A select group of high school students from southern Oklahoma and North Texas completed the Noble Foundation's AgVenture 2006, a summer educational program for high school students planning on careers in the agricultural industry. Over only four days, AgVenture provides the participating students an intensive, broad exposure to various segments of agriculture.

Participating students were:

Oklahoma
Ella-Marie Audos, Antlers; Chris Barlow, Ardmore; Chris Bingham, Chickasha; Anthony Buoy, Meeker; Bryan Downey, Comanche; Brian Fischer, Chattanooga; Kade Howard, Ringling; Callie Jones, Marietta; Kelcee Leaich, Lawton; Devin Moyers, Ardmore; Laura Beth O'Donnell, Carney; Kelly Pinnick, Bradley; Luke Prichard, Duncan; Kelsey Rogers, Madill; Cody Thompson, Fox; Kahla White, Ada; and James Womack, Walters.

Texas
Gabe Cocanougher, Decatur; Mark Goggins, Justin; Justin Hoffman, Bellevue; Matt Howell, Dallas; Phylisia Loucks, Decatur; Logan McCarty, Sunset; and Chase McDaniel, Trenton.

"We are always pleased with the quality of participants in this program, and this year was no different," said Shan Ingram, education and special projects manager in Noble's Agriculture Division and AgVenture 2006 coordinator. "We enjoy the questions and energy exhibited by these young people. In the end, our staff and other presenters gain as much from the program as the students – their enthusiasm is contagious."

The AgVenture program is primarily conducted on the Noble campus in Ardmore but also includes visits to several of Noble's research and demonstration farms as well as trips to agricultural businesses. The students interacted with Noble agricultural specialists, Oklahoma State University personnel and other agricultural industry professionals. Program curriculum included grazing management, commercial fish farming, deer management and livestock marketing and farm management, among other topics.

For more information about next year's AgVenture or other Noble Foundation programs, visit the Noble Foundation's Web site at www.noble.org or call (580) 223-5810.

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Photo Cutline:	AgVenture participants listen to program coordinator, Shan Ingram, during program orientation.

News Release Issued: August 23, 2006

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.