and at Tom Sparks and the work that he has done in organizing this program 

 and as being a former participant in our Youth Range Forum, which is spon- 

 sored by the Society, I think you will get a good evaluation of these pro- 

 grams. Many other programs for our college age youth are reaping real bene- 

 fits in the field of range. It's an area I think we need to expand to get 

 into our high school and elementary age students, expecially those in urbaji 

 areas to evangalize and carry the word of rangeland and range management 

 to this part of society. 



In closing, let me say that as I look at the role of the Society, that 

 we are a group of people working in the area of natural resources, specifi- 

 cally rangeland and range resources, to do a job we feel we can do better 

 than anyone else and again this idea of providing a forum for people inter- 

 ested in a particular resource for the good of mankind. Again, it has been 

 a real honor to be here with you. It is good to renew acquaintances and 

 I'll be looking forward to seeing you at other meetings down the line, 

 hopefully the Society for Range Management can be of benefit to you. Thank 

 you. 



Dr. Robert J. Ragsdale , Texas A & M University, who presented this speech 

 at the Governor's Conference on Montana Rangeland, is the Extension Spec- 

 ialist and Project Leader in Range Science at Texas A & M University. 



Dr. Ragsdale was raised on a ranch near Jimction, Texas. He received 

 his B.S. in range and forestry, 1955; and M.S. in animal breeding, 1957; 

 and a PHD in range science, 1969; from Texas A & M University. 



He was Associate Extension range specialist, 1958-67 and Extension range 

 specialist, 1967 to present. He specializes in rangeland management subject- 

 matter educational and informational programs for adults and youth. He is 

 assigned state wide responsibilities in Texas. Dr. Ragsdale is a member of 

 numerous honorary and professional societies. He is a long-time member of 

 the Society for Range Management and has served as President of the Texas 

 Section and as a Director of the Society. 



Dr. Ragsdale was elected President of the Society for Range Management 

 in 1976 at the Annual Meeting in Omaha. 



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