the college, and the addition of "Food"
has for the past 103 years.
and "Environmental Sciences" to the name reinforces agriculture's
important connection with the food supply and stewardship of the
"There have been many changes that have
environment.
eventually led to the College of Agriculture as
we know it today," Wehner said. "At one time the
"It's a mouthful," Wehner laughs, "but it tells everyone who we are."
name of the college was the School of Agriculture
and Natural Resources. Degree programs and
departments have been added, combined and
renamed over the years. If these changes had
not occurred, we would still be a vocational high
school, not a leading university."
With respect for the past and his sights set on
the future, Wehner has announced that the name
of the college has once again changed. The new
name is the College of Agriculture,
Environmental
Food and
Sciences, a name that Wehner
and his colleagues believe most accurately and
clearly reflects the diversity of the college today
and where it will lead students tomorrow.
What is not changing, he is quick to say, is the
most important component, the learn-by-doing
programs that prepare students to be industry
leaders and contribute to society.
AGRIVIEW
7
DISCOVER
HIDDEN GEMS
BY
8
FALL
2006
TOM
ELTZROTH
D
Located a short 15-minute walk from the campus core is the Leaning Pine Arboretum,
a five-acre living laboratory of beautiful landscape
plants in a quiet setting with stunning vistas. This "hidden gem" sits near the end of Via Carta above the new sports complex.
As part of the Horticulture and Crop Science department, the arboretum is used extensively by students. Plants are labeled with permanent
identification signs and are attractively arranged by geographic origin, often by natural plant communities. Visitors will learn much from colorful
interpretive signs and a self-guided tour brochure.
The main focus is the display and study of water-thrifty plants appropriate for landscape use throughout California's vast mediterranean
climate area. Its main collections feature plants from the world's five mediterranean climate regions: Australia, California, Chile, South Africa,
and the Mediterranean basin. Other sections showcase native plants of New Zealand, palms, succulents, primitive plants such as cycads, and
a collection of conifers and topiaries. The arboretum doesn't attempt to collect and display rare plants; instead, it emphasizes plants available
in the California nursery and landscape trade.
In keeping with Cal Poly's famous learn-by-doing approach to education, nearly all design, installation and maintenance work is done
by students. Almost all of the operating budget comes from outside donations. Student labor is supported by generous contributions to
the arboretum's Student Assistants Program. Supplies, plants and other non-employee expenses are also provided by donations, often
supplemented by generous in-kind gifts.
Campus VIsitors are invited to set aside time to tour the arboretum. Bring a camera and enjoy some of the world's most fascinating plants. A
colorful guide to the arboretum and brochures for self-guided tours are available at the Poly Plant Shop and at the arboretum entrance. For
direcbons, hours of operation and other information, visit http://www.leaningpinearboretum.calpolyedu.
AGRIVIEW
9
I
OREGGIA JUMPSTARTS TECH
CE TER
BY
TANYA
KIANI
Arden Oreggia didn't graduate from Cal Poly. In fact, the Salinas
valley farmer wasn't able go to college at all.
Yet, the Oreggia Family Foundation of Salinas has donated $1.5
million toward planning and construction of Cal Poly's new $20million Agriculture Technology Center, a facility to be funded totally
by private contributions.
'This latest gift from the Oreggia Family Foundation is a very
important one," said David Wehner, dean of the College of Agriculture,
Food and Environmental Sciences. 'It will allow us to get started with
design work for the center, while we move ahead to secure additional
private funding."
Taylor and Denny Bertelsman, another foundation trustee.
Before his death, Oreggia took a keen interest in the creamery and
The new high-tech center will provide critically needed lab space
for faculty members to conduct applied research and to work with
students on senior projects, Wehner said. The 35,000-squarefoot, three-story
Food sct en ce I'ro[eJwr Ha nv f·:I"dd drmost rat es the ne u! retort, p urchnsrd
usit l: [uudsfro n: t hr (Jregg'<1 ;',tmil)' Fou ndat ion.
building will house 'wet labs" for agricultural and
environmental chemistry and biochemistry research, as well as other
its dairy operations, donating $425,000 to the college to support
hiring a full-time creamery manager and to purchase commercialgrade equipment for the ice cream lab, A subsequent studentled tour through the creamery during Open House so impressed
Oreggia that he decided to set up a foundation to benefit the
college.
laboratory space.
The Oreggia Family Foundation supports the development of
'Our goal is to support the priorities of the college, and the Agriculture
agriculture facilities and programs at the university, Foundation
Technology Center appears to be the number-one priority," said
donations so far include $45,000 per year for five years for enology;
Oreqqia Family Foundation trustee Robert Taylor. 'We're happy to
$68,000
help, and we hope this gift will encourage others to support the
and $337,000 to purchase new equipment for a variety of activities.
center.'
toward the creamery; $24,000 for discretionary projects;
Oreggia funds paid for new equipment in the beef center and for a
state-of-the-art
The estates of Arden Oreggia and his sister, Sabina, created the
retort, a key piece of commercial food-processing
equipment, for the Food Sciences and Nutrition department.
