September 3, 2003
AMES, Iowa — The first student-managed farm in the nation will celebrate its 60th anniversary with an open house during the Iowa State University's Family Weekend on Oct. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m., with a brief program at 2 p.m.
Larry Trede, professor-in-charge of the AG450 Farm, said displays at the celebration will illustrate changes that have occurred since the farm began in 1943. The AG450 farm is an educational laboratory operated under the agricultural education and studies department.
"It's a real-life experience in terms of managing a farm," Trede said. "Students work in committees to propose solutions to decisions affecting the management and operation of the farm."
The AG450 farm name comes from the AGEDS 450 class students take to participate in the management of the farm. The farm has grown from 187 acres to more than 1,200 acres of land, planted mainly in corn and soybeans. The land is both owned by the farm and rented from landowners. The students also manage 160 sows in a farrow-to-finish swine operation.
The classroom lectures and discussions emphasize the application of production, risk management and finance skills learned in other courses. Approximately 100 seniors enroll in the course each year.
Greg Vogel, farm manager, advises students on management decisions. He said the farm also serves as a laboratory for other ISU classes. "Many international visitors, FFA students and 4-H members visit the farm each year," Vogel said.
The farm was founded by William Murray to give students an opportunity to learn farm management skills through hands-on experience. Murray began as a professor at Iowa State University in 1927, served as head of the department of economics from 1944 to 1955 and was one of the founders of Living History Farms in Des Moines.
If you plan to attend the open house, contact Jean Bessman, 294-6924, jmbessm@iastate.edu. For more information go to http://www.ag450farm.iastate.edu. To get to the farm from Jack Trice Stadium, go south on Elwood Drive approximately two miles, take the first right after the road turns to gravel and go west on 260th Street about three-fourths of a mile. It's the only farm on the north side. The address for the farm is 52097 260th St.