Letter from the Chair

Transcription

1 Inside this Issue Letter from the Chair, p.1 Treasurer s Report, p Award Recipients, p Annual Meeting in Pictures, p.4-8 A Graduating Student s Perspective, p. 9 Membership Update, p.10 Cleon Namken Scholarship Update, p Meeting Information, p.10 Section Officers and Contact Information p Important Dates ASABE TX Section Meeting, Dallas October 4-6 PE Exam April 21 Other ASABE Events are available on ASABE s website: Letter from the Chair Warm Greetings! I hope that this newsletter finds you and your family well, and that 2017 is off to a productive start. The Executive Committee is well into the planning of our Section s annual technical meeting and tours to be held in the Dallas area in October. Looking back briefly at the Section s activities during the past few months, you will find news highlighting the Annual meeting in Lubbock, an article from Allison Thomason, a senior majoring in Agricultural Systems Management at Texas A&M University, the Cleon Namken Memorial Scholarship, membership service awards and the treasurer s report. I have been writing and revising this article in the middle of March Madness. The unpredictability of each game s outcome, despite the seedings, is engaging. Working in the agricultural sector is also engaging, not only because of the impact of uncertainties (like floods, drought, and wild fires) on agriculture, but because the profession is challenging and fulfilling. Working in agriculture gives us diverse opportunities to contribute towards improving economic prosperity for our communities, country and internationally. As members of the ASABE Texas Section, we have opportunities to inform and mentor our younger generation in stimulating careers in agriculture. Nearly 20% of our Section membership is comprised of student members. As a professional society, we contribute towards this goal by monetarily supporting the ASABE Student Chapters at Texas A&M University, hosting a Young Professionals Social and by encouraging students to present their work at our Annual Technical Session. Recently we have added the opportunity to extend our impact on students through giving to the Cleon Namken Memorial Scholarship Fund. In our professional work place, many of us have had the opportunity to influence others by offering internships or post-doctoral positions and by mentoring younger employees. I have expectations of the people that I hire and can measure their successes through the products that they produce. However, I often ask myself, Am I doing my part to help this person improve professionally and to facilitate his/her progress towards a more permanent position so that they can continue to make positive contributions towards agriculture? 1

2 After all, post-graduation, it was the mentoring from and collaborations with colleagues in the profession that helped me to burgeon my career. Not only is it important to reach out and encourage students, but it is important to inspire one another to continue to contribute as professionals to the field. In addition to the workplace, we can achieve this through our connection with the ASABE Texas Section. We have a diverse membership. Some are retired, some work in the private sector, and some in the public sector. While some focus on extension work, others focus on academia and research. From the presentations given at the Banquet, we even realize that some members play golf better than others do. The purpose of the ASABE Texas Section is the purpose we give to it. We strengthen that purpose by our willingness to reach out to others and to come together, by sharing our stories, experiences and knowledge, and by recognizing the talents in one another. It is easy to become very busy with our own professional and personal lives, but the important aspect is that as a member of the ASABE Texas Section, regardless of your status, you are empowered to encourage students, to mentor young engineers and to inspire one another. Nominating a fellow-member for an award, a simple or a short note commenting on a publication or wishing them well in their next milestone in life can make a big difference. I am looking forward to our Annual meeting in October, and I hope to see you there. Your attendance and participation are important; your presence makes the annual meetings meaningful. Susan O Shaughnessy, PhD Chair ASABE Texas Section Treasurer s Report 2

3 2016 Texas Section Award Recipients The Awards Banquet took place at the Annual Meeting in Lubbock, TX. Congratulations to all award recipients! Agricultural Engineer of the Year Timothy Buscha Young Engineer of the Year Prasad Daggupati Special Service Calvin Parnell, Jr. Tim Buscha receives award plaque from Troy Headings, Section Chair Industry Service INTERA, Inc. Superior Service Agricultural Engineering Ezekiel McReynolds Superior Service Agricultural Systems Allison Thomason Allison Thomason receiving her award from Section Chair Ezekiel McReynolds holds his Superior Service Agricultural Engineering Award 3

4 2016 Texas Section Annual Meeting in Pictures Oct 7-9, Lubbock, TX Social Top left: Clyde Munster and Ian Byroth; Top right: a gathering of NRCS colleagues; Bottom: Texas A&M ASABE & AGSM students: from left to right, Dylan Meurer, Conley Chilek, Ian Byroth, Allison Thompson, Nikki Goff, Michaela Goff, and Jared Rivera. 4

5 2016 Texas Section Annual Meeting in Pictures Oct 7-9, Lubbock, TX Technical Sessions Billy Kniffen, Retired Extension Specialist, Texas A&M University, imparts his knowledge on the design of rainwater harvesting systems and uses of rainwater. Dr. Fouad Jaber, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Integrated Water Resources Management, Texas reviews the hydraulic cycle in an urban setting. Dr. Dana Porter, Associate Professor, Extension Program Leader, BAEN, Texas A&M, discusses impacts of the Ogallala Aquifer Program on mutual scientific research and collaboration to sustain agriculture in the Central and Southern High Plains. 5

6 2016 Texas Section Annual Meeting in Pictures Oct 7-9, Lubbock, TX Tours State-of-the-art grape harvester at the Newsom Family Farms in Levelland, TX. Drip irrigated grape vineyards at Newsom Farms. FrostGuard, standalone auto-start gas powered equipment that discharges warm air to help with frost protection. 6

7 2016 Texas Section Annual Meeting in Pictures Oct 7-9, Lubbock, TX Tours Above, members on the tour listen to Steve Newsom, owner of Newsom Family Farms describe critical management practices for viticulture. McPherson Cellars, located in the heart of downtown Lubbock, was converted from the historic Coca Cola bottling plant into a winery in 2008 by Kim McPherson ( Owner Kim McPherson explains the finer points of the wine fermenting process. 7

