USU Equine Education Center Ribbon Cutting
Writer: Elaine Taylor; Dennis Hinkamp
Contact: Dirk Vanderwall, (435) 797-9438
George Humbert, (801)629-4221,
Officials from Utah State University’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences unveiled a new classroom facility and solar array panels at the Sam Skaggs Family Equine Education Center in Wellsville on Jan. 5. Students in USU’s Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department will soon begin courses in equine science and management in the classroom, while the complex’s Matt Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center will start receiving power from the 264 newly installed solar panels funded by a Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky Grant.
As Dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Ken White explained at the ribbon cutting ceremony, the new facilities have helped set the university apart from others. Enrollment in the equine program has more than doubled over the past four years.
“I remember when the equine program was held on 1400 North in a very small, very dilapidated facility,” White said. “The breakthrough moment for that program was when we were able to move the program out here and provide a state-of-the-art facility. This program is second to none.”
The new solar array, which is nestled between the Equine Center and Highway 89, will reduce the cost of utilities at the Hillyard building, while increasing the visibility of renewable energy in the community.
According to George Humbert, Rocky Mountain Power’s community relations manager, the array is expected to produce between 90,000-92,000 kilowatt-hours annually, equivalent to the amount of energy 10 typical Utah homes use in one year.
“Utah is one of the states with the most potential for solar power in the country,” said USU Sustainability Coordinator Alexi Lamm. “After installation, the fuel is free, reducing utility bills and helping maintain an affordable education for students.”
Impacts of the project go beyond electricity and the environment, as USU students and community members will be able learn more about solar energy from the array.
“The project provides great educational opportunities for students pursuing any number of educational paths as related to engineering, sciences and the humanities,” said Humbert.
While the array may help to inspire future scientists, the new classroom will primarily serve undergraduate equine science and management students.
“The building essentially ties all of our equine facilities into a single cohesive unit,” said Dirk Vanderwall, associate professor and head of the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences. “After attending class in the new building, the students can walk outside and turn left into the horse barn or turn right into the arena for their hands-on horse activities.”
The new facility is outfitted with the latest teaching technologies, but as USU Provost Noelle Cockett said at the ceremony, the rooms have been built for the sometimes dirty work that comes with the equine program.
“You will notice that these classrooms are not as luxurious as some of those up on the main campus, but for an equine center, this is perfect,” Cockett said. “It allows our students to come in and out from whatever they are doing around the center with whatever they have on the bottom of their boots.”
Student Jasmine Hawkins called the new classroom the last piece in the Equine Education Center’s puzzle.
“Over the last three years, I have spent more time here at the Equine Center than I have on the main campus,” Hawkins said. “I have had the great pleasure to learn from some of the best teachers anyone could ask for. They have pushed me past the point that I thought was possible and made me a better rider, student, horsewoman and better all around human being.”
In addition to benefiting USU students, Vanderwall said the new building and the 26-acre center will also serve as a venue for equine Extension and outreach activities for the public.
Students began using the new classroom on Jan. 7 when the USU spring semester started.
Find out more about how to support more community-based renewable energy projects like this solar array at https://www.rockymountainpower.net/env/bsre.html.
