Block and Bridle News

Fall 2007 Recap

Virginia Tech Block and Bridle has remained busy at home in Blacksburg, across the state, and halfway across the country this fall promoting the livestock industry.  Our twenty-four pledges have helped provide labor for numerous BBQ events including our major fundraiser, the Virginia State Fair.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Welcome Back Student Picnic

The first major Block and Bridle event of the 2007-2008 academic year was the CALS Welcome Back Picnic hosted at the Ag quad on September 20 by the Dean’s Office.  Designed to help orient new freshmen to the many opportunities offered by the various departments and clubs in the college, this was a successful second year for the event.  Block and Bridle prepared and served baked beans and approximately 400 pounds of chopped pork BBQ to students, faculty, and staff in the college.

Amanda Virts, Emily Murray, and Joe Maloskey serve pork BBQ sandwiches at the CALS welcome back picnic for Block and Bridle.

The 2007 State Fair of Virginia

Block and Bridle traveled to Richmond with our cooker and trailer for the 2007 State Fair of Virginia September 27 through October 8.  Members prepared BBQ pork, beef, and chicken with baked beans and coleslaw for fair attendees as our major fundraiser for the year.  BBQ lamb was also available on the weekends thanks to the culinary talents of Virginia lamb producer Mike Carpenter. 

We want to thank the many individuals who made this event a success, including our State Fair contact Glenn Martin, Smithfield Foods, the Virginia Beef Industry Council, and Block and Bridle alumnus Delbert O’Meara who generously provided us with extra equipment and a storage trailer during our stay in the state capital.

BBQ chair Chris Brown checks the temperature on Block and Bridle’s lamb at State Fair to ensure that meat is ready to be cut for serving.

Block and Bridle pledges Sarah Joseph and Whitney Dodge help prepare baked beans at the Virginia State Fair.

88^th Block and Bridle National Convention

Twelve members and both club advisors, along with out-going National President Dr. Cindy Wood, represented Virginia Tech Block and Bridle at the 88^th National Convention held in Kansas City, MO October 18-21.  The event kicked off Thursday evening with an address from keynote speaker General Richard B. Meyers, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Gen. Meyers’s commentary on leadership was followed by an ice-cream social that allowed the VT delegates to interact with members from other Block and Bridle chapters.

Friday morning began early as club members boarded buses before daylight in preparation for local farm and industry tours.  A few of the many interesting tour stops included Tom Burke’s Suffolk Farm, an American Italian Pasta Company Factory, Lone Star Lake Bison Ranch, the Topeka Zoo, a SYSCO Corporation distribution center, and Palenske Ranch, a family-owned feedlot.  After these experiences, students were dropped off at the American Royal Livestock Show for an evening of PBR bull riding and a post-rodeo concert by Western Underground.

An awards breakfast was held Saturday morning where the club received honors in 6 out of 7 national award categories.  The published annual, website, and club activities all received third place recognitions.  Lucas Spillman was designated as the third place Outstanding Two-year Student. Current club President Kelli Beavers was awarded fourth place Outstanding Junior.  Even more impressive, recent graduate Edward McCann, Jr. was awarded first place Outstanding Senior; congratulations, Ed!

Following the breakfast, attendees were invited to attend lectures on biosecurity in agriculture by Kansas State University veterinarian Jerry Jax and consumer perception of agriculture by consultant Charlie Arnot.  A panel discussion of current animal science issues—including animal welfare, market influences, and consumer perception—took place after these speakers.  VT Block and Bridle members then enjoyed lunch at the famous Golden Ox Steakhouse before returning to the American Royal.  The convention concluded Saturday evening with a dinner and dance at the American Angus Hall of Fame in Smithville, MO.

Block and Bridle members and advisor Dr. Mark Wahlberg pose for a picture after the awards breakfast at the 88^th National Convention.

4^th Grade Days & Agtoberfest

Block and Bridle organized and presented a livestock station to approximately 800 New River Valley elementary school students during the annual 4^th Grade Days program on October 18 and 19 at the Alphin-Stuart Arena.  4-H and other Extension agents from across the New River Valley joined with Virginia Tech faculty, students, and staff to teach these children about the many faces of agriculture in Virginia. 

Working with the Virginia SOL’s, Block and Bridle members taught students about basic livestock management of beef cattle, swine, horses, donkeys, and sheep.  Topics of discussion included terminology, feeds, end products, gestation length, and weaning age for each species.  The students were encouraged to experience the animals, feed samples, and shorn wool samples first hand through sight, touch, and even smell.  

The following day, October 20, over 300 New River Valley community members attended Alpha Zeta’s 3^rd annual Agtoberfest—a celebration of agriculture and natural resources—where Block and Bridle presented the livestock on display.  During this event, members also helped children make magnets designed to teach them about sheep.

Block and Bridle members Chris Brown and Dixie Boyd help fourth graders from the New River Valley elementary schools learn about wool and various animal feeds at the annual Fourth Grade Days event at Virginia Tech’s Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena.

Hokie Harvest Sale

In keeping with tradition, club members donated their time to help students in the Livestock Merchandising class present a complementary BBQ dinner for guests at the 13^th annual Hokie Harvest Sale on October 26.  We served approximately 800 plates of our famous pork sandwiches and sides, and were happy to help our fellow students promote the Virginia Tech beef, swine and equine programs.

Harvest Havoc

Block and Bridle members joined the sisters of Sigma Alpha and the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho at Harvest Havoc on Sunday, October 4 to raise money for Heifer International.  Members enjoyed competing at tug-of-war, pumpkin arranging, hay bale stacking, horseshoes, a relay race, and other fun events in the beautiful fall weather.  The profit from our spring social, Country But Classy, helped us contribute almost $700.00 to this worthy cause.

by Kayla Minnick, 2007-2008 Block and Bridle Reporter

For News from Spring 2007, click HERE