8 2016 Texas Section Annual Meeting in Pictures Oct 7-9, Lubbock, TX Tours Members enjoying the exhibits at the American Wind Power Center and Museum. Dr. John Wanjura, Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS, explaining the ginning system and displaying the quality of ginned cotton. 8

9 A Graduating Student s Perspective By Allison Ruth Thomason (AGSM, TAMU 2017) My name is Allison Ruth Thomason and I m from Wills Point, Texas. I m studying Agricultural Systems Management as a senior at Texas A&M University. As a senior I find myself thinking about my time here at A&M and if I taken advantage of every opportunity I ve been given. During my time at A&M I ve played the bassoon in the Symphonic Band all four years. The last two years I have served as the Secretary for the Aggie Pullers which is the ASABE ¼ Scale Tractor Pulling team here at A&M. I ve volunteered at the yearly Big Event and my favorite event, the Bio and Ag Engineering Department Centennial. Another organization I am a member of is the AGSM Club where I serve as the historian. This is the professional club for students in my major that enables them to get a better understanding of the job opportunities after they finish their degree. As an officer this year, we are continuing to have guest speakers, but have decided to create more of a family environment. The first general meeting of the school year hosted a domino tournament for students to socialize and get to know each other. During the fall semester a group of members went on an industry tour to Shiner Brewery. At the November general meeting the students had the opportunity to hear from Miss Lauren Hazelrigs, a recent graduate from our major, and learn how she was using the skill set from her AGSM education at her job with the USDA. We capped off the semester with a Holiday Social. The Spring semester started with a survey to determine as an officer team if we were directing the club in the best interest of our members. So far we are excited to have the Texas Cotton Ginners Association at the general meeting in March. Also, a group of students has shown interest to volunteer as a club for the Big Event community volunteer project. We are also planning another industry tour with a raffle as a fundraiser. The officers this year have strived to make the club larger and give more opportunities for the students to be involved. I ve thoroughly enjoyed watching students be a part of something instead of just coming to the meetings out of obligation. Looking back now I don t believe I would change any one experience I have had here at A&M. College is definitely a time to grow as a person and truly find what interest you. I feel very grateful and honored to receive the Superior Service Award from the ASABE Texas Section for doing what I love. This award gives me reassurance and hope that I have done my best as a student leader to better help my fellow classmates be the best they can be and prepare for the future after graduation. 9

10 Membership Congratulations to the following members on their ASABE membership anniversary! Thanks for your years of service. 25 Years 40 Years 65 Years John Mueller John Fisher Victor Hauser Ann Kenimer Walter Vestal Otto Kunze Bruce Lesikar Charles Cromwell Bradley Wieck 60 Years Binayak Mohanty Stephen Boysen 66 Tears Clyde Munster Louis Bouse Merlin Chaplin Randy Clouse Robert Evans Norman Mullin And a special thank you to Gerald Kline who has reached his 73 year anniversary! Scholarship The Cleon Namken Memorial Scholarship was formally established in April Five ASABE Texas Section Members were appointed to a committee to administer the scholarship. The Scholarship application was sent to all members through and is currently posted at: ( If you know of a graduating high school senior, that is planning to attend a public or private university or college in Texas and pursue a degree in engineering with an emphasis in a soil or water related field, please inform them of this opportunity. Applications are due to Greg Sokora, Scholarship Committee Chairman by April 30, SAVE THE DATES: October 4-6, Texas Section Annual Meeting Location: Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Lewisville. A block of rooms has been reserved for October 4-6, A special room rate of $135/night will be available until September 13 or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Reservations may be made through the hotel website: hiltongardeninn.hilton.com or by calling: and request the Group Code: ASABE Texas Section. Golf Tournament: Wednesday October 4, Technical Sessions: Thursday October 5, Professional Development Hours (PDH) including 1-hour of engineering ethics will be available. Technical Tours: Friday October 6, PDH hours will be available for tour stops. Additional meeting information and registration details will be sent out at a later date. 10

11 Texas Section Officers and Contact Information Chair Susan O'Shaughnessy USDA-ARS P.O. Drawer 10 Bushland, TX susan.oshaughnessy.ars.usda.gov Chair-Elect John Hrebik USDA-NRCS 101 South Main St. Temple, TX Past Chair Troy Headings USDA-NRCS 6565 Amarillo Blvd. West Amarillo, TX Secretary/Treasurer Mark Hamann 410 Sea Headrig Dr Cibolo, TX Vice Chair, Programs and Plans Srinivasulu Ale Texas A&M AgriLife Research P.O. Box HWY 70 S Vernon, TX sriniale@ag.tamu.edu Vice Chair, Public Relations Gloria Teague INTERA Incorporated 1812 Centre Creek Drive, Suite 300 Austin, TX teague.gloria@gmail.com Vice Chair, Continuing Education Judith Espinoza Duoline Technologies 250 Bluebird Rd. Gilmer, TX jespinoza@duoline.com Vice Chair, Membership and Registration Sarah Parnell-Molloy Parnell Engineering 9305 Cedar Forest Dr. Austin, TX Molloy_john@att.net Chair, Awards Committee Clyde Munster Texas A&M 2117 TAMU, 333 Spence St. College Station, TX c-munster@tamu.edu Chair, Nominating Committee James Smith USDA-NRCS 801 W. Fairwinds, Suite 1A Hallettsville, TX , Ext. 106 james.smith@tx.usda.gov (Left to right): Mary Hamann, Clyde Munster, Mark Hamann, Sarah Parnell-Molloy, Troy Headings, John Hrebik, Susan O Shaughnessy, Gloria Teague, and Srinivasulu Ale. Not pictured are Judith Espinoza and James Smith. 11