News release issued March 21, 2000, effective immediately.
For media inquiries, contact Caroline Booth Lara, Communications Specialist, (580) 224-6379.
  email: cblara@noble.org

AgVenture 2000 Features Ag Careers

ARDMORE, Okla. High school students interested in agricultural careers after high school are invited to apply for free participation in AgVenture 2000, a unique, intense, hands-on agricultural experience sponsored annually by The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in southern Oklahoma.

Freshman through senior students throughout Oklahoma and North Texas are encouraged to apply for the AgVenture program, slated for May 30-June 2 in Ardmore. Approximately 15 students able to demonstrate their desire to enter an agricultural career field will be selected to participate in this year's educational program.

Hands-on applications and demonstrations will be held in areas ranging from proper pasture fire management to new horticulture technology, to the economics involved in livestock management.

"AgVenture is an opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in a wide variety of agricultural careers," said Rob Self, AgVenture 2000 coordinator. "It is a very unique chance to gain insight into the diversity of jobs available within the agriculture industry." Participants will be housed during most of the four-day "ag camp" in the beautiful, comfortable Noble Foundation Conference Center, but will spend one night at the NF Wildlife Unit near Allen, Okla.

The group also is scheduled to tour Inslee Fish Farm and a Love County horse ranch, Self said, as well as other NF properties such as the Horticulture Center, Plant Biology Division labs, and foundation greenhouse, all located at the NF headquarters in Ardmore.

"We have been working hard to represent the diversity of the ag industry in this year's program," Self said. "Items on the agenda include deer population management, hoop-house horticulture, native grass ecology and management, prescribed burning, livestock handling, pond management, and much more."

Applications must be postmarked by April 5 to be considered for participation in AgVenture. They should be mailed to AgVenture, c/o The Noble Foundation, P.O. Box 2180, Ardmore, OK 73402-2180.

For additional information about AgVenture and other Noble Foundation programs, check out the NF Website at www.noble.org or call Self at (580) 223-5810.

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(FYI — The Noble Foundation is a privately funded, nonprofit organization headquartered in Ardmore, Okla. The Foundation conducts agricultural and plant biology research; provides grants to numerous other charitable and educational organizations; and assists farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative programs.)