A Red Raider leader is exactly what this year's Texas Tech Ag Council President, Kaylynn Kiker, embodies. The junior animal science major is excited for the 2017-2018 school year and plans to bring new ideas and excitement to Ag Council and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Kiker grew up in Allison, a small rural community in the Texas Panhandle some 110 miles northeast of Amarillo, and has always had an appreciation for agriculture.

Though she is involved in various other activities on campus with CASNR such as Agri-Techsans, Ambassadors for Agriculture, Block & Bridle and Chancellor's Ambassador, she has specific goals for what Ag Council will accomplish this school year.

"I'm specifically excited for the Mr. CASNR Pageant," she said. "During my freshman year there was a lot of participation, and I would like to amp it up to what it once was. It's always fun to unite the different clubs and organizations of CASNR."

The purpose of Ag Council is to work alongside members of CASNR and members of the agriculture and natural resources industry. Representatives from CASNR clubs and organizations form the Ag Council to plan and inform other students about upcoming CASNR events. Some of these events include the Homecoming Alumni Breakfast, Pig Roast, and the Mr. CASNR pageant.

"By being involved in many different clubs and organizations I have always loved representing them in Ag Council events," Kiker said. "Now, it's so exciting to be able to participate as an ag council officer."

Other Ag Council leaders stepping up this year with Kiker include Landee Kieschnick, vice president; Madalynn Thamm, secretary; Ivie Kate Mynatt, treasurer; and Morgan Havelka, scribe. Student Government Senators are Walker Carson, John Smithwick and Jake Burton.

After graduating from Tech, Kiker plans to work for an animal pharmaceutical company in sales or marketing.

Ag Council members include the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Agricultural Economics Association, Agri-Techsans, Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Alpha Zeta, Ambassadors for Agriculture, American Society of Landscape Architects, Block & Bridle, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, Collegiate Horsemen's Association, Equestrian Team, Food Science Club, Horse Judging Team, Livestock Judging Team, Meat Judging Team, Meat Science Association, MANRRS, Range, Wildlife & Fisheries Club, Rodeo Team, Sigma Alpha Sorority, Society for Conservation Biology, Soil Judging Team, Student Association for Fire Ecology-SAFE, Tech Pre-Vet Society and Wool Evaluation Team.

CONTACT: Cindy McCullough, Coordinator of Scholarships, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or cindy.mccullough@ttu.edu

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