Agricultural Farm & Ranch Management

Agricultural General Information

1. History of the Kilgore College Agricultural Demonstration Farm
2. Educational Affiliates
3. Kilgore College Agricultural Scholarships
4. The Kilgore College Agricultural Farm
5. Purebred Angus Donation Program
6. Kilgore College Bull Test Evaluation Center
7. Kilgore College Agriculture Club
8. ACT Universities and links

History of the Kilgore College Agricultural Demonstration Farm

Scientific agriculture officially became a part of the Kilgore College curriculum with a historic agreement signed by the College and Bruce McMillan, Jr. Foundation of Overton on November 6, 1963.

The pact, which took 11 months from the initial inquiry to lease fruition, provided for a "demonstration farm or farms to be located in Rusk County for the purposes of teaching and demonstrating modern and scientific methods of farming to farmers and others without charge, and to maintain and operate such demonstration farms without a view of profit but for the purpose of applying its income over and above amounts sufficient to maintain and operate such demonstration farms for use of other institutions of public charity."

In a letter dated December 14, 1962, KC President Dr. Cruce Stark approached the foundation about a partnership between the two which would foster a strong agriculture program for people in the Kilgore and East Texas area.

A meeting was held at the First State Bank of Overton on February 14, 1963, to explore the proposed agriculture project for Kilgore College.  Participating were members of the foundation (Ralph Ward Sr., John L. Pope, Donald B. Leverett), KC Board of Trustees (Dr. George Knautch, A. G. Morton, Sr., Herb Knauth), and KC Administration (Dr. Cruce Stark, Dean Randolph Watson, Business Manager Austin Kay).

A delegation from Kilgore College (Dr. Stark, Dean Watson, Trustee Board President Donald Leverett -- also a McMillan Foundation trustee) and the Foundation (Managing Trustee Ralph Ward, Sr.) met with A&M officials in College Station to discuss the project with Gen. Earl Rudder, President of Texas A&M College; Dr. R. E. Paterson, Dean of the Agricultural School; Dr. G. M. Watkins, Director of Agricultural Instruction; Dr. R. D. Lewis, Director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station; and Dr. John Hutchinson, Director of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.

It was decided at the meeting that the KC project should serve three main purposes.  It would afford direct information to farmers and ranchers in the area; it would provide a laboratory for KC students studying or majoring in agriculture; and would allow the College to offer terminal courses in agriculture.

The Board of Trustees of the Bruce McMillan, Jr. Foundation voted unanimously on July 27, 1963, to proceed with the KC Agricultural Project with a grant package to (1) lease 448 acres at no cost for 25 years with a 25-year option; (2) transfer 15 cows from the existing herd and various farm equipment; and (3) financially commit a grant of $75,000 (which later grew to $90,000) for teaching facilities and instructor's residence and miscellaneous farm buildings on the premises.

Wayne Lacy, a native of Wellington in the Texas Panhandle, moved to Overton in August 1963, in preparation to become Kilgore College's first agriculture instructor and farm manager that fall.  Lacy earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural education from A&M and had taught vocational agriculture at A&M Consolidated High School in College Station for two years.

Lacy encountered the difficult task of beginning an agricultural program from ground zero, transforming it over a 17-year period into one of the nation's most revered community college agricultural programs.

Lacy is credited with beginning every program currently maintained on the farm with the exception of the sheep which was initiated by his successor, Jeff Grote.  Included in the innovations are the famed Bull Evaluation Center Lacy originated, which is the only such test center between Dallas and Shreveport, Paris and College Station.

Jeff Grote, a Mason, Texas native, replaced Lacy in 1980.  Grote, too, was a two-time A&M graduate who brought sheep to KC and worked, as did Lacy, to promote KC Agriculture Club activities at the State level.  Grote resigned in 1992 to become a high school counselor at Mason High School, his home town.  The amiable Grote had served as Chairman of the Rusk County Youth Project Show and was well known in the area for his support of different types of youth activities.

