CSU Serves 3,500 in Two Hours

Colorado State University (CSU) celebrated its agricultural heritage when it hosted the 28th Annual Ag Day Barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. Colorado's agricultural growers and producers prepare the state's greatest outdoor barbecue that includes a wide selection of Colorado-grown fare such as lamb, beef, pork, beans, potatoes, fruits, dairy products and wheat bread.

"We served between 3,000 and 3,500 patrons in just two hours," commented Steve LeValley, Ph.D., sheep and wool specialist in CSU's animal science department. "We cooked 700 pounds of boneless marinated legs on site, sliced it and served it on a warm fresh flour tortilla.

"It takes a crew of more than 20 sheep producers, students and volunteers to make just the lamb portion of this event happen each year," concluded LeValley. "Surveys taken after the meal indicate that lamb is by far the favored meat served at this event."

Superior Farms, the Colorado Sheep and Wool Authority, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Harper Livestock and Rule Feedlot are just a few of the contributors for the lamb.

Ag Day honors the University's rich agricultural tradition, as well as the importance of the agriculture industry in the state. Agriculture is the second-largest industry in Colorado, providing more than 86,000 jobs and bringing in more than $12 billion to the state's economy.

Ag Day proceeds provide scholarships to CSU agriculture students.