Conversation Starters
Greetings to you from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. I am excited to be the new Dean of the College and to serve both the campus and state in this role. I was attracted to Colorado State because of the outstanding national and international reputation of the faculty and staff paired with the excellent education that students receive from this great institution. At Colorado State, the Land Grant mission is valued, and the citizens of Colorado remain the major focus of our College.
Looking Toward the Future
During the last few months, in preparation for the move to Fort Collins, I’ve had the privilege to learn about Colorado State, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the Colorado agricultural industry overall. Although the landscape continues to evolve, two priorities for the College and agriculture continue to surface:
- Recruit top students into our profession to ensure a succession planning for the future of agriculture
- Continue to provide relevant research and educational programs that contribute to the economic viability and sustainability of the agricultural enterprise in Colorado.
The citizens of Colorado look to the College of Agricultural Sciences at CSU to energize their state’s economy and to position Colorado to be competitive globally. Faculty and staff in our College reflect a tremendous public investment in intellectual capacity. As such, we have a responsibility to use our talents to discover and apply knowledge that contributes to the prosperity of our state and to develop educated and productive citizens who will continue to enhance Colorado agriculture.
Students Hold the Key
Agriculture is fundamentally important to our ability to provide access to a safe, secure, and affordable food system. Recent figures show that agriculture contributes $16 billion to the state’s economy and around 4% of the jobs in the state. Yet, the number of students selecting science, and in particular agriculture, as a career on a national basis is not increasing, and in many states, is decreasing. Thus, there is a sense of urgency in attracting our young people to consider agriculture as a career option.
Agriculture is a misunderstood science; much of society does not appreciate that agriculture is an applied and complex discipline in which we integrate concepts from fundamental sciences such as chemistry and biology with human and behavioral sciences to solve some of society’s most challenging problems. We need bright, committed individuals who find a sense of purpose in agricultural careers.
Sharing the Commitment
Part of the conversation I will have as I travel through the state meeting people will center on development of a succession plan for agriculture and related sciences. To ensure that agriculture remains economically viable and sustainable in Colorado and throughout the U.S., we must work in concert to attract diverse and talented students into our disciplines. We have a responsibility to develop creative thinkers who can adapt to a changing world and can apply their knowledge to unfamiliar situations.
Our commitment to the citizens of Colorado is to provide a learning environment in the College of Agricultural Sciences at CSU that both motivates and educates. Students must be shown how their disciplines relate to the larger agricultural system. They must be taught process, as well as content, and must be given the tools to make informed decisions that impact our nation’s ability to produce food, feed, fiber, and fuel. The education that a student receives at CSU is designed to prepare students for a world different from today’s.
In turn, I ask that you make a commitment as well. When you meet with elementary and high school age students, ask two questions:
- What are your interests and career goals?
- Have you considered the College of Agricultural Sciences at CSU?
The impact you have when opening a student’s eyes to possibilities not previously considered is powerful.
The College of Agricultural Sciences by design exists to serve the citizens of Colorado. As Dean, I am committed to guiding the College to fulfill this land-grant mission. In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to meeting with each of you, our external constituents, to learn about the issues that impact the multiple sectors of agriculture in the state. Your input to this effort is essential to developing a relevant partnership with prominent impacts and lasting benefits.
It’s with great optimism that I step into my new role at the College of Agricultural Sciences, and I offer my sincere appreciation and gratitude for the responsibilities that you’ve given me. However, the future of agriculture does not lie in the hands of one person or one institution. We all share in this goal, and I encourage you to take an active role in this responsibility.
I welcome your thoughts and suggestions as we look toward the future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Craig A. Beyrouty, Dean
College of Agricultural Sciences
Colorado State University