Southern region biological and agricultural engineering students rally at Texas A&M
Student chapters from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers participate
The Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering recently hosted the 2025 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, ASABE, Southeastern Regional Rally on the Texas A&M campus.
This was the first time the event has been hosted at Texas A&M and more than 150 students from 11 universities were in attendance. The three-day event included industry tours, workshops, a design challenge, networking and a social event.
Additionally, a banquet was held featuring a keynote address from professor, leadership coach and HBO special comedian Shayla Rivera, who encouraged students to trust the voice in their heads and go for anything.
“This was a great opportunity to be able to host and showcase our department to the many different emphases that the ABASE southeastern region has to offer,” said Tori Schutte, regional treasurer and senior in the department. “Overall, it brought new connections to students and opportunities to learn more about everything biological and agricultural engineering can offer.”
Design challenge
The engineering-focused design challenge tasked students with building a structure that could hold as many full soda cans as possible. Using only two decks of cards and a roll of tape, the structure also had to stand at least 6 inches tall.
Workshop topics
Students collaborated with professors from the department in their areas of study or on subjects that interested them.
Topics that were available to the students included:
- Cotton engineering.
- Biological particle.
- Food engineering.
- Cotton gin lab.
- Sustainability with the Nexus program.
- Graduate school process and information.
- Renewables.
- Study abroad programs.
- Hydraulic board lab.
- Water surveying lab.
Industry tours
Industry tours were focused on companies within the Brazos Valley that featured an emphasis on biological and agricultural engineering.
Participants included Blackwater Draw Brewing, Burton Cotton Gin, Producers Cooperative Association, United Ag and Turf, Texas A&M Precision Greenhouse, City of College Station Water Treatment, Kubota, Sanderson Farms, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Sediment and Erosion Laboratory, and Advanta Seeds.
“I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out,” said Schutte. “It would not have been a success without them.”
About ASABE
Founded in 1907, ASABE comprises members of more than 100 countries. ASABE membership is open to all engineers as well as non-engineers who are interested in engineering and technology for agricultural, food and biological systems.
ASABE offers students the opportunity to connect with mentors in the field, leadership opportunities and professional experiences that match their technical interests.
