WT Student-Organized Festivities to Celebrate Panhandle Agriculture Industry Sept. 21

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas -Students in West Texas A&M University's Department of Agricultural Sciences will bring back a major event after its runaway success in its inaugural year.

The Fall Gather, which will run from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 21, is a celebration of the "unique aspects of Panhandle agriculture and the hands that feed us," said committee member McKenna Murphy, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Calhan, Colorado.

"By showcasing where our food comes from and the hard work behind it, we aim to deepen understanding and appreciation for agriculture," Murphy said. "Together, we unite students, families, producers, and the entire community in a shared celebration of agriculture and its vital role in our lives."

Tickets are $30 each or $10 for students.

The Fall Gather will take place during the Countdown to Kickoff Tailgate Party before the Buffalos football game against Central Washington University. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The party, on the lawns between Buff Courts and 26th Street, will include live music from Colt Edrington, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Grandview, and Nelson McKinney, a senior music major from Amarillo; interactive educational activities; the Corny Corner, a designated play area for children; a hearty meal featuring Denver-cut steak, as well as side dishes made from Panhandle-raised ingredients; and alcohol for those ages 21 and over. Attendees can vote for their favorite dishes.

Fall Gather ticket purchases also include admission to the football game and a free T-shirt.

Sponsorship levels run from $500 to $10,000, offering varying levels of benefits, including ticket packages, recognition in advertisements and more.

Sponsors as of Sept. 5 include the Schaeffer family, Compass Ag, Plains Cotton Growers, First United Bank of Lubbock, Landair, Brown Land & Cattle, Texas Wheat Producers Association, Amarillo National Bank, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Texas Corn Producers.

Funds raised will benefit the WT clubs and organizations who put on the event. The inaugural event in 2023 raised $40,000.

"Fall Gather is the perfect blend of community and celebration," said Dr. Kevin Pond, dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. "There's nothing quite like enjoying a meal made from Panhandle agriculture commodities while surrounded by friends, producers, and fellow students. The WT football tailgate atmosphere adds to the excitement, making it a day where we not only celebrate our culture of agriculture but also learn and connect in meaningful ways."

The Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences is a key component of WT's mission to address regional challenges, as laid out in the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

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