News

The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) Agriculture Department hosted their second Research Field Day with an emphasis on soybean research on November 29. Along with sophomore agriculture education honors student Hannah Jenkins presenting her soybean growth research, NEO Instructor and Project Coordinator Alisen Anderson celebrated the new partnerships between NEO and local producers and suppliers. Held at the NEO Research Field, the event included a meal, presentations from NEO President Dr. Jeff Hale, Agriculture Department Chair McKenzie Conner, Anderson, and Jenkins. It also included a showcase of the John Deere S780 Combine with a Flexdraper Soybean Head on lease through a partnership with Legacy Farm and Lawn. “The partnerships of Legacy Farm and Lawn and Bartlett Co-op, who donated the seed, have been instrumental in making this happen,” said Anderson. “Because of their generosity and this program, our students who may have never set foot in a field are now conducting important research that will empower our local producers.” The first Research Field Day focused on NEO’s crop of winter wheat and Conner noted that through the success of the program, new doors have been opened. “Thanks largely to what we have accomplished in the research field, we will be able to introduce an agronomy program option for our incoming students,” said Conner. “This addition ensures that our students are receiving the most relevant and hands-on education for their future careers.” “It’s so important that our students have the opportunities to engage with local producers and suppliers,” said Dr. Hale. “We want NEO to be among the best aggie schools in the nation. That starts with creating quality partnerships and giving our students hands-on experience.” Following the recent soybean harvest, NEO is now preparing the ground for the next round of crop research. Along with the partnership with Bartlett Coop and Legacy Farm and Lawn, the Grand River Dam Authority and Chock Scammon with Dekalb Genetics Corporation have made the project possible. For more information, contact Anderson at Alisen@neo.edu.