Former Austin Peay State University Ag students honor “Doc” Hunt with endowed scholarship
March 29, 2016
Clarksville, TN – Local farmers call him “Doc,” but don’t let the informal nickname fool you. Whenever they see Dr. Gaines Hunt, retired Austin Peay State University professor of Agriculture, the word “Doc” sounds oddly formal.
“It’s a nickname, yes, but also a term of endearment and used with the highest level of admiration and respect,” Steve Settle, a Montgomery County farmer and former student of Hunt’s, said. “Each and every one of his students—myself included—will attest that we are better people, better leaders and better able to serve our chosen professions because of his influence in our lives.”
The campus of Austin Peay State University. (APSU)
Prized bull brings in $14,500 for APSU Agriculture Department
October 5, 2014
Clarksville, TN – Big John, an 1,800-pound bull, was a source of pride for the Austin Peay State University Department of Agriculture. Students on the department’s beef show team took the animal to several regional shows, where his size and power often impressed the judges.
Last month, the University decided to sell this prize-winning animal, with the hope of earning a few thousand dollars for the growing Department of Agriculture. During a special sale on Sept. 23 at the APSU Farm, three bidders joined together to buy Big John for $14,500.
Mark Barnett, APSU President Alisa White, Dan Askew, Billy Atkins, Lois Bartee, Lucas Haley, Matt Barnett.
Austin Peay State University to Open New Dewald Pavilion at APSU Farm on September 23rd
September 17, 2014
Clarksville, TN – On a mild December afternoon in 2012, a crowd of local farmers, agri-businessmen and dignitaries gathered around an old hay barn to contemplate the future of the Austin Peay State University Department of Agriculture.
Student enrollment in that program had increased an astounding 82 percent in recent years, but some of the facilities at the APSU Farm and Environmental Education Center, known simply as the farm, didn’t reflect this growth.
The Sept. 23 event will begin with a dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by a ribbon cutting at 6:15 p.m. and a special bull auction. The auction will feature the sale of APSU’s finest bull stock, “Big John,” named in memory of John Bartee Sr., former founding member of the APSU agriculture advisory committee. Proceeds from the sale will go to the University farm.
APSU Beef Show Team wins at Dixie National
March 7, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The four members of the Austin Peay State University Beef Cattle Show Team woke up around 2:30am on February 9th and went to work grooming a heifer in the livestock pen.
Since September, they’d spent most of their free time at the APSU Farm and Environmental Education Center, making sure the animal was in tip-top shape, and in a few hours, they hoped all their hard work would pay off.
APSU Beef Cattle Show Team’s heifer was named Senior Calf Champion at the Dixie National Livestock show.
Farm Credit Mid-America presents APSU Department of Agriculture with $50,000 donation
September 27, 2013
Clarksville, TN – When Farm Credit Mid-America set out to invest in the next generation of American farmers, the Kentucky-based lender looked south to Austin Peay State University.
That’s because APSU is home to the fastest growing college department of agriculture in Tennessee, with student enrollment in that program increasing by 75 percent in the last five years.
Farm Credit Mid-America staff members present a $50,000 check to Austin Peay State University. (Beth Liggett – APSU staff)
Fort Campbell’s 5th Special Forces Group and National Guard learn Agriculture techniques at APSU Farm
December 8, 2012
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – The goat, a runt in terms of size, limped around a make-shift pen set up on the grounds of the Austin Peay State University Environmental Education Center, or APSU farm.
His hoof was overgrown and infected, prompting APSU adjunct professor of agriculture Bob Moore to pull out a pair of metal trimmers and clip back the gnarled, black growth as if it were simply a long fingernail.
Bob Moore instructs a group of soldiers on how to care for livestock in Afghanistan. (Photo by Dr. Don Sudbrink/APSU).
Austin Peay State University to break ground on new Animal Science Facility on November 30th
November 20, 2012
Clarksville, TN – In 1961, a group of Austin Peay State College agriculture students built a hay barn at the school’s farm off Pickens Road to house an animal husbandry operation.
At the time, the facility was more than adequate for the small college, but in recent years, the University’s Department of Agriculture has experienced unprecedented growth.
APSU farm
Cattle donation allows APSU Agriculture Department to expand offerings
November 2, 2011
Clarksville, TN – In August of 2010, the Austin Peay State University Department of Agriculture had the unfortunate designation as being both a small and growing program within the University. Its student population had increased by about 20 percent in two years, but the department only had three full-time faculty members.
“We needed an additional faculty member to help us teach the increase in students, but late that summer, I was getting word we might not get a new position,” Dr. Donald Sudbrink, chair of the APSU Department of Agriculture, said. “Then we received this wonderful donation, and so many positive things happened in rapid succession. It was a game changer for us.”
Chad Pugh, with the APSU Department of Agriculture, gives visitors a tour of the University’s Environmental Education Center, or APSU Farm, during last week’s Preserving the Pride Celebration. (Photo by Beth Liggett/APSU Public Relations and Marketing).
Mission Clarksville Students Grow Food at APSU Farm to Help Feed Area’s Hungry
September 8, 2011
Clarksville, TN – On a hot morning in July, a group of local teenagers gathered in a massive garden off Pickens Road to get their hands dirty. They came to pull weeds and water plants, and after several hours in the hot sun, they left with several bushels of fresh vegetables.
“It was great having those kids out here,” Dr. Donald Sudbrink, chair of the Austin Peay State University Department of Agriculture, said. “They were so enthusiastic about learning and working in our APSU Victory garden.”
Mission Clarksville Students pulling weeds the APSU Victory garden.
38th Annual Tennessee Entomological Society Meeting in Nashville next Month
August 19, 2011
Clarksville, TN – A typical ant is only about one-eighth of an inch long and weighs around 3 milligrams. At that size, it should be considered relatively harmless, but most people don’t want the insects inside their houses. Termites and bedbugs might be a little larger, roughly a quarter of an inch in size, but they are equally unpopular as houseguests.
On September 29th and 30th, some of the state’s top scientific minds will take up the topic of pest detection and control methods during the 38th Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Entomological Society (TES). [Read more]
