The semester is quickly coming to an end. It seems like just yesterday I was getting back from Wyoming after a fun summer working on a vacation ranch nestled in the quiet hills just outside of Jackson Hole, WY. We had a good time I’ll never forget. We made friends, made a little cash, broke horses, broke trails and well, broke one of my buddies arm. Good memories were made underneath that Wyoming sun.
Now at home on the frontlines, life continues on. It has been busy the last couple of months with so much to do and think about. College of Ag month was a ball! The Utah Agricultural Products Barbecue (Ag BBQ) couldn’t have been much better than the beef shish-ka-bobs being sold on the northeast corner of the Aggie practice field that day. The only thing that could have topped it off was a win for the Aggies over a Colorado State team that overcame us in overtime. Although victory hopes were shattered after a failed two-point conversion try by the Aggies, anyone who was at the Ag BBQ went home with a satisfied belly.
Of late, one of the things that has been on the agenda has been visiting various high schools around the state to let juniors and seniors know of the many possibilities located in the College of Agriculture. It has been an eye-opening experience that has reminded me of why I came to Utah State in the first place, especially why I came to the College of Ag!
I was born and raised on a 200-acre farm in Flowell, Utah. My father’s business began to grow like a wild fire when I was 10 years old. Since that time I have practically lived in a swather, cutting anything from small grains to hay to some sedan grass here and there. Sure enough my dad’s custom harvesting business has become one of the biggest operations this side of the Rocky Mountains. We travel to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California and Colorado to chop feed. Because of my love for agriculture and the memories it had given me, I knew my home had to be somewhere in the College of Agriculture. Most people understand that Utah State is the only place to be if agriculture is your love. I received a small scholarship, which helped aid my decision.I haven’t looked back and I continue to look forward to the great days ahead.
The last semester has been a growing phase in which I have learned that agriculture is much more than just farming and ranching. Agriculture encompasses so many things that we don’t have the time or the space to talk about them here. It is amazing to me how many opportunities are offered in the College of Ag. If students only knew of the scholarship money, the faculty, the respect for one another and the love for learning to serve those around us, this would be the only college on campus. Agriculture is the backbone of USU. Although there may be many different bones in the spine representing the different departments, we all work together as one to better our community and ourselves. We love to serve others and that’s why we are here. We are used by anyone with an appetite and a need for nourishment. We go unnoticed by most and aren’t the ones in the headlines. Our egos are small but our hearts are big. We love the land and our neighbors. Our word means more than our signature, and a handshake is more binding than cast-iron shackles. We love what we do and we love the College of Agriculture. Yes, that’s why I am here. I love this way of life and wouldn’t have it any other way.
-- Kyle Tuttle, Ag Ambassador
