College Swine Program Experiences Resurgence
(Press Release 08-31-07)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

After a long absence the swine program at Eastern Oklahoma State College is seeing a resurgence this fall as classes begin at the Wilburton college.

Agriculture Division Chairman Leland Walker says the program has been on the "back burner for awhile but is now being revisited in depth.

"Many of our students have more experience with swine than cattle when they come to us from high school," he said.

The agriculture faculty along with local sponsors has been renovating the swine facilities north of the main campus recently.

"The agriculture faculty and generous donations from producers like Gosney Livestock Firm and Ben Fisher from western Oklahoma along with Fred James from Wilburton and Triple B Sires from Eufaula have made this possible," Eastern Farm Operations Manager Troy Walker said.

Walker says the renovated facilities will be used to further Eastern student's education in swine management, farrowing operations, feeder pigs and finishing as well as harvesting and evaluation.

Troy Walker, Meat Processing and Food Safety Instructor Josh Roberts and Animal Science instructor Todd Blocker will be overseeing the operation.

Caption info:

Eastern Oklahoma State College sophomore and Agriculture Education major Tamra Bell, from Wilburton, and Rachel Tubbs, a sophomore Agriculture Economics major also from Wilburton visit with Josh Roberts, Eastern Meat Processing and Food Safety instructor and Troy Walker, Eastern Farm Manager in the newly re-established swine nursery.