BLINN STUDENTS VOLUNTEER OVER 1,100 HOURS AT WASHINGTON CO. FAIR

  

The Blinn College Agricultural Science Club dedicated more than 1,100 hours to helping the 148th Washington County Fair entertain thousands of attendees.

More than 100 students combined to provide support for the Special Needs Livestock Judging Competition, the 4-H and Future Farmers of American (FFA) livestock and dairy judging contest, open Steer and Heifer show, and the open Brahman show.

At least 80 Blinn students have volunteered at Washington County Fair each of the past nine years.

Bryn Behnke, the Assistant Dean for the Division of Agricultural & Natural Sciences, says they always prioritize getting students outside of the classroom to experience the agricultural industry from a practical standpoint.

The 4-H/FFA dairy judging contest at Washington County Fair remains one of the largest in the state, attracting more than 1,100 participants each year.

During the 2015-16 school year, Blinn’s Ag Science Club totaled 5,500 hours of community service. The club partnered with the 4-H, FFA, Coastal Conservation Association of Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and the Texas Extension Service.

All 20 students enrolled in Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program volunteered at the fair as well. With the supervision of Program Director David Sessum and Dr. Amanda Kieffer, Instructor, the students collected urine samples for commercial heifers, turkeys, commercial pen heifers, colts, lambs, goats, steer, commercial halter heifers, and carcass hog shows.

Blinn’s Agricultural Sciences Program offers course seating for approximately 1,100 students, making it roughly four times the size of any other two-year agricultural program in the state. Blinn offers agricultural science classes on all of its campuses, with the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex in Brenham serving as the program’s hub.