FSCC ag department takes time to inform community about program

The Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Department hosted local community members during a dinner on Sept. 27.

The evening provided an opportunity for the department's four instructors: Ryan Edgecomb, meats judging coach, James Thompson, livestock judging coach, Rachel Martin, horse judging coach, and Chad Cross, rodeo coach, to inform community members about the success and future direction of the FSCC Agricultural Department, an FSCC statement said.

The instructors are excited about the 2009-10 school year at FSCC and are pleased to be on track for record-breaking enrollment numbers, the statement said.

Edgecomb informed the group about the recent success of former students in the Agricultural Department at FSCC. Lacy Heddlesten is currently the agricultural marketing specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture. Jacques LaRue received a Fulbright Scholarship, and Rachel Shaw is currently an agricultural marketing intern with the USDA.

Martin has a full competitive season scheduled for this year. The horse judging team will compete this fall at five contests and three more in the spring. This school year also marks the first time the team will take a full team to a world competition, the FSCC statement said.

Cross spoke about the strong ties his teams have with the community, what a positive impact the spring rodeo has on the community, and how many former rodeo students have moved to Fort Scott to live.

Thompson thanked local resident Larry Martin, who has allowed the FSCC Aggies to use the show barn. The facility is used by many FSCC agricultural students. The livestock judging team travels to about 10-11 contests this fall and will compete in about seven events this spring.

"The Agricultural Department is a tremendous asset to Fort Scott Community College," the FSCC statement said. "These programs have a successful past and are actively pursuing new projects to keep their momentum going."