What's in a name?

University of Wyoming College of Agriculture Dean Frank Galey asked that question Monday morning in a wide-ranging give-and-take with an ag audience during the 2007 Wyoming Natural Resource Conference in Casper.

"I don't know," said Galey.

Marketing experts are advising him to change the name of the college to Agriculture and Natural Resources, so as to attract a broader array of potential students who typically turn-off when they see the word "agriculture."

Indeed, Galey acknowledged a widespread problem among high school counselors who don't fully understand the range of programs offered and actively discourage high school students from investigating the college's offerings.

The conference is Monday through Wednesday at the Parkway Plaza and is sponsored by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Cattle Women, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Auxiliary.

Galey said his college is gearing up to develop a new five-year plan, so he's seeking suggestions and feedback from the ag community. He plans to travel around the state next month, hitting the four corners of the state. "I want to give people a chance" to give their ideas about where the college should go.

Status report

Galey said enrollment at the college is steady, after several years of growth. "Given the decrease among high school students in Wyoming, we're holding our own," he said, thanks to programs that are proving popular for students.

On the cooperative extension front, Galey said county extension offices are actively working with landowners on renewable energy, how to negotiate with wind farm developers and how to improve energy efficiency on the ranch or farm. Increasingly, said Galey, federal agencies have grants for this sort of outreach.

Galey said the "Barnyards to Backyards" publication is helping people who build homes in rural Wyoming adjust to rural life and realities, such as, "Yes, there is irrigation water running through your property, but you can't use it."

Because the ag college has such a strong focus on rural issues, it is respected for leadership programs that have been developed for rural residents interested in rural commissions and government.

"We're also getting positive feedback for our new Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree," said Galey, a distance-learning program that helps young people who've earned associate degrees develop management skills they can apply on Main Street or the oil patch.