Robert G. Young replaced Grote in 1992.  A former fertilizer business owner and vocational agriculture teacher, Young brought an enriched marketing/agribusiness emphasis to the position.  During his tenure, Young has added alfalfa, millet, and hybrid Sudan research plots to the agronomic repertoire of the College Farm.  He made the important decision to bring purebred Angus cattle to the farm to upgrade the herd for educational study and promote quality animals for the KC Livestock Show Team, which he also initiated.  His daughters, Christie and Kara, brought the first goats to the farm through their donation of 4-H and FFA projects.  Through his strong support, the KC Agriculture Club has been voted the "Outstanding Chapter in Texas" nine of the past twelve years by the Texas Junior College Agriculture Association (TJCAA).  Young has been State TJCAA Advisor eight of the past twelve years by virtue of having a Kilgore College student elected president of the statewide organization.

The direction of the KC Agricultural and Environmental Science Center took a slightly different twist in 1965 upon creation of the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center north of Overton, also on Foundation property.  With its establishment, the KC Farm no longer had as its primary mission to be a research or demonstration farm, although various scientific educational projects are ongoing continuously for the benefit of students.

KC President Dr. William Holda, in 1997, upon a suggestion by the KC Agricultural and Environmental Science Advisory Committee, requested Texas A&M University to make a detailed evaluation of the college's agriculture program.  Since nearly four decades had elapsed since creation of the KC agriculture program, Holda and the Advisory Committee wanted an objective evaluation of its progress and direction.

The visiting team from A&M made some pertinent suggestions, most of which have been adopted.  Among the proposals was altering the department's name to "Kilgore College Agricultural and Environmental Science Department" which reflects a more current use of modern-day agriculture.  The Team encouraged KC to develop "2+2Partnerships" with senior colleges to help ease or eliminate course transfer problems.  KC is in the process of completing the lengthy procedure of transfer partnerships. 

Educational Affiliations

Kilgore College maintains an excellent data-sharing relationship with the nearby Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton.  A&M faculty members, some of whom serve on the Advisory Committee for this program, bring current technological breakthroughs right into the KC classroom.  KC also hosts A&M research projects at the Farm so students can observe scientific progress as it occurs.

KC is an active member of the Agricultural Consortium of Texas (ACT), an organization of all senior and community colleges that teach agriculture in the state which meet regularly to address common educational and academic situations related to agricultural instruction.

KC is also a leading member of the Texas Junior College Agricultural Association (TJCAA), an organization which offers community college students competitive leadership opportunities.

KC is a member of the American Angus Association and Texas Angus Association.  Through these organizations, the College Farm has been a recipient of generous animal donations while building a quality herd for scientific and educational purposes.

KC proudly maintains its membership in the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and National Cattleman's Beef Association

Kilgore College Agricultural Scholarships

The Agricultural and Environmental Science Department offers various scholarships which are awarded in the spring.  Applications are available from Mr. Bob Young.  Completed applications should be returned to him no later than March 31. 


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Leon Gibson FFA Scholarship

Established by Mrs. Leon Gibson and friends of Leon Gibson in the community.  Mr. Gibson's support and encouragement played a major role in the development of the Kilgore High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.  The scholarship award is restricted to a Kilgore High School graduate who has been an active member of FFA and who will be attending Kilgore College.  For further information, contact the Senior Counselor at Kilgore High School or the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Kilgore College.

William E. Gipson Agriculture Scholarship

Through a generous endowment by distinguished alumnus William E. Gipson and Pogo Drilling Company, a semester's full tuition scholarship has been established for an incoming freshman majoring in agriculture or an agriculture-related field.  Based on character and scholastic aptitude.  Selected by the faculty.  Application deadline is April 1.

McMillan-Leverett Agricultural Scholarship

Named in memory of two close colleagues, physician Dr. Bruce McMillan and financier Donald B. Leverett.  Both individuals served on the Board of Trustees of Kilgore College and the Bruce McMillan, Jr. Foundation of Overton.  Both men were strong proponents of higher education in general and agricultural science in particular.  Funds are provided by the Bruce McMillan, Jr. Foundation, Inc.; selection of students and fund determination are conducted by Kilgore College.  Priority is given to recent qualified graduates from high schools in Rusk County and the Kilgore College District.

