SFA Agriculture Department

🌾✈️ California Study Away 2026 Recap ✈️🌾

What an incredible week exploring the heart of California agriculture! From processing facilities and dairy operations to specialty crops, agribusinesses, and iconic landmarks, our students experienced firsthand the diversity and innovation that drive one of the world’s largest agricultural economies.

Throughout the trip, students toured Frito-Lay, Crystal Creamery, Blue Diamond Almonds, Travaille & Phippen, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Hilmar Cheese Company, and Flory Industries, gaining valuable insight into agricultural processing, manufacturing, and supply chain systems.

Students also explored California’s specialty crop and agritourism industries through visits to an almond farm, vineyards, and local agricultural education programs. Along the way, they learned about water resources, sustainability, engineering, food systems, and the connections that make California agriculture thrive.

The adventure continued beyond the industry tours with unforgettable experiences at Yosemite National Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco’s Ferry Building Marketplace, Chinatown, North Beach, and other iconic California destinations.

Thank you to our faculty, industry partners, and students for making this Study Away experience one to remember. The knowledge gained, connections made, and memories created will last a lifetime!

🚨 LAST CALL! 🚨

Registration for the 2026 Beef Skillathon Camp is almost over! Registration closes on July 10, 2026.

Join us August 6–7 at Stephen F. Austin State University for two days of hands-on learning designed to help you grow your knowledge of the beef industry.

Camp topics include:
✔️ Feeding & Nutrition
✔️ Reproduction
✔️ Forage & Feed Identification
✔️ Herd Health
✔️ And More!

🏆 Camp concludes with a Beef Skillathon Contest where participants can compete for awards, buckles, and a $1,000 scholarship opportunity for senior division winners!

📍 Todd Agricultural Research Center – Beef Center
💲 $200 Registration Fee (includes meals, apparel, and study materials)
⏰ Registration closes July 10. Once registration closes, that's it!

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn, compete, and connect with others who share your passion for the beef industry.

👉 Register today before it's too late! Scan the QR code or visit gosfa.com/beefskillathon2026 to register today!

✨Faculty Spotlight ✨

We would like to introduce you to Erin Brown, Professor of Animal Science at Stephen F. Austin State University!

Dr. Brown has been teaching and serving in higher education for 20 years, bringing a strong background in beef cattle nutrition, mammary physiology, and calf nutrition. She earned her B.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from Texas A&M University, with an emphasis in beef cattle nutrition, and her M.S. from Michigan State University, focusing on mammary physiology and calf nutrition.
At SFA, she teaches courses in beef cattle nutrition, feeds and formulation, growth and stress physiology, graduate nutrition, and forages. Her passion for agriculture began with a desire to share knowledge, support producers, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the industry.
One of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing students experience the “aha” moment in the classroom—when concepts finally click and curiosity begins to grow. She loves watching students enter with little interest in nutrition and leave with a true appreciation for the subject.
Her advice to students: “Dream big. Take every opportunity to experience the world. Don’t look back and wish you would have.”
Dr. Brown is especially passionate about animal nutrition and current research focused on reducing heat stress in cattle grazing silvopastures, evaluating garlic supplementation to reduce fly populations and improve performance, and assessing hay quality in East Texas.

🚨 AG SWAG IS COMING IN HOT! 🚨
The online store is officially OPEN! Grab your SFA Ag swag before it closes on August 9th at 11:59 PM ⏰

🔗 https://spiritoutfitters.printavo.com/merch/sfa-ag-summer-2026-showroom/?page=1
🛍️ ETA for swag: August 24th
📦 Shipping available
📍 Local pickup from the SFA Ag Department is also available!

Don’t miss your chance to rep SFA Ag in style 💜🌲

We can’t wait to welcome our future Lumberjacks this fall! A new chapter is just beginning, and we’re so excited to be a part of that journey with you! 💜🌳

Be sure to send in your decision pics so we can celebrate YOU and officially welcome you into our Ag family!

✨DONOR SPOTLIGHT ✨

Congratulations to Weldon “Buddy” Alders on being named the 2026 Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus! A proud 1958 SFA agriculture graduate, Mr. Alders has dedicated his career to the agriculture industry while continuing to invest in the future of SFA students. By opening his facilities for educational tours, supporting research initiatives, donating equipment to the Beef Center, and giving back to the Department of Agriculture, he continues to shape the next generation of Lumberjacks.

“Mr. Alders represents SFA with pride, determination, and integrity, and is always willing to support opportunities for our students, staff, and faculty.” — Dr. Douglas Smith

Thank you, Mr. Alders, for your continued support and commitment to SFA Agriculture!

We want to give a HUGE congratulations to these five individuals on receiving a scholarship at the Area 9 Convention! 🎉 We are beyond proud of these future Lumberjacks and cannot wait to see all they accomplish at SFA! 🪓💜

✨Faculty Spotlight ✨

We would like to introduce you to Suhina Deol, Assistant Professor of Agribusiness!

From growing up in small rural Midwestern towns to becoming an Assistant Professor, her journey in agriculture has been inspired by both family and a passion for helping producers succeed. After earning her doctoral degree in Economics with concentrations in Econometrics and Agriculture from Washington State University, she continued pursuing research and teaching opportunities at Oklahoma State University.

Her passion for agriculture began by seeing the frustrations farmers faced with limited resources and agricultural laws, inspiring her to make a difference through education and research. She also credits her grandparents (Gian and Darshan Uppal), both teachers and lifelong role models, for inspiring her to pursue a PhD.

One of her favorite parts of teaching is witnessing the “lightbulb click” moments in the classroom and hearing about students’ successes after graduation. Her advice to students: "Set a goal, work hard, stay persistent, and you will achieve it."

She is especially passionate about agricultural water use, water policy, and natural resource management. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to sustainable solutions that strengthen agriculture while supporting both communities and natural resources.

🌟 Student Teacher Spotlight 🌟

Meet Kloe Stokes from Garrison, who student taught at Rusk this past semester!

For Kloe, agriculture has always been more than an industry — it’s been a way of life. Growing up in agriculture shaped who she is today and inspired her passion for becoming an agricultural educator. Through agriculture classes and FFA, she found confidence, leadership, and purpose, and now she hopes to give those same opportunities back to her future students.

One of her favorite memories during student teaching has been helping restart Rusk’s entomology team for the first time in several years. Watching her students work hard all season and advance to state after placing 2nd at the area contest became a moment, she says, she’ll never forget.

Kloe shared that Dr. Scallan has been one of her most influential professors, encouraging her to step outside of her comfort zone while supporting her every step of the way.

After graduation, Kloe plans to pursue her master’s degree in agriculture before beginning her career as an agriculture teacher, where she hopes to create a classroom that helps students grow, discover their passions, and gain real-world skills through agriculture.

We are proud to see students like Kloe making an impact in agricultural education and preparing to lead the next generation!

Beef Stockmanship Contest Results

We want to give a huge congratulations to the top three teams who earned Grand, Reserve, and Third Place at our contest held earlier this month! This contest helps educate and empower Texas youth with the skills and knowledge essential for success in the beef industry.

🥇 Grand Champion Team — BKM Ranch
Team members: Brance Dial, Kason Harris, and Malley Ecord

🥈 Reserve Champion Team — Chute Happens Cattle Co.
Team members: Aubrey Lockhart, Jarrett Worrell, and Haidan Lee

🥉 Third Place Team — Chireno FFA
Team members: Ben Reitan, Karmen Watts, and Nataly Kolb

We are proud of all the competitors who participated and showcased their hard work, dedication, and passion for the beef industry!