On Tuesday, many college students will spend Valentine’s Day without a significant other. On Feb. 13, the Agriculture Students Association (ASA) let students spend time with a different type of special someone: dogs.
Deacon and Toby, two dogs owned by College of Agriculture faculty members, sat on a table in Free Speech Plaza to pose for a Valentine’s Day picture with students for $1. A continuous stream of students poured into the photo booth all morning, eager for their opportunity to snuggle and pose with Deacon and Toby for a few minutes.
Sponsored by the College of Agriculture, “Smooch the Pooch” was conceived by the ASA as a way to introduce the organization to more students. The money raised from the event will be used to fund Ag Week from March 20 to March 24, a week annually dedicated to preserving the Earth’s natural features.
Ag Week overlaps with National Ag Day on March 21. National Ag Day was created by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) in 1973. The ACA sponsors events around the country to educate Americans about nature, preserve elements of nature at risk of dying and search for sustainable solutions.
The ASA will have daily events for Ag Week for both College of Agriculture students and the entire student body. The ASA was revived after going defunct in 2007 and is excited to get back into bringing agricultural awareness back to the University. ASA President Brad Frazier hopes the organization can educate students about the importance of nature.
“[The ASA] is composed of student representatives from every organization within the College of Agriculture like Wildlife Society, Sigma Alpha, Air and Waste Management, they all send representatives,” Frazier said. “It’s definitely a community effort to increase the outreach of the essence of Agriculture.”
Students who crossed paths with the canines left smiling as their Monday morning improved by encountering the two dogs on their way to class. Computer science senior Sam Hardy not only enjoyed taking a photo with the dogs, but was happy to donate to Ag Week.
“I love dogs, and I’d love to donate to the AgCenter since I know they have a good cause behind them,” Hardy said. “Everything needs funding, so I’m more than happy to donate at least a dollar.”

Gallery • 8 Photos

Whitney Williston

The University's College of Agriculture hosts a "Smooch the Pooch" fundraiser on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in Free Speech Plaza.