An application form for the McMillan-Leverett Agricultural Scholarship is available online.

Peter James McNee, Sr. Scholarship

Established in 1996 in honor of Mr. McNee by his grandson.  Mr. McNee was a successful rancher and oilman from Rusk County who had an abiding interest in education and the young people of East Texas.  Recipients of the scholarship are determined by faculty recommendation, and are processed through the Kilgore College Foundation.

Sam Ross FFA Scholarship

Established in 1991 in honor of Mr. Sam Ross.  Mr. Ross had a great interest in students involved in farming and ranching activities.  The scholarship shall be awarded to Kilgore High School graduating seniors who are members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and will enroll in Kilgore College upon graduation from Kilgore High School.  Recipients of the award are selected by a scholarship committee.  Information may be obtained from the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Kilgore College Presidential Scholarship
One of the most prestigious academic scholarships offered by Kilgore College for all majors.  Recipients must attain a minimum 1000 SAT or 25 ACT and graduate in the top 10% of their class with a 92 or better average.  Must meet three of the four criteria.  Applications are sent to high school counselors in KC Service Area comprising about 25 school districts.  Students can also apply through the KC Financial Aid Office.  Covers tuition, registration fees, and use of books.

Jamie Rae Sterling Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was formerly known as the Kilgore College Agriculture Club Scholarship but in 1996 was renamed in memory of Jamie Rae Sterling.  Jamie was tragically killed in an auto accident in August 1996, only a month after her 21st birthday.  Additional funds have been graciously added to the scholarship by Bill and Patricia Sterling of Mesquite in memory of their daughter, who at the time of her death was a promising student of agriculture at Kilgore College.

The scholarship is available to second year KC agricultural students or any student who has completed two years as a KC agricultural student and is in the process of transferring to a senior college as an agricultural major.

Funds are generated by special contributions (the Sterling family) and proceeds from the sale of club projects by the KC Agriculture Club.  Applications are available from Bob Young, the KC agriculture instructor.

The Bob Young "Go Texan" Scholarships (3)
These scholarships are named in honor of Kilgore College agriculture instructor Bob Young.  The funds have been generously donated by the Rusk County "Go Texan" Committee, an affiliate of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which raises funds for student scholarships through participation in major service projects.  Mr. Young is an active member of the Committee.

These scholarships are granted annually to Kilgore College agriculture students entering their second year at the College, having completed their first academic year (fall and spring) with 24 semester hours of academic work with a minimum 2.5 GPA.  Each scholarship carries a $500 annual stipend.  Application can be made to Bob Young, the KC agriculture instructor. 

The Kilgore College Agricultural Farm

The 448-acre Kilgore College Agricultural and Environmental Science Department, located two miles northeast of Overton on State Highway 135, houses all lecture and laboratory classes which usually meet one afternoon per week per course.

Only nine miles from the campus, the College Farm is home to a purebred Angus herd which will be foundation seed stock for animals exhibited by the KC Show Team when they begin competition during the Fall of 2001.  The College maintains a commercial herd of crossbred cattle for use in a newly created embryo transfer program as a training aid for animal science students and to enhance the genetic makeup of the current and future stock.

Although Suffolk sheep and Boer goats are more naturally acclimated to the Texas Hill Country, Kilgore College defied tradition to bring these species to East Texas so they could be studied by students in animal science classes.

KC's Bull Evaluation Center is the only such facility in East Texas for measuring feed efficiency and several other genetic traits in bulls.  Started in 1973, the facility can accommodate 100 bulls for two feeding trials each year.

Yorkshire hogs are also maintained on the farm for the benefit and study of animal science students.

A state-of-the-art greenhouse is available for horticultural students to grow various types of plants throughout the year.  Landscaping and bedding plants have become a substantial component of the East Texas economy, and are growing more important each year.

