Louisiana has long been known as a hub of agriculture. The state’s focus on crops like rice and sugarcane, coupled with livestock, has made it an ideal region to study the science and history of the field hand way of living.
With an extensive history of farming comes the development of different clubs and societies devoted to the education in and tradition of agricultural practices. Future Farmers of America and 4-H are the most prominent examples of organizations targeted toward young people wanting to learn about agriculture as well its applications.
One of these many groups found at the University is the Block and Bridle Club, which has been an educational aid to many students of the College of Agriculture.
The club’s largest event, an annual rodeo at the John M. Parker Agricultural Coliseum, returns to campus on Nov. 14. Rodeo manager Ashely Allemand sees the rodeo as an occasion for students and the general public to enjoy the more recreational aspects of farming. A member of Block and Bridle Club since enrolling at the University, Allemand cites the rodeo as a major funding opportunity for the club’s service initiatives.
“It benefits our club,” Allemand said. “The funds we raise at the rodeo go on to help us go to national convention and [pay for] our banquet. We also benefit Brave Heart Children In Need, which is our charity which we give a portion of our funds to.”
The Block and Bridle Club, though open to all majors, is sourced out of the College of Agriculture, with its membership containing mostly animal sciences students.
For members like Allemand, an animal sciences junior, the club’s on-campus presence means making connections in both the college and the surrounding animal science community.
“We go to national convention, and there’s a lot of networking,” Allemand said. “We get to work with national corporations that are in agriculture.”
Allemand sees the club’s annual rodeo as a way to get community members back to their roots, literally. In a state once heavily shaped by its agriculture industries, Allemand said the University is losing real focus on the business of agronomy.
In comparison to the Block and Bridle Club, the shift of other clubs away from agriculture becomes even more apparent. Louisiana 4-H, which originated as the Corn Club in Avoyelles Parish, has evolved in the last few decades to encompass interests outside of farming, including modern technology, fashion and fitness.
“If you come to our meetings … you’ll see that all of the stuff that we focus on is really ag-related,” Allemand said. “We do a lot of petting zoos and stuff like that for the general public. I think the rodeo shows others … what the ag department still has to offer.”
Friday is the rodeo’s student night and will feature bull and bronc riding, roping and barrel races for the public, with competition entry fees ranging from $10 to $40. The club will also offer activities for less-experienced students, including a goat chase and live cow milking. Winners of the events on student night will receive prize buckles from the club.
“We also have some fun events that don’t really require any rodeo experience,” Allemand said. “We really want our students to come and enter. The entry fees are really affordable. We have all the materials they need supplied for them.”
Saturday’s rodeo is presented as an open rodeo to the public. Since the rodeo’s events will be more competitive, and therefore more intense, the competition entry fees are marked up for competitors, with riding events costing $75 and roping events at $45.
A team roper tries to catch a steer on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, during the Block and Bridle rodeo in the LSU Parker Coliseum.
