Illinois State University Agriculture Science Club.

The primary goal of the Illinois State University Agricultural Science Club (ASC) is to engage and educate the local community about agriculture through student driven outreach programs. The club has designed and participated in numerous activities to promote agriculture awareness to various audiences in our local community. Examples include Ag/ Where is the food without the farmer (WTF) Day on the quad, pumpkin farm tours, and worked with local producers through the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA).  In the Spring of 2016, club members designed an educational Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) poster that was presented on the quad for Ag Day and WTF Day. Club members taught 175 university students and faculty members about GMOs and how they have a positive impact in our society. Over the summer the ASC secured a competitive grant that allowed four club members to design and facilitate the annual ISA Yield Challenge.  The ASC was responsible for analyzing trends of yield increases in the control and test plots of 100 Illinois soybean farmers.  The final report from the ISA Yield Challenge was presented at the annual ISA Summit to educate Illinois farmers of yield enhancing soybean management practices.  Finally, we reached out to the community by visiting a local pumpkin producer and hosted tours on the seven-acre farm. Club members educated families about proper fertilizer management practices to maximize pumpkins growth, as well as, different soil horizons, conservation practices, and how water infiltration can affect pumpkin development. The ASC members have been active at university, public events, and with producers to create a positive transfer of agriculture concepts in our local community. Through our outreach approximately 3,100 individuals have been positively impacted. The outreach experience has equipped ASC members with the skills to promote and improve agriculture awareness in the Midwest and across the nation.