April 23 event to offer old-time fun, education and fellowship
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. John Walker, 325-653-4576, jwalker@ag.tamu.edu
SONORA – Barring catastrophic flooding or some other major event, the April 23 centennial celebration of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station at Sonora will continue as planned coordinators said.
“I suspect a good rain even the day of the event will bring nothing but smiles from this West Texas ranching-based audience,” said Dr. John Walker, Texas A&M AgriLife Research resident director at San Angelo and a celebration coordinator.
“We decided not to put many specific times on the agenda so we could stay somewhat flexible,” he said. “Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., the program starts at 9:30 a.m. and lunch is at noon, followed by the auction of 10 of our Super Juniper Eating Goat billies and the old research station sign beginning at 1 p.m.
“The sale, whose receipts will mark the official start of a special endowment to help fund the station, will be followed by a full slate of afternoon events. The evening meal will start at 6 p.m. and the dance will start between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.”
Walker said all the activities are free and open to the public including the dance, and noon and evening meals. No fees will be charged, but onsite free-will donations will be appreciated to help defray the meals costs.
“We have well over 300 preregistered, and though our preregistration deadline has passed, we urge any supporters of the Sonora station who’d like to join us to call 325-657-7333 or go to http://sonora.tamu.edu/100-years-of-sonora/ to register so we can get accurate meal counts.”
Walker said some of the other activities planned will include lamb cooking demonstrations, a ranchers’ panel, tours of the station, wool and grass judging contests, and other educational and social activities throughout the day. He said some of those who have worked, studied or conducted research on the ranch will be featured speakers during the day.
Those will include:
– Dr. Mort Kothmann, ecosystem science and management professor at Texas A&M University, College Station.
– Dr. Fred Smeins, ecosystem science and management visiting professor, Texas A&M, College Station.
– Dr. Sam Fuhlendorf, natural resource ecology and management regents professor, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
– Dr. William Edmiston, D.V.M., Eldorado.
Walker said special guests will include Congressman Will Hurd, who is scheduled to recognize the Sonora station’s century of service, as well as Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and Dr. Mark Hussey, vice-chancellor and dean of agriculture for the Texas A&M University System. Also scheduled is a special recognition of the years of service Dr. Charles “Butch” Taylor has devoted to the ranching industry and to the station as its longtime superintendent. Taylor has held the post for 32 years.
“The station was made possible by ranchers and it has always been here to serve ranchers, so our aim is to hearken back to the days when people came and stayed for the fun and education provided, and to meet old friends and new ones.”
Walker said the station was founded in 1916 at the request of area ranchers and the then newly formed Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association to address animal diseases. That charge has broadened over the years as needs changed to now include work with prescribed fire and other facets related to range management.
“Our main goal for having this celebration, which has been a true labor of love among its organizers that includes agency and ranch folks, is for everybody to come out and help celebrate this historic event. After all, this is your station, which continues after 100 years in its role to serve you, the ranchers of West Texas,” Walker said.
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