PRAIRIE VIEW, TX – On Wednesday, September 7, Chris Boleman, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo visited campus to tour the farm and the International Goat Research Center (IGRC).
As the new President, Boleman was excited to see one of Prairie View A&M University’s prized possessions, the goat research center. College of Agriculture and Human Sciences students participated in the HLSR earlier this year, showing goats from the IGRC in several competitions and earning high placements in different categories. Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., Dean & Executive Director of Land Grant Programs, and Erdogan Memili, Ph.D., CAHS Executive Associate Director of Research. Bill Foxworth, Ph.D., Director of the IGRC, also gave an overview of the goat center’s operations and accomplishments.
“You have a 780-acre farm, agriculture research teaching, and an extension facility right next to one of the biggest cities in the United States, which is a unique feature,” Dr. Foxworth said, expressing the importance of conception to consumption.
CAHS Junior Olivia Greenwood, CAHS Ambassador and Vice President of the Livestock Club, also met with Boleman and expressed her enjoyment of the experiential learning she’s involved in on the farm.
“The farm has always been a source of welcome knowledge for me,” Greenwood explained. “Being able to come down to IGRC and get information about goat handling, goat help, and goat management was a benefit.” Ms. Greenwood regularly volunteers at the IGRC to get more hands-on experience before attending vet school.
CAHS sophomore and President of the Livestock Club, Sierra Williams, also offered her experience with the farm and IGRC.
“I had only showed cattle and rabbits but never goats,” Williams said. “I was able to come to the IGRC and learn the necessary skills it takes to care for goats. I attended the Houston rodeo and won Grand Champion with my goat, Midnight.”
After touring the farm, PVAMU President Ruth Simmons, Ph.D., and her Chief of Staff, Mr. Kevin Hoffman, joined Carolyn J. Williams, CAHS Associate Director of Extension, CEP Program Leader Rukia Draw-Hood, Ph.D., and others at the Carden Waller Cooperative Extension building for an intimate discussion about the university’s relationship with HLSR.
That’s also where college leadership emphasized its excitement about working with the new HLSR President, Chris Boleman, and continuing the strong partnership between the college and the rodeo.
Taylor Stewart
IIC Student Colleague