Oreggia Family Foundation. Oreggia grew up on the family dairy
outside Gonzales, and later, as a produce
grower, he greatly
'For students the learning really is in the doing," said food science
expanded the family's operations. Oreggia did not have the chance
Professor Hany Khalil. 'The Oreggia retort will open the door for
to attend college, but he developed a long relationship with Cal Poly,
them to a deeper understanding of food processing techniques."
periodically hosting groups of students for field lessons, according to
AGRIVIEW
11
NEW DIGS
BY
SUSAN
MCDONALD
going. Convenience, portion control and flavor are important to
creating a pleasurable dining experience."
The nearby Animal Nutrition Center is under construction this fall,
Photo: Jeff Broome
replacing the 60-year-old feed mill. It will provide hands-on learning
for feed manufacturing, using industrial-grade equipment like larger
Stelle n, Cay and John Lau donate $1 million to the
Meat Processing Center.
Some call it "Andy's 16-Million-Dollar-Story." It's a true tale about
four facilities under construction to expand and improve animal
science instruction at Cal Poly and the man who is charged with
finding the money to pay for them.
Animal Science Department
Head Andy Thulin is looking for
$8 million in private donations to add to $8 million from the state to
build the new beef, meat-processing and animal nutrition centers
and expand the cattle evaluation facility. Cal Poly relocated the aging
commercial feed plants use. Mass production capability will be 10
tons per hour. It will provide all the food for university livestock and
will manufacture specialty diets for animal research.
The state contributed $2 million for this facility, and industry
supporters have contributed state-of-the-art equipment and more
than $1 million.
Construction of the Beef Center at the Escuela Ranch is about 85-
facilities to make room for new student housing.
percent complete. "The new center will give us some much-needed
"We saw a unique opportunity and decided to go for it," Thulin said.
elbow room for programs like embryo transfer and bull testing," said
Thulin.
"We are now seeking partnerships with alumni, parents and industry
supporters to build centers where our students will learn to apply
scientific principles and use the latest technology. These facilities
To find out more about the
animal science
are vital to our learn-by-doing philosophy."
(805) 756-2419 or athulin@calpoly.edu.
http://www.animalscience.calpoly.edu.
John and Gay Lau, owners of the family-operated Yosemite Meat
Company in Modesto, have donated $1 million to build the Meat
Processing Center to be located near the Poultry Unit. Their sons
are both agribusiness alums; Michael graduated in 1999 and Steven
in 2005.
"John Lau and his family truly believe in developing young people to
become industry leaders," said Thulin. "With their support and the
support of others, our meat-processing and food-safety programs
will be among the best in the country."
Plans for producing ready-to-eat
and ready-to-cook
foods are
especially exciting to Thulin. "That is where the meat industry is
Professor Mike Hall oversees the bull test facility.
12
FALL
2006
or
projects, go to
contact
Thulin
at
TESTING
BY
SUSAN
1-2-3
MCDONALD
With a bottle of fly spray in one hand and a long metal paddle in the
The bull test is part of the university's new Beef Center located
on 2,200 acres south of campus. Beef programs include heifer
development, embryo transfer, commercial cow-calf operations and
the purebred Angus herd.
Cal Poly is also testing radio frequency identification on the bulls,
other,Jalisca Fry coaxed a long line of yearling bulls through a chute
fitting them with tags that can be scanned to identify each animal
at Cal Poly's new bull test facility.
and trace its history. "This is state-of-the-art and absolutely critical
The petite third-year agricultural education major deftly maneuvered
be required by the USDA in 2009.
because of health concerns," Hall said. Radio frequency 10 tags will
the ',OOO-pound animals toward the hydraulic squeeze scale,
spritzing the bulls with insecticide and pushing them with the paddle
Technology aside, it is really the animals that drew Jalisca Fry into
when they bunched up in line.
the beef program.
"Learning how to work with large animals is
hard," she said. "You have to know their blind zones and how to
Fry and a half-dozen other students were out at the university's
make them move. Out here, I get a real sense of accomplishing
Escuela Ranch early on a foggy August morning to weigh, measure,
something. It feels good."
vaccinate
and tag about 200 young Angus bulls in preparation for
the 50tn Annual Cal Poly Bull Test Sale.
The efficient design of the new facility let the
students move the rambunctious animals safely
and in rapid succession.
"With
the double
alleyway, the animals go through a lot smoother,"
said Mike Hall, Cal Poly's beef cattle specialist
and supervisor of the bull test facility. "The
emphasis here is on low stress."
Planning for the facility, which has a large barn
and a labyrinth of silver and red portable pens,
began about six years ago, Hall said. "We broke
ground last January, and then we had to deal
with the late rains. We started building the pens
In
late May."
The animals are kept on fenced hillsides, with
water provided at the top of the hill and food at
the bottom to encourage them to exercise. "It's
a very nice set-up," Hall said.
(Abol'O t udenr [alisca Fr) mares bit/Is
through the chutr (RIglrt R"dIO [requency
ID
lags.
AGRIVIEW
13
r
,I,
Photo: Josef Kasperovich
For some high school students from the Salinas Valley, Cal Poly
extracted samples with pipettes and studied them under
was the first place to find that learning can be fun,
microscopes - just like Cal Poly students,
Mostly children of fieldworkers at the Tanimura & Antle produce
Grant-Holcomb took the students into the Cal Poly Chocolates
company, the 20 high school students - 10 boys, 10 girls - came
enterprise project production area, She gave them an overview
to campus for two learning-filled days in early August as part of the
of nutrition, including how to decipher nutrition labeling on
produce company's "Welcome to Our World" summer camp,
packages, and talked about food safety and food processing, Then
the students dipped graham crackers and pretzels in chocolate
The company has sponsored a free summer camp for the past
- making two Cal Poly Chocolate specialties, The high-schoolers
three years, introducing students to computer software programs,
got to taste their creations the next day,
Internet research, business attire and etiquette, and career and
higher-education options,
Burgoa gave a lesson on water delivery systems, aqueducts and
water engineering at the Cal Poly water treatment plant, as well
Though not an alumna, Tanimura & Antle Community Affairs
as a lesson on the sustainable water system for the campus and
Director Cheryl Ward-Kaiser had her mind set on Cal Poly, "Three-
its farms, Scott represented the Agribusiness department and
quarters of the people we hire come from Cal Poly, and I love
described careers available to ag grads,
the high-tech emphasis of the College of Agriculture, Food and
Environmental Sciences," she said,
For the students, the two days were eye-opening, "The one thing
I kept hearing from the kids was 'I never knew you could have fun
Ward-Kaiser worked with college-advising resource specialist
and still learn!' "said Ward-Kaiser, "They were so excited, That
Bradley Kyker, who recruited professors Dan Peterson, Arlene
hands-on teaching in science is exactly how teaching is supposed
Grant-Holcomb, Ben Burgoa and Ken Scott to set up on-campus
to be."
lessons on animal science, food science, bioresource and ag
engineering, and agribusiness, The high school students and their
Kyker said the two-day camp gave the college a chance to partner
chaperones stayed overnight in Yosemite Hall.
with longtime supporters Tanimura & Antle and to reach out to a
diverse population of high school students. "They were potential
In their biotechnology lab class with Peterson, for example,
first-generation college students. For us, it was a chance to do
students learned about cell mutation and how cells act differently
some recruiting - and a real treat."
in the solutions surrounding them, They mixed different solutions,
14
FALL
2006
PITCHING IN TO SAVE
PINES AND OAKS
BY
KAT
IE
HOFSTETTER
After years of examining diseases that are killing California's native
His counterpart
tree populations, a pair of natural resources management professors
decided to take their research across the globe.
is spending fall quarter in Australia and New Zealand studying
populations of Douglas firs, redwoods and pines.
In years past, Doug Piirto and Wally Mark worked with graduate
Before traveling to the South Pacific, Mark was studying sudden
oak death, which has killed over a million native oak and tanoak
and undergraduate students to study the effects of pitch canker
has taken his research abroad, as well. Mark
on Monterey pines at the Ano Nuevo stand. The forest, which
trees throughout California and Oregon. Through aerial mapping
extends into Cal Poly's Swanton Pacific Ranch, is one of only three
natrve mainland populations of Monterey pine. Mark was based at
and stream sampling, it was determined that sudden oak death
is
traveling
south,
Swanton Pacific Ranch, while Piirto continued his research in San
and Mark focused on
preventing the spread
LUIs Obispo.
of the pathogen
Through the study,
Piirto
began
working
with
Finnish
forest
biometncran Sauh Valkonen, who urged Piirto to reconnect
with
San
Luis
into
Obispo
County.
his own FInnish roots. As a result, Piirto helped create an exchange
program be ween Cal Poly and Finland's Seinajoki Institute, and he
For information
about
IS
the firs! Car Poly faculty member to participate.
project
research by
Mark and Piirto, visit
It
IS a perfec
the Web site http://
ari.calstate.edu/
research/index.aspx?
ProjectCampus=San
%20Luis.
a major role
fl for both universities and for Piirto. Forestry plays
In
Finland's economy, and Piirto teaches Introduction
o ores ecosys em management,
among
0
forest harvesting and utilization,
her classes, a Cal Poly.
research In Finland durrng all quarter.
He
IS
currently continuing
his
AGRIVIEW
15
Photo: Robert Hubbell
CAL POLY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD &
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0448
Media of