2003/2004 Abstract
Oklahoma State University

The Oklahoma State University Block and Bridle is a club that strives to promote animal agriculture both on and off campus, all the while forming lifelong friendships and honing the professional skills of its members. OSU B&B is the largest club within the largest department at OSU. New activities and traditions are being started every year, and those of old just keep on getting bigger.

During the summer months, B&B members in town, set up a booth at various  4-H and FFA events selling “OSU Animal Science” hats, visors, and T-shirts.  Events include the OSU Animal Science Field Days, the OSU Horse Judging Camp and the OSU Livestock Judging Camps.  Members not only set up the booth, they also assist with the daily activities.

Once members returned to school, the official meetings began.  The pool party/first meeting was held at the local Elks lodge.  Potential members and current members in attendance enjoyed a cookout and a short informative meeting. Also in August the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources host an Ag. Roundup night for incoming freshman where all college clubs are present.  At the Ag. Roundup, the officer team set up a display booth about our activities.

The Smoker (traditional initiation of new members) was held in September.  Members enjoyed a pot-luck dinner, barbeque, a bonfire, and, of course, paddle branding. All 27 of the new members were initiated on this night.  Throughout the whole school year, the club sells Summer Sausage. The project started at the end of September.  Everything from step one is made by club members.  The final product is then sold at Cowboy Meats, to local stores, or to numerous individuals.  The project is one best money makers for the club. 

Every year at the end of October members assist Stillwater's Skyline Elementary PTA with their basket auction and PTA supper. Students help with the auction, serve and prepared a Mexican style meal. The money raised at the auction benefits each class that donates a basket.  During homecoming weekend members along with the OSU Animal Science Alumni Association started selling Oklahoma State rugs. Students from Block & Bridle sell them for the Animal Science alumni before football games, with part of the proceeds going directly to the club.

In November OSU B&B hosts a livestock clinic for 4-H and FFA members from all around Oklahoma. Members work one-on-one to pass on their knowledge to these youth in the areas of cattle, sheep, swine, and horses.  Over 200 4-H members were present at the clinic.

The first week of December members spent their time shopping for an Angel Tree family. In the spirit of Christmas, B&B allots a given sum of money, dependant on family size, to adopt a family via the Angel Tree. Every year, at least one Stillwater area family is adopted. To bring the year to a close we gathered for the annual Christmas party.  Gifts were exchanged; members relished in the deep fried turkey and all the sweet homemade Christmas desserts. 

One of the largest activities of the year was the first annual OSU Block & Bridle Bonanza which was held January 18^th.  This was a one day market lamb and market hog show.  200 plus lambs were exhibited along with 124 hogs. The Bonanza turned out to be a huge success and the beginning of a new OSU Block & Bridle tradition. 

In February B&B members volunteered to be group leaders for the Regional Animal Science Quadrathalon.  Members also served the meal provided. 30% of our total membership attended the 2004 National Convention in San Antonio, Texas.  We toured the King Ranch, attended the San Antonio Stock Show, and listened to some outstanding speakers. 

Members made homemade cookies and brought in candy to make appreciation bags for all animal science students during Ag. Week, the last week of March.  Members passed out the bags in between classes in the Animal Science building.  Inside each bag was a B&B business card with meeting times, thus reminding people about the club and letting them know they could still join. 

The first weekend of April each year is OSU’s big Animal Science weekend.  To kick off the weekend, a B&B member hosted the spring extravaganza cookout. On Saturday members helped with the Old Timer’s Judging Contest and set up a booth to sell OSU Animal Science Hats, Visors, Pot Holders, and T-Shirts.  Gathering items, making bags and shipping them to the service men and women fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom was the community service activity for April.  Travel items such as toothpaste, tissues, lip balm, lotion, etc. were the items placed in the bags.   

For our end of the year meeting, the club gathered at the Hideaway, for some tremendous pizza.  The yearly Block & Bridle scholarships were awarded to 5 club members for their involvement and service to the club. Each recipient received $100.  The highlight of the event was honoring one of our club advisors as this years Honorary Member.   

To conclude for the year our total members came to 65, with 27 of them being new initiates.  This year ranks among the most productive in recent years.  New challenges were accomplished, new goals were set, and most of all new friends were met.   

Officers:

Outgoing President: Lori Peck
Incoming President: Lindsay Coffman

Outgoing Vice-President: Chris Raines
Incoming Vice-President: Sara Damron

Outgoing Secretary: KC Keffer
Incoming Secretary: Ashley Marquart

Outgoing Treasurer: Megan McMichael
Incoming Treasurer: Aimee Rueber

Outgoing Ag. Council Representatives: Lindsay Coffman, Megan Pfeffier
Incoming Ag. Council Representatives: Chelsea Farris, Ashley Sutterfield

2003-2004 Committee Chairs

Bonanza Committee Chair: Sara Damron, Megan McMichael
Summer Sausage Chair: Beryl Henry
Little “I”: Cory Blaser, Stephen Edwards
Livestock Workshop and Troop Bags Chair: Lindsay Coffman

Advisors:

Linda Guenther
Dr. Scott Carter
Incoming Graduate Student Advisor: Megan McMichael

Chapter Abstracts