COMMERCE —
As manager of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Animal Science Educational Farm, Chris Ellason has a lot on his plate.
To begin with, there are the approximately 1,500 acres on both sides of Highway 24 that the university owns that Ellason manages.
Then, there are the 130 head of cattle in three herds (commercial, pure-bred Angus and Hereford); the 45 horses (quarter horses and thoroughbreds), the 18 goats and the five hogs he’s in charge of, not to mention A&M-Commerce faculty and staff he interacts with and students who work and learn on the farm.
“There’s never a dull day out here,” Ellason said. “I really enjoy working with animals. I’m fortunate enough to be using the college degree I earned here at A&M-Commerce.”
Ellason earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the university, where he worked as a student cutting the grass at Memorial Stadium. Ellason has just completed his first year as farm manager after filling a teaching role for six years.
“I try to run the farm like a business, but it is also an educational facility,” he said. “My goal is to get some quality offspring to sell to 4-H and high schools in the area to help them out, and raise money for the program.”
The newest addition to the farm is a large steel building that contractors hope to finish by November. The building will serve as an indoor arena for the Equine Center and will allow them to train and compete, even in harsh conditions.
“Our program is all about hands-on experience for the students,” Ellason said. “The skills they learn here, they’ll use for life.”
Ellason and his staff are responsible for caring for the dozens of animals on the farm, even during the summer and winter breaks.
“It’s a little bit of a labor of love, and it can be challenging at times,” he said.
According to Ellason, the farm’s relationship with agricultural science professors and the A&M-Commerce administration is top notch.
“We get a lot of support from the administration,” he said. “They help us out as much as they can.”
The educational farm includes the Equine Center, Beef Cattle Center, Swine Center, Goat Center and the Farm Shop.
According to the university’s website, the Beef Cattle Center was completed in the spring of 2010. Two greenhouses sit on the farm, along with a refurbished agronomy lab. Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm also sits near the educational farm, although picking for 2012 is over.
Features
Indoor arena set to be completed this year
- Features
-
-
Wilson leaving CHS with legacy of success
On May 11, Commerce High School Senior Buck Wilson became what he’d been training his whole life for; a state champion.
-
Top two CHS grads share friendship and competitive nature
Valedictorian Joann Jang and Salutatorian Kaitlyn Mulkey of Commerce High School have been friends for a long time.
They’re also competitive by nature. -
'All natural' art show
Objects like a seashell from a beach, or a makeshift walking stick while on a walk in the woods can be used as mementos or keepsakes to remember events by.
-
Record year for volleyball program
The Commerce Volleyball program had a record year this year, having all teams go undefeated in district play and the varsity going the furthest it’s been since 1977.
-
Mason named LSC Linebacker of the Year
A&M-Commerce senior linebacker Danny Mason has been named the 2012 Lone Star Conference Linebacker of the Year, announced late last week by league officials.
-
Kilted Monkey brings pub food, family atmosphere to Commerce
It’s obvious to anyone who walks through their doors that the Kilted Monkey, located on Live Oak Street, is unique to Commerce.
-
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum celebrates 19th year
Ten years ago the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum opened in a vacant grocery store with an uncertain future.
Today the Children’s Museum has moved to the former location of Watson’s Cafeteria on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus and has a goal of welcoming 20,000 visitors before the year ends. -
Commerce firefighters honor comrades who fell on 9/11
There are a wide variety of events across the United States every September that honor the memory of those that died in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The biggest heroes that emerged from those horrific events were the emergency responders in New York City, particularly the firefighters.
-
Indoor arena set to be completed this year
As manager of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Animal Science Educational Farm, Chris Ellason has a lot on his plate.
-
Neverblu hits mark with ‘Joshua’ release
It takes some guts to put out an alt. rock album these days. The genre is more closely associated with the inauthentic machismo of Nickelback than well-crafted, thought-provoking music. But that’s exactly the kind of record Dallas-based Neverblu created with their most recent release “Joshua.”
- More Features Headlines
-
Wilson leaving CHS with legacy of success
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