Alfalfa, pearl millet, and hybrid sorghum/sudan grass have been added to the Farm's repertoire of pasture grasses for experimental and practical use as animal grazing, hay production, and detailed classroom research study.  Not traditionally grown in East Texas, these agronomic crops are produced in other areas of the country with more favorable climates.  Through the assistance of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, these crops are now available for closer study by Kilgore College agricultural students and the observation by East Texas area farmers.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Kilgore College Farm has maintained an environment for its students to study and nurture their academic passions in the wide range of fields in agriculture.

Kilgore College is indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated group of agriculturists who volunteer their time to serve on the Advisory Committee for the Agricultural and Environmental Science Department.

Purebred Angus Donation Program

The Kilgore College Farm has been the recipient of several animal donations from around the state since the start up of the purebred Angus herd.  We are appreciative of the American Angus Association and the Texas Angus Association for helping secure quality cattle and to Angus breeders who have made generous donations of outstanding livestock to the KC Farm.

These animals are used to produce offspring for our newly created KC Livestock Show Team and for educational studies by animal science classes.

Ranchers who would like to make a charitable donation of registered Angus cattle to Kilgore College may contact Bob Young through his e-mail address or by calling (903) 834-6255.  An impressive donor appreciation sign is in place near the classroom building at the Farm

Kilgore College Bull Test Evaluation Center

Kilgore College operates the only Bull Evaluation Center between Dallas and Shreveport, Paris and College Station.  Established in 1973 by the college's first agricultural instructor, Wayne Lacy, the Center's purposes are to: (1) provide common environmental test conditions for evaluating rate of gain, soundness, structural frame, muscling, and other traits of economic importance to beef cattle producers and (2) promote performance testing and the identification of genetically superior beef cattle.

Each test consists of a 21-day warm-up period to get bulls accustomed to new surroundings, followed by an 84-day official testing period.  Weights are taken at 28-day intervals; progress reports are mailed following each weigh period.  Bulls are fed a growing-finishing ration adequate for maximum growth and expression of genetic potential.

A basic entry fee of $100 per bull is payable with the entry application which covers pen rental, labor, management and performance data reports.  Actual feed costs incurred during the test are billed to each breeder by the first of each month to be paid the tenth of that month.  Balance of the feed bill is then calculated and due at the conclusion.

Three tests are conducted each calendar year. 

Following the conclusion of the test, each bull is given an ultrasound procedure which measures marbling, rib eye, and back fat thickness.  Scrotal circumference is measured for spiral ness.  Animals are also measured at hip height which helps determine their frame score.  (NOTE:  Ultrasound measures marbling, rib eye area and fat thickness.  Scrotal circumference is measured via measuring tape.)

Members of the KC Agriculture Club glean practical experience working with the animals, especially at check-in and each weighing period.  It's an intense education that students at some senior colleges do not often realize.

The Kilgore College Agriculture Club

All agriculture students are urged to participate in the Kilgore College Agriculture Club, a member of the Texas Junior College Agriculture Association (TJCAA), a highly competitive state-wide organization of about 15 community colleges where agriculture courses are taught.

This club has been selected TJCAA "Chapter of the Year" nine of the past twelve years and has had two state officers elected eight of the past twelve years.  Members travel across the state to participate in competitive events.  In doing so, they build camaraderie with fellow students from other colleges, creating friendships that last a lifetime.

One of the most active groups on campus, the KC Agriculture Club annually participates in dozens of events from constructing award-winning Christmas parade floats, coordinating breed association judging events, supervising FFA and 4-H judging contests, assisting with the Bull Evaluation Center and many other service activities in the area.

Membership is open to all students, regardless of major.

The following is a list of ACT universities and links to their agricultural department.

Abilene Christian University
Angelo State University
Prairie View A&M University
Sam Houston State University
Southwest Texas State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Sul Ross State University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas Tech University
West Texas A&M University

09/01/10