From the farm to the fork

The handful of ranching students at Odessa College from as far as Washington state and Australia listened attentively to Mike Lemons as he described the antiquated cowboy lifestyle by putting together a 100-year-old chuck wagon from the historic XIT ranch.

 But his students are used to this kind of classroom environment - Lemons thinks a hands on experience is the best way to learn, and his students think so too.

OC's agriculture department started with just three students back in 1997 when Herbert Graham donated a 120-acre ranch for the advancement of the Odessa College Rodeo Team, and to develop a program for those interested in majoring in agriculture.

Now OC is ropin' ‘em in from as far away as Washington, Canada, Virginia, New Mexico and even Australia to get their hands dirty and start ranchin'.

ROPIN' ‘EM IN

Ashland Rossa, freshman agriculture student, said she came from her ranch in Hillsboro because the program intrigued her more than others.

"Mike's program was different. Most schools don't offer it like this - it's more hands on," Rossa said. 

She said the classes are well-rounded and offer a complete associate's degree.

Kirby Birks, freshman agriculture student, arrived from Australia. Even though her family ranches at home, she wanted the Texas experience.

"Ranching is bigger in Texas," she said.

OC recruited Lemons in 1997 to build the agriculture department from the bottom up. OC already had a rodeo program, but when Herbert Graham donated the Gardendale ranch to the college he requested it be for the development of those wanting to study agriculture as well.

Lemons was the man for the job - not only did he grow up ranching, but he has an agriculture degree from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, and a masters in agriculture education in Sul Ross, and is currently working on a doctorate in management at Colorado Tech University.

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND AT THE RANCH

Lemons would say most of what he learned wasn't from a book or sitting in a classroom, but from roughin' it on a ranch. He feels like the luckiest man in the world getting to pass that knowledge down for a living, and do it on a vast plot of land in Gardendale.

"We grow our own hay, have horses and rear cattle out there," Lemons said of the OC ranch.

Almost every afternoon and evening is spent at the ranch, Lemons said. Mornings are spend in class.  

Sophomore Mike Davis grew up living the cowboy life outdoors, and can't imagine the city life in an office or the typical classroom setting.

"Instead of class I can get on horseback," Davis said.

But don't be fooled, Lemons drills into his students economics, animal science, horticulture, equine science, English riding and even polo (yes, polo).

Lemons said his students need to learn the difficulty and respect from other disciplines that may be foreign to them.

And on any given night students may be in one corner of the ranch bucking broncos, the other corner roping goats or in the ring training a colt. Students that stand by, watch and give critical advice.

"The people make the program," Davis said. Everyone has similar interests and passion for the ranching life, he said. 

Davis said Lemons is more than a teacher - he's a friend. Davis called Lemons last summer for help, and Lemons knew the answer.

"He's good about that," Davis said. Lemons said he keeps his cell phone on him at all times for that reason, and he still gets calls from students that graduated years ago asking for help. He's happy to be on call. 

Lemons even has his students over for the occasional "weenie roast."

‘AGRICULTURE MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND'

Chair of the OC rodeo department Jim Watkins is hanging up his spurs after 40 years of teaching, but he has watched the agriculture department grow into what it is today in a little more than ten years.

"I'm always tickled to see students come into the agriculture department," Watkins said. He said rodeo and agriculture go hand in hand, so its existence is important.

Lemons emphasizes the importance of agriculture because "it feeds the world". And just like everything else, it has become more scientific, Lemons said.

With less resources and more demand, cowboys are required to do more than they did before. Lemons teaches his students "the science side of things" hand in hand with the "practical side of things" so they can face the new demands.

"If the secretary of agriculture sits in the presidents cabinet, then that shows how important agriculture is," he said. "Feed, fiber and alternative fuel."

Lemons said agriculture is the only product that the United States exports more than it imports, so it is important to keep that export strong. 

"Agriculture is from the farm to the fork," Davis said.

TIME TO GO HOME

Lemons is very happy with the equipment the program has, but he said the only thing they are missing is a lighted indoor arena.

But he said that is a good thing.

"If we had one of those, the kids would never go home," Lemons said. The sunset is the only thing that stops the students from working on the ranch.

JOBS IN AGRICULTURE

>> Farm/ Ranch Manager.

>> Feed Mill Operator.

>> Feedlot Manager.

>> Crop Consultant.

>> Extension Agent.

>> Environment Specialist.

>> Livestock Specialist.

>> Livestock Judge.

>> Food Inspector.

>> Market Analyst.