SD State AGR History
Founded in the fall of 1956, Charles Benrud created what was called Mu Beta Beta, which means "to make the best better". It was designed as a college home for men with 4-H backgrounds. In 1957, the 4-H stipulation was dropped and renamed to Hobo Hall. It was later discontinued in the spring of 1958.
In the Fall of 1958, Ag House Society was formed by Charles Benrud with an initial number of 19 members. A petition to Alpha Gamma Rho was submitted to become a colony in 1959. The chapter was officially grated it's charter in on April 25th, 1964. The 19 members plus 17 more were initiated to the chapter.
The house moved a few times before construction began in 1974 at our current location. The house was finished in the summer of 1976 and members moved into the house in the fall of 1976. It was the very first house that was built on what is now known as Greek Row.
Our House Mother
Donna Robinson (Mamma D)
AGR is the only fraternity at South Dakota State University with a house mother. Our house mother makes homemade meals for us during the week, helps with everyday events, and is our biggest supporter!
"My name is Donna Robinson, Mama D to my guys! One of my passions is cooking and baking, which drew me to the position of housemother for AGR. I have two sons of my own, so I felt very comfortable coming into a house full of guys. I'm a family-oriented person, so to me this house is family, and my hope is that it is the same way for the guys. My favorite things to do with the guys is watching them play flag football and basketball. I love attending the Jack's events with them as well. This is not a job to me, it is a blessing!"
Involvement
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show is a livestock show that is put on by SD State AGR and Block and Bridle. Jackrabbits Memorial continues to honor the lives of Brent Beitelspacher, DJ Fischer, Logan Rau, Nick Reimann, and Lisa Johnson. This show enables families of these individuals to ensure the passion they each had for the livestock industry is passed onto future generations.
Little International
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show
We are involved in Little International which is the largest two-day student-run livestock exhibition in the nation. The event allows students to gain skills in showmanship, animal husbandry, and agriculture-based career paths. In addition to showing livestock, students may participate in wool judging, meats judging, dairy product creation, machinery sales, and more.
State-A-Thon
Jackrabbit Memorial Jackpot Show
Community Philanthropy
Every year, AGR has a team at our school's State-A-Thon. State-A-Thon is a part of a nationwide Dance Marathon movement. Over 300 campuses across the US work to raise money for Children's Miracle Network. All the money we raise goes to the Sanford Children's Castle of Care in Sioux Falls to support children of this area that are in the hospital.
Community Philanthropy
Community Philanthropy
Community Philanthropy
We regularly volunteer time to our local community to help out in different ways, from cleaning up a local wilderness area, assisting with campus events, helping with Habitat For Humanity, to even fixing wheelchairs.
Tailgate
Community Philanthropy
Campus Clubs
AGR has a regular tailgate spot for all home football games. At all home games, we will be out celebrating and cheering on our team! We also regularly attend all other types of sporting events to cheer on our school, including volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and more.
Campus Clubs
Community Philanthropy
Campus Clubs
AGR has high involvement with different clubs here at South Dakota State University. From Precision Agriculture Club, to Joint Engineering Council, to Ducks Unlimited, we have members in all kinds of clubs and have members on the executive board of a lot of them.