On the Farm Will Students Use It?

The Collegian Multimedia Sports Men’s baseball Oscar winners recap, Online takes opening series, Page 8 Fresno State | Serving the campus since 1922 February 23, 2009 | Monday collegian.csufresno.edu Library now open, but On the farm will students use it? By Alex Zimmerman The Collegian Since the start of the re- construction of the Henry Madden Library, checking out books required a request from the library, and then the book would be sent from the warehouse where they were being stored, followed by an e-mail sent when the book was ready to be picked up. Now that the library is finished, checking out will change. The warehouse that was storing the books is now out of the picture, because Students take now, all those books fit in the new building. When asked about checking out books, senior mass care of animals communication and jour- nalism student Markus Collazo said, “I know how to check books out ‘as if they were online, and I have been to a library before, so it can’t be more than finding a selection and bringing it their own’ to the counter.” By Brian Maxey Fresno State students The Collegian have become accustomed to not having a library. Fresno State’s campus farm — complete “I have been here since with horse stables, a meat processing the Fall of 2005, so I have plant, a swine and beef unit, a dairy plant technically never had a and even an on-site veterinary facility — library here on campus,” operates as a small slice of rural agricul- Collazo said. ture amidst urban sprawl. “I have gotten along pret- Students might forget that a 1,100-acre ty well without one. Now campus farm exists. Yet, the familiar it is going to be weird to smell of manure in the morning may Matt Weir / The Collegian actually have a library. I remind them that the university is, A cattle chute (top) is visible outside the farm’s beef unit. The unit resides between the horse unit and can no longer use the lack indeed, a farm school. the swine unit (bottom). of a library as an excuse From the outside, the farm may appear to my parents if I don’t get to be just an extension of the campus. good grades.” However, students from the many ag ost people forget about us back here. But I don’t mind it. It’s like Ever since the ribbon department programs do their best to cutting and official open- maintain the farm’s production. “Mhaving our own little niche — an environment that is completely ing of the library Collazo Students Matt Avila, a 24-year-old ours.” feels now he will probably senior transfer from Merced, and Zack head over there a couple Sayler, a 21-year-old junior transfer from — Zack Sayler, times a week to study in the University of Idaho, are two of the between classes. few dozen people who help operate and Junior “If I’m on campus and maintain the farm. need to do some homework Avila works as the herdsman manager However, their work space is not with- Sayler and Avila then must check the or I have some spare time on the farm’s beef unit, a student-run to catch up on reading I’ll out its share of duties. health of all the cattle, clean the equip- enterprise that breeds and sells cattle. The two, along with the three other stu- ment and the feedlots, and keep scru- be there,” Collazo said. Sayler serves as an assistant in the feed- “Also, I plan on tak- dents who work in the beef unit, begin pulous track of the cattle and feeding ing lot. their days promptly at 7 a.m., when they records. They must also oversee the birth- ing advantage of the Located just off of Barstow Avenue, the Starbucks like everybody prep the cattle for feeding. ing process and grooming of the cattle. unit sits tucked in between the horse unit, “We mix the feed right here on campus,” “It’s a lot that goes on here that people else.” which is easily visible from the street, Transfer student and Avila said, describing one of their several don’t see,” Avila said. and the swine unit. daily chores. The two say that their work is fun and business major Mike “It’s like most people forget about us Barnett says, “Back home “We give them a special mixture of that it gives them valuable experience back here,” Sayler said. corn, alfalfa, wheat hay, corn-silage and that they may otherwise not receive. “We in Los Angeles, I never “But I don’t mind it. It’s like having our really used a library. Even liquid ‘mol’ mix. It ensures that they get take pride in what we do,” said Sayler, own little niche — an environment that is the proper vitamins and minerals so that completely ours.” See BOOKS, Page 2 they’re healthy overall.” See FARM, Page 2 Page 2 The Collegian • News Monday, February 23, 2009 News Editor, Mathew Gomes • [email protected] BOOKS: Many students FARM: Beef unit includes Angus and Charolais CONTINUED from page 1 unfamiliar with libraries who would eventually like to breed bucking bulls as a profes- sional stock contractor. Avila, who eventually would like to sell vaccines for a major don’t even know what hoops I have to jump retailer like Pfizer, said that through to check out a book. I am sure it is people come in and check the “I cattle all the time. going to be nice to have, but what I am looking “The farm sits just off of forward to is the Starbucks in between classes.” Chestnut, so everyone can see what’s going on,” Avila said. — Mike Barnett, “We have to keep the cattle and the unit in the best possible Senior shape,” Avila said. “We take care of this herd as if it were our own. If the beef unit looks bad, we look bad, CONTINUED from page 1 be hanging out outside the and it would reflect bad on the library on a hill, reading school. It’s a chain reaction.” growing up, I had a field by the light of the giant Likewise, the two say that trip to the public library, screen on the outside working on campus is conve- but I never went there on of the library, enjoying nient and flexible. my own accord,” Barnett nature.” “We work when our sched- said. Many students use of ule allows for it, but we keep Matt Weir / The Collegian “I don’t even know what the library will depend on the cattle to a strict schedule,” hoops I have to jump their instructors. Fresno State’s dairy products, including cheeses and ice cream, are available at Sayler said. “So we can’t inter- the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, among other local vendors. through to check out a “My instructors will rupt that.” book. I am sure it is going play a big part in my use The beef unit raises pure- in national competition. Avila also grew up around to be nice to have, but what of the library.” Barnett bred Angus and Charolais Avila, who also helps oversee cattle on his family’s purebred I am looking forward to is said. cattle, rearing the cattle from the records of the facility, said Angus cattle ranch. the Starbucks in between “If they need me to read bull-calves to 18 months of age. the beef unit made more than “I’ve been around cattle all my classes.” books that I have to check Avila, who assists in breeding $55,200 during its annual Red life,” he said. “I guess I’ve been Barnett explained his out than yes, the library the cattle through artificial Wave Steer Sale, when 40 calves kinda bred into it. It’s not all I lack of desire to use the becomes more important insemination, said: “We breed were sold. know, but it’s what I like best.” library. to me,” he said. in spring then, turn them out to Although young, the two ag “I enjoy working here more “I honestly don’t think “Other than that I really natural pasture, and bring them business majors are veterans than going to class,” Avila I will be at the library only see myself making back in the fall.” when it comes to rearing cattle. admitted. “But we’re here to much, because the only an appearance or two.” Currently, the farm has 41 “I’ve been running cattle go to school and we know, as of books I need are my text- Charolais and 29 Angus on since I can remember,” Sayler now, that it is our main prior- books and I have those,” COMMENT: The Collegian is site. When the male offspring said. “My family has been in ity.” he said. C a forum for student expres- come of age, the unit then sells the ranching business for gen- Sayler agreed. “I’d rather be Barnett elaborated, “if I sion. http://collegian.csu- them to commercial buyers or erations. It’s kinda my way of outside working with the ani- need to read in peace I will fresno.edu enters the show-quality cattle life.” mals than behind a desk.” The Collegian That’s What the People Are Saying On car tax increase becoming effective same day as special elections don't think lawmakers had much choice but to “I raise taxes and make huge program cuts given the size of the state budget deficit.

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