St. Paul Campus Beef Barn: A Connection Between Past and Present
The
St. Paul Beef Barn stands as a legacy from our strong agricultural past
and a link to modern agriculture.
Built in 1917, on the site of the original beef barn, which burned down, the St. Paul Beef Barn has served more than four generations of students training in animal sciences.
Although much has changed in agriculture since then, its architecture, and the Department of Animal Science's commitment to education and research, have not.
Remodeled in 1987, at a time when agriculture was already undergoing dramatic change and fewer farm kids were returning to the farm, the St. Paul Beef Barn was geared to expose urban children, and adults, to the complex interactions between animal and man that occur in animal agriculture.
Today, the barn accommodates over 600 children every summer who come to learn about agriculture during an interactive, hands-on, five-day camp. Many elementary school tours, and countless other family visits, begin occurring every year around May as another sure sign of spring.
In
addition, the St. Paul Beef Barn hosts numerous events throughout the
year that sharpen up the animal selection, evaluation, and management
skills of future agriculturists who, like their predecessors, will hold
a special place in their
hearts and minds for the "Old Beef Barn".
