SFA Agriculture Department

We can’t wait to welcome our future Lumberjacks this fall! A new chapter is just beginning, and we’re so excited to be a part of that journey with you! 💜🌳

Be sure to send in your decision pics so we can celebrate YOU and officially welcome you into our Ag family!

✨DONOR SPOTLIGHT ✨

Congratulations to Weldon “Buddy” Alders on being named the 2026 Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus! A proud 1958 SFA agriculture graduate, Mr. Alders has dedicated his career to the agriculture industry while continuing to invest in the future of SFA students. By opening his facilities for educational tours, supporting research initiatives, donating equipment to the Beef Center, and giving back to the Department of Agriculture, he continues to shape the next generation of Lumberjacks.

“Mr. Alders represents SFA with pride, determination, and integrity, and is always willing to support opportunities for our students, staff, and faculty.” — Dr. Douglas Smith

Thank you, Mr. Alders, for your continued support and commitment to SFA Agriculture!

We want to give a HUGE congratulations to these five individuals on receiving a scholarship at the Area 9 Convention! 🎉 We are beyond proud of these future Lumberjacks and cannot wait to see all they accomplish at SFA! 🪓💜

✨Faculty Spotlight ✨

We would like to introduce you to Suhina Deol, Assistant Professor of Agribusiness!

From growing up in small rural Midwestern towns to becoming an Assistant Professor, her journey in agriculture has been inspired by both family and a passion for helping producers succeed. After earning her doctoral degree in Economics with concentrations in Econometrics and Agriculture from Washington State University, she continued pursuing research and teaching opportunities at Oklahoma State University.

Her passion for agriculture began by seeing the frustrations farmers faced with limited resources and agricultural laws, inspiring her to make a difference through education and research. She also credits her grandparents (Gian and Darshan Uppal), both teachers and lifelong role models, for inspiring her to pursue a PhD.

One of her favorite parts of teaching is witnessing the “lightbulb click” moments in the classroom and hearing about students’ successes after graduation. Her advice to students: "Set a goal, work hard, stay persistent, and you will achieve it."

She is especially passionate about agricultural water use, water policy, and natural resource management. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to sustainable solutions that strengthen agriculture while supporting both communities and natural resources.

🌟 Student Teacher Spotlight 🌟

Meet Kloe Stokes from Garrison, who student taught at Rusk this past semester!

For Kloe, agriculture has always been more than an industry — it’s been a way of life. Growing up in agriculture shaped who she is today and inspired her passion for becoming an agricultural educator. Through agriculture classes and FFA, she found confidence, leadership, and purpose, and now she hopes to give those same opportunities back to her future students.

One of her favorite memories during student teaching has been helping restart Rusk’s entomology team for the first time in several years. Watching her students work hard all season and advance to state after placing 2nd at the area contest became a moment, she says, she’ll never forget.

Kloe shared that Dr. Scallan has been one of her most influential professors, encouraging her to step outside of her comfort zone while supporting her every step of the way.

After graduation, Kloe plans to pursue her master’s degree in agriculture before beginning her career as an agriculture teacher, where she hopes to create a classroom that helps students grow, discover their passions, and gain real-world skills through agriculture.

We are proud to see students like Kloe making an impact in agricultural education and preparing to lead the next generation!

Beef Stockmanship Contest Results

We want to give a huge congratulations to the top three teams who earned Grand, Reserve, and Third Place at our contest held earlier this month! This contest helps educate and empower Texas youth with the skills and knowledge essential for success in the beef industry.

🥇 Grand Champion Team — BKM Ranch
Team members: Brance Dial, Kason Harris, and Malley Ecord

🥈 Reserve Champion Team — Chute Happens Cattle Co.
Team members: Aubrey Lockhart, Jarrett Worrell, and Haidan Lee

🥉 Third Place Team — Chireno FFA
Team members: Ben Reitan, Karmen Watts, and Nataly Kolb

We are proud of all the competitors who participated and showcased their hard work, dedication, and passion for the beef industry!

We are so excited to celebrate these Lumberjacks who received their rings last week! 💍

Earning a ring at Stephen F. Austin State University means completing 60 credit hours and reaching a huge milestone in their college journey. Ring Dunk is more than just a tradition — it’s a celebration of hard work, memories made, and the accomplishments that brought them here.

Congratulations, Lumberjacks!

Happy Graduation, Lumberjacks!💜

Lumberjacks, graduation isn't just the end of a chapter; it's the start of everything you've been working toward. You all have spent years in the lab, classrooms, and communities, learning and leading with purpose.

We've seen your early mornings and late nights working hard to earn your degree. And now, we get to see you cross the stage as leaders in agriculture.

Wherever your path takes you next, you'll always be part of the Lumberjacks family. We are so proud of you all today and always! Congrats, Lumberjacks! 🎓

Now show us your photos with the diploma you worked so hard for below, so we can celebrate you! 👇

It’s getting closer to graduation, and we couldn’t be more proud of our Lumberjacks in agriculture! We can’t wait to see all the places this next chapter takes you. Congratulations, grads!