Daily Dunklin Democrat: Local News: Delta Center Field Day (09/03/09)

State and Federal legislators wait for their time to speak as Superintendent Jake Fisher makes his opening remarks. From left, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Vice Chancellor Tom Payne, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, MU President Gary Forsee, Chancellor Brady Deaton, Delta Center Advisory Chairman David Haggard, Board of Curators President Bo Fraser, Curator Judith Haggard, and MO Ag. Director Jon Hagler.

Photos by Scott Seal/SEMO News Service

Legislators and guests celebrate 50 years of service to agriculture

When Field Day is here, it brings out the best of the University of Missouri-Delta Research Center, located on Hwy. T south of Portageville, although the Field Day itself is conducted at Rone Hall on Lee's Farm.

In celebrating "50 Years of Service to Agriculture", it is the Delta Center's 48th Field Day.

Scott Crumpecker, RC & D Coordinator, speaks to area high school students on Nitrogen Management and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The program encourages agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional ones on their operations.

For the past several years, the Field Day has started out with a breakfast with many state and federal legislators invited to see the research first hand and to share what they are dealing with in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C this year was no different.

Superintendent Jake Fisher welcomed everyone and thanked his wife and staff for all their efforts in getting things done to where they are today, a world-renowned agricultural research center. As Bo Fraser, president of the Board of Curators, cited, "The Delta Center is the jewel of the University systems."

Curator Judith Haggard agreed and presented a video of the many different aspects of what the University of Missouri has to offer, not just in education, but in all quality of life issues. Haggard noted that the past year has been a challenging one.

"We have been going through a storm created by the reductions to the university sources of tuition, external research, and state funding. However, the University of Missouri has enjoyed many successes.

"I am proud to say that the University has made a difficult and important step to remain fiscally sound under the leadership of university President Forsee. He acted with several proactive steps last fall with the extension service and to increase its efficiency,' said Haggard.

University President Gary Forsee noted a larger crowd on hand for his second year at the annual Field Day and cited the significance of the research done at the Delta Center.

"Our researchers are not only renowned in the country, but around the world for what we are contributing to many activities including what goes one here.

"Our faculty are pioneers in research. Our work generates million of dollars in federal and private research dollars to help fuel the economy, to help find solutions, and pressing jobs, needs for our state, and to help the welfare of our citizens," said Forsee.

Other speakers throughout the breakfast meeting included Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, and Missouri Dept. Of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler.