Two members of North Dakota State University’s Western equestrian team have earned national titles.
Hailey Aagard, a junior from Wadena, Minn., was named the 2014 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s national champion in beginner horsemanship at the ISHA National Championships held in Harrisburg, Pa., May 1-4.
Janna Rice, a junior from Maddock, was named 2014 IHSA reserve national champion in advanced horsemanship.
“As a coach, I couldn’t be more proud of Janna and Hailey,” says Tara Swanson, the team’s coach. “They have been working hard all year in preparation for the opportunity to compete at nationals. Both of them rode with poise, confidence, determination and skill, which resulted in a very positive outcome.”
Rice and Aagard advanced to the national competition by placing among the top four riders at semifinal competition hosted by West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, March 29-30.
Two other NDSU riders also competed in semifinal competition. They were Ashley Lindell, a senior from Soloway, Minn., and Cami Slaubaugh, a junior from Wolford. Lindell finished with an honorable mention in reining and a seventh-place finish in open horsemanship. Slaubaugh finished seventh in intermediate horsemanship.
These four riders earned the opportunity to compete at one of the three semifinals held throughout the U.S. by finishing as champion or reserve champion at the Zone 7 Region 3 regional championships hosted by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on March 2.
Other NDSU riders competing in regional competition were: Nicole Holasek, a senior from Waconia, Minn.; Karley Schaefer, a sophomore from West Fargo; Emily Norwig, a junior from Hastings, Minn.; Hannah Bucheger, a sophomore from Andover, Minn.; and Blaine Novak, a junior from Fordville.
The NDSU Western equestrian team ended the 2013-2014 regular season with high honors; it was named the Zone 7 Region 3 reserve high point team. The equestrian team consisted of 26 members.
“We had a fairly inexperienced team this year, but each one of the team members stepped up to take on a position within the team, which helped us to achieve this high honor,” Swanson says.
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, which is the organization NDSU competes in, consists of a little more than 400 teams, with more than 8,300 riders, across the U.S. and Canada. The organization offers eight levels of hunter seat riding and six levels of Western riding.
Agricultural Losses Due to Flooding Continue in Devil Lake Basin
Potential agricultural earnings continue to be lost in the Devils Lake Basin due to the continued expansion of Devils Lake and Stump Lake.
Estimates show that there will be an increase of more than 10,000 acres of cropland lost to Devils Lake in 2014, according to Jeff Frith, manager of the Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource Board, and Bill Hodous, North Dakota State University Extension Service Ramsey County agent.
“Total direct losses are estimated at nearly $57 million due to reduced sales of crop production as a result of inundated acres,” says Dwight Aakre, NDSU Extension Service farm management specialist. “The largest losses are from spring wheat and soybeans, each at about 24 percent of the total. Other crops with major losses include corn, edible beans, barley and canola.”
The total impact on business activity in the region from direct and indirect losses this year is estimated at $209 million, according to Randal Coon, research specialist in the NDSU Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department.
These losses include reduced personal income of $55 million and reduced retail trade activity of $46 million. The loss of business activity ultimately is reflected in lost jobs in the region. Secondary employment losses are estimated at 282 jobs for the region.
Lost tax revenues are estimated to be more than $3 million due primarily to a reduction in sales tax revenue. Personal and corporate income taxes also will be reduced.
The data used for the study included the five-year average acreage of each crop grown in the area, five-year average yields for each crop and the estimated 2014 marketing year average price for each crop. The increase in the inundated acreage partially was offset by the lower than expected crop prices for 2014.
This analysis quantifies the extent of the lost agricultural production in the Devils Lake Basin due to the continued high water levels in Devils Lake, Stump Lake and the surrounding area. It does not include any nonagricultural costs associated with roads and other infrastructure.
Summer Safety Focus of Annual Red River Zoo Event
Free admission during event hours
FARGO, ND (May 8, 2014) — Families looking for fun and educational outing are invited to attend the 10th annual Safety Safari at the Red River Zoo from 3-7 p.m., Saturday, May 17.
AAA North Dakota and Safe Kids Fargo-Moorhead sponsor the event to help educate parents and children on how to avoid accidental injuries–the number one killer of America’s children–while exploring the zoo. Admission to the zoo for the event is free.
In addition to activities showcasing some of the zoo’s animals, the Safety Safari will feature safety-related demonstrations presented by local medical, fire and law enforcement agencies. A limited number of bicycle helmets will also be available at discounted prices.
With the increase in outdoor activity, summer is a dangerous time of year for children. The most common causes of child accidental injury deaths in the summer are motor vehicle passenger injuries, drowning, pedestrian injuries, biking and falls, according to Safe Kids.
For more information on the Safety Safari, go to www.redriverzoo.org, or call 701-282-6222.
N.D. 4-H Foundation Awards Scholarships
The North Dakota 4-H Foundation has awarded scholarships to 10 4-H members.
The scholarships and 2014 recipients are:
* Eleanor R. Schultz Memorial Scholarship ($300) – Hanna Nordby, Slope County
* Jerome Striegel Memorial Scholarship ($150) – Samatha Schmoker, Stutsman
County
* Rosevold Memorial Scholarship ($400) – Abby Braaten, Richland County
* Farm and Ranch Guide ($500) – Jordan Brummond, Walsh County
* North Dakota 4-H Foundation Scholarship (in honor of Erwin and Nora Klusmann and John Norgaard, $350) – Mallory Nygard, Williams County
* John Jr. and Hannah DeKrey Scholarship ($750) – Mikayla Cramer, Cass County
* John D. Paulson Memorial Award ($1,000 each) – Abigail Zikmund and Hayley
Fingarson, Walsh County
* Kelci Jo Willson Memorial Award ($300) – Jessi Lagein, Towner County
* Steve E. and Mary M. Tuhy Scholarship ($500) – Rachel Foerster, Cass County
As part of the selection process, applicants submit answers to questions about what skills and types of knowledge they gained from 4-H project and leadership experiences, how they used 4‐H experiences to impact their communities, and how 4‐H has helped shape them as a person and influenced their futures.
“After reading more than 50 applications from 4-H’ers across the state of North Dakota, I am inspired and assured that the future is bright and our North Dakota 4-H youth are remarkable,” says Cheryl Kuhn, North Dakota 4-H Foundation executive director.
4-H is the largest and only research-based youth organization in North Dakota. Nearly 5,400 youth were 4-H members in 2013 (the latest statistics available). However, more than 25,000 youth participated in North Dakota State University Extension Service youth development activities through one-time programs, in- school or after-school programs, and camps.
The North Dakota 4-H Foundation is the NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development’s private-sector, nonprofit partner. Visit http://www.ndsu.edu/4h for more information about scholarships and other 4-H activities in North Dakota.