Purdue Agriculture in Focus

July 2008

Office of Multicultural Programs launches Ag Discovery Camp

The Office of Multicultural Programs in the College of Agriculture is hosting the first Ag Discovery Camp from July 6th through July 18th. In two fun-filled weeks, campers are learning about the many careers and educational opportunities available in agriculture.

A total of 27 high school students have come from as near as Clinton County and as far as New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada to participate in this summer enrichment program, with students from Indianapolis, Illinois, Texas and Georgia in between.

Some of the many activities planned for campers include:

“Careers in Veterinary Medicine” – students will meet with Veterinary Medicine staff and tour the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Forestry and Natural Resources – students will travel to Wright Forestry Center and Martell Forest to learn about forestry and genetics and participate in a fish survey experiment.
Faculty and staff from Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Food Science, and FEELS (Food, Environment, Engineering, and Life Science) Program will give students an overview of their respective programs.
Horticultural and Landscape Architecture – students will meet with faculty and tour the horticultural green house and gardens. They will also learn about graduate students’ research projects and take a field trip to the Meigs Farm.

Other presentations will focus on Agronomy, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Botany and YDAE. Students will also participate in programs and activities with the Latino Cultural Center, Black Cultural Center, Native American Cultural Center and Undergraduate Admissions.

Ag Discovery Camp is not all work and no play, though. Students will participate in field trips to Fair Oaks Farms, Indiana Beach, Indianapolis Indians baseball game, Indianapolis Zoo, and Eiteljorg Museum. After-hours activities will include bowling at the Union, miniature golfing, a field trip to Wolf Park, and fun at Tropicanoe Cove Water Park.

The Ag Discovery Camp finale will take place on Friday, July 18th with a poster presentation and reception. Students will create posters on their experiences while in the Camp and describe what possible agricultural careers they would consider in the future. Reception guests include all Ag Discovery Camp participants (staff and participating College of Ag faculty and staff), parents of the Ag Discovery Camp students, College of Ag deans and department heads, corporate sponsors, and invited guests.

The Ag Discovery Camp is made possible by support from Dow AgroSciences and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), as well as sponsorship from the College of Agriculture, Office of the Provost, Biochemistry Department, and Science Bound.

For more information on Ag Discovery Camp, contact Dr. Pamala Morris (pmorris@purdue.edu) or Felica Ahasteen-Bryant (fahastee@purdue.edu).