Issue date: 4/27/04 Section: News

After years of unsuccessful attempts to establish a presence at Texas A&M, FarmHouse Fraternity officially chartered its A&M chapter April 17.

Cody Gladney, a sophomore animal science major and president of A&M FarmHouse Fraternity, said the University's traditional lack of Greek interest was the main reason the fraternity had previously failed at establishing a chapter at A&M.

"We like to consider ourselves the uncommon fraternity," Gladney said.
FarmHouse Fraternity was established in Columbia, Mo., in 1905. It was originally started by University of Missouri students, most of whom came from agricultural backgrounds, who wanted to form an agricultural club. It comprises 29 active chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
"FarmHouse has always had a strong base in ag, but we want diversity," Gladney said. "We are open to all majors."

A&M is the seventh Big 12 school where FarmHouse has issued a charter.

Other Big 12 schools include The University of Missouri, Kansas State University, The University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, Iowa State University and Texas Tech University.

Jonathan Hawley, director of chapter services for FarmHouse International Fraternity, said FarmHouse has always strived to be a part of the world's most reputable agricultural schools.

"The ideals that (FarmHouse) have would go together quite well with the ideals that Aggies have," he said.

Hawley said the goal of FarmHouse is to build men intellectually, spiritually, socially, morally and physically.

Hawley and Gladney said FarmHouse's most notable alumnus is Texas country music singer/songwriter Pat Green, who was a member of the Texas Tech chapter.

Dale Pracht, adviser to the A&M FarmHouