2004/2005 Abstract
Michigan State University

We started the year off with the Northern Exposure Lamb Show on June 20, 2004, which brought in 167 head of lambs.

When classes began in the fall, The Block and Bridle Club held a cookout after our first meeting to help new and returning members become acquainted.  Later in the semester, we held an informal initiation, which involved a pickle spitting contest, several relay races, and bobbing for apples and other items.  At the following meeting, members were formally initiated.

On October 5, we sponsored a visit from Trent Loos, an animal agriculture activist.  Club members were able to eat lunch with him and discuss current issues in a personal atmosphere.  Mr. Loos gave a lecture to a larger group of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty later that evening.

Some of the other activities in the fall semester included tailgating before the Homecoming game, participating in (and winning) and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Olympics, interacting with Alumni at AutumnFest, and collaborating with the Michigan Junior Livestock Society to put on the Michigan Winter Beef Classic.

The Block and Bridle Club started the spring semester by sending 15 members to the National Convention in Denver, Colorado.  Our website placed first, and our Treasurer, Emily Hogberg, was runner-up in the Outstanding Junior competition.  We had a great time, and can’t wait until next year’s convention in Columbus, Ohio.

At the beginning of February, we held our annual Little International show, where students are assigned animals to work with for a week and compete with in a showmanship competition.  Dan Kiesling was the overall winner of this year’s show.  We also had a ham curing contest and auctioned off the hams.

We were quite busy this spring.  The club held our annual Recognition Banquet.  We also participated in several service projects: we visited St. Vincent’s home, a short-term facility for children who are unable to live in a home environment, and we also took an exhibit to Project RED (Rural Education Day) for inner city children.  We held a livestock judging competition for local children which focused on education.  Also, the Block and Bridle Club organized the Michigan Beef Expo Junior Show.

To finish up the year, we planned the Spring Picnic, where students from across the Department of Animal Science were recognized.

We had a great year, and we’re excited to continue our great activities and traditions into next year and beyond.

2004-2005 Executive Council

President:  Megan Townsend
Vice President:  Allison Meyer
2nd Vice President:  Elyse Fink
Secretary:  Krissa Thom
Treasurer:  Emily Hogberg
Treasurer-Elect:  Virginia Riggs
Marshall:  Ryan Varner
Student Senate:  Nicole Dingman
Public Relations:  Jessica Scrimger
Advisors:  Dr. Gretchen Hill/Dr. Dale Rozeboom

2005-2006 Executive Council

President:  Jessica Scrimger
Vice President:  Ryan Varner
Secretary:  Alyssa Reniger
Treasurer:  Virginia Riggs
Treasurer-Elect:  Kylie Verhelle
Marshall:  Beth Blauwiekel
Student Senate:  Monica VanKlompenberg
Public Relations:  Stephanie Willmarth
Advisors:  Dr. Dale Rozeboom/ Dr. Michael Orth

Chapter Abstracts