National Block and Bridle Club

The National Block and Bridle Club (B&B) is a college club founded on December 2, 1919, in Chicago by Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, and University of Nebraska. Today, Block & Bridle has 92 college chapters in the United States.

History

On December 2, 1919, students representing the Animal Husbandry Clubs of Iowa State College, Kansas State College, the University of Nebraska and the University of Missouri, met in Chicago and formed the National Block and Bridle Club.

Mission statement

Article II "The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort." ^[1]

Objectives

Block and Bridle has three main objectives:

• To promote a higher scholastic standard among students of animal husbandry.
• To promote animal husbandry, especially all phases of student animal husbandry work, in colleges and universities.
• To bring about a closer relationship between students, faculty and others engaged in animal husbandry.

Emblem

The emblem of the Block and Bridle Club is a large "B" with a meat block and cleaver in the upper half and a bridle in the lower half.

This symbol is very significant to Block and Bridle Club members, as it represents the principles upon which the club is built.

Character, sincerity, and a moral life are asked of members when they are initiated into the Block and Bridle Club. These attributes are depicted in the straight perpendicular line of the "B." The distinct curves of the "B" are symbolic of social pleasure, mental energy, and the determination of the Block and Bridle Club members.

The meat block and cleaver inside the top half of the "B" represents the material aspects of life and the profession.

The bridle in the bottom half of the "B" stands for the behavior of Block and Bridle members, the self-control over that members try to maintain, the mannerisms and respect members are expected to show towards others, and the manner in which members treat our livestock.

National Convention

Chapters

Iowa State University

History

In the early years of the college a student organization known as the Agricultural Club was formed to serve all of the Division of Agriculture. Students interested in agriculture were eligible for membership. A high percentage of all agricultural students joined the club and attended weekly meetings. As the departments grew in number and size and curricula became more specialized, a desire and need for departmental clubs developed. An Animal Husbandry club was one of the first to organize. In 1913, the Saddle and Sirloin Club was organized.

In 1919, several members of the Iowa State College Saddle and Sirloin Club met with representatives of similar clubs from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska in Chicago. This group organized on a national basis and chose the name of National Block and Bridle Club. The four clubs represented became the charter members of the national organization, and the Iowa State club changed its name to Block and Bridle.

^[2]

Membership

Membership is open to all students in the university.

Interest Groups

The Iowa State Block & Bridle club is actually further divided down into interest groups:

• Beef Interest Group
• Companion Animal Interest Group
• Horse Interest Group
• Meats Interest Group
• Sheep Interest Group
• Swine Interest Group

Each interest group has their own monthly meetings featuring an industry speaker, and they also take industry trips and host at least one of the Block & Bridle shows or contests.

Activities

From the time of its organization, Block and Bridle has been one of the largest and most active departmental clubs on the campus.

• Summer Sausage & Cheese Sales
• Lamb Show
• 475C Meats Judging Contest
• Freshman Barbecue
• Little North American (LNA)
• National Convention
• Academic Quadrathlon
• Cyclone Classic
• Lamb Sale
• Pig Sale
• Barrow Show
• Horse Show
• Animal Science Banquet
• Cake Auction
• Animal Science Career Day
• Semi-Formal
• VEISHEA Foodstand
• VEISHEA Display
• VEISHEA Float
• Dog Show
• ISU Livestock Judging Contest
• Grill Team
• Publicity
• Scholarship
• Social
• Farm Tours
• Peer Mentoring
• Alumni Association
• Yearbook
• Website

University of Nebraska

History

In 1919, several animal husbandry members met with representatives of similar clubs from Kansas, Missouri and Iowa State in Chicago. This group organized on a national basis and chose the name of National Block and Bridle Club. The four clubs represented became the charter members of the national organization.

Membership

Membership is open to all students in the university.

Meetings

The UNL Block and Bridle meet on every FIRST and THIRD Thursday of each month. Meeting times range from week to week: Initiates - 6:30. General Meeting - 7:30. Meetings usually occur in the East Campus Union.

Executive Team

The University of Nebraska Block & Bridle Club Exec Team for 2007/2008is:

• President: Annie Doerr
• Vice President: Garrett Koester
• Secretary: MaKayla Hirschman
• Treasurer: Jacob Geis
• Marshall: Shantille Kruse
• Assistant Marshall: Andrea Seidel
• Historian: Sarah Goodbrod
• News Reporter: Laura Witte
• Ambassador - Female: Janae Althouse
• Ambassador - Male: Will Davis
• Program Chair: Reesa Hoffschneider
• Social Chair: Whitney Davis
• Sr. Advisor: Dr. Steve Jones
• Jr. Advisor: Dr. Phil Miller
• Fr. Advisor: Dr. Paul Kononoff

Activities

• Nebraska State Fair
• Beef PitState Fair
• Herdmanship
• Barn Tours
• Steak Fry
• Prairie Stomp
• Homecoming Parade
• Regional Meetings
• Kid's Day
• National Meetings
• Little Ak-Sar-Ben
• Little MAEC-Market/Breeding Division
• Holiday Gathering
• State FFA
• Little MAEC
• Big Red Beef Show
• State Ag Ed Contest
• Honors Banquet

References

1. ^ "National Block & Bridle". http://www.blockandbridle.org/.+2007. http://www.blockandbridle.org/. Retrieved 2008-02-22. 
2. ^ "Block & Bridle 21st Convention Report". http://jas.fass.org/cgi/reprint/1940/1/ii.pdf.+December 2, 1940. http://jas.fass.org/cgi/reprint/1940/1/ii.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-22.