Beta Gamma Chapter, Wisconsin-Platteville, held their annual Ag Fest September 13.
Brother Isaac Ward was one of the brothers to help convert the event into what it is today, which includes live music, a free meal, a career fair, dunk tank and more.
Brother Ward said his freshman year, the event was an opportunity for clubs in the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture to promote their club and share what they do. He said it lasted less than an hour.
“I don’t feel like it really benefited the student body as much, so when I came into the VNR-Planning role, the year I joined, a couple of us went down to the Smoking Hog event at Western Illinois (Alpha Tau Chapter), and we thought, "well, that’s something feasible that we could do at our chapter.’ Brother Ward said.
That following fall, Beta Gamma chapter provided dinner, had three guest speakers and a local band to play live music.
This year, the chapter kept a similar format. The chapter made a meal, had live music, but only one guest speaker. The event also included a dunk tank, and a career fair.
Businesses could provide a sponsorship for the event. In return, they got a booth at Beta Gamma’s career fair, allowing the chapter to cover costs and raise money for their college of agriculture. Money raised from Ag Fest will be used to contribute to renovations to the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture’s student lounge.
“We wanted something that would benefit the school a little more and get more students involved,” Brother Ward said.
He said the chapter raised roughly $9,000 with the sponsors from the career fair and other donations. Brother Ward said being able to give back to their university is a rewarding experience. He explained how it shows others the pride the chapter takes in being part of agriculture and part of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus.
He also talked about how it shows alumni of Beta Gamma that the younger generations still care about their roots in AGR and as students at their college of agriculture.
“When a teacher knows that you’re a member of AGR, they hold you to a higher standard because they know you can meet those standards,” Brother Ward said.
He said being able to show the faculty and staff that Beta Gamma Chapter cares about their school so much as to raise money for it, reflects the dedication and strong foundations that Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity has instilled in them and will continue to do so for generation to come.
