Involving Undergraduate Students in Research and Management at the Ag Research Center.

With a recent transition to the David M. Barton Agriculture Research Center, the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University has faced many exciting changes.  Developing and designing a research center also has many challenges.  This included a move from a primarily beef and forage demonstration farm to an area for cattle, pastures as well as irrigated cropping systems.  In order to provide experiential learning opportunities for our students and useful demonstrations for producers, faculty involve students in the research and management at the Ag Research Center.  Students are a valuable and necessary asset for the goals at the Ag Research Center.  Encouraging students to participate in an active learning approach 1) provides faculty with student labor necessary for data collection, and 2) provides a method of communication with the neighboring community when students share their experiences with family and friends, and 3) provides students with knowledge and experience for the future.