Quinney College Week Celebrates With Camp, Food, New Traditions

From and overnight field camp in Logan Canyon and BBQ on campus to the annual tractor parade through the heart of campus, the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources will showcase many facets of one of USU’s largest colleges during Quinney College Week, Sept. 26 through Oct. 2.

The weeklong celebration brings students together for hands-on activities, college traditions, service projects and opportunities to connect with clubs, campus resources and industry professionals.

“Quinney College Week is one of my favorite celebrations of the year,” said Sarah McBride, QANR college senator. “I love that we get to highlight the different parts of our large and diverse college through all of our events. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate everything that makes the Quinney College special.”

The festivities officially kick off with Quinney Field Camp. Taking place Sept. 26-27 at the Grizzly Outdoor Learning Center in Logan Canyon, the weekend event takes Quinney College Week beyond campus for two days of hands-on learning, including birding, learning about Utah forests, and (weather permitting) an evening of stargazing with telescopes and learning some astronomy.

The 30th Annual Utah Agricultural Products BBQ brings together great food and building scholarship support for students in the college on Sept. 26. Utah farm and food industry sponsors provide the BBQ with financial support, food, and volunteers to prepare and serve delicious Utah products. Over its 30-year run, the BBQ has funded more than $369,000 of scholarships. The event is from 2-5 p.m. at Craig Aston Park, 1390 N. 800 E.

Other Quinney College Week events include:

• Sept. 28 — Quinney Fair: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28 on the Quad, students can meet representatives from clubs, businesses, internship programs, and campus resources and participate in interactive activities. Free walking tacos will be available while supplies last, and an Aggie Ice Cream eating contest begins at 1:30 p.m.

  “The Quinney Fair is my favorite event,” McBride said. “It’s a great opportunity for students to find experiences and resources that can enhance their time at USU, support them throughout their educational journey and help prepare them for life after graduation as they enter the workforce.”

• Sept. 29 — Cow Milking Contest: From 6-8 p.m. at the USU Caine Dairy Teaching and Research Center in Wellsville. Students can try milking a dairy cow, riding motor ponies and roping. Prizes will go to the top three milkers, including a one-of-a-kind belt buckle for the winner. Free Aggie Ice Cream will be available while supplies last. Admission is one food item donated to the Student Nutrition Access Center.
• Sept. 30 — Snow Cones on the Patio: Students can stop by the Agricultural Sciences patio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a free snow cone. Quinney College Week T-shirts will also be available for purchase.
• Sept. 30 — Dam Aggies: From 5-7 p.m. at First Dam in Logan, students can participate in a service project to clean up the area, followed by free hot dogs. The first 50 participants can also get a free flowerpot to paint. Parking is limited, so participants are encouraged to carpool.
• Oct. 1 — Meet and Eat: From 10 a.m. to noon at the Natural Resources Building atrium and patio, students can enjoy free pancakes and meet the Quinney College’s new dean, Derek McLean, along with academic and peer advisors and department heads.
• Oct. 2 — Tractor Parade: The annual Tractor Parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Building before making its way through campus. The parade began in 2006 to honor eight USU students and instructor Evan Parker who were killed in a van crash the previous year. Since then, it has grown into a beloved college tradition that remembers those who were lost and celebrating the college’s clubs, departments and students. Tractors provided by local businesses and the ASTE Department will pull floats representing departments and clubs, with candy tossed to spectators along the route.

Together, these events let students see the breadth of QANR while finding new ways to connect with the college and each other.

More information about Quinney College Week can be found at https://qanr.usu.edu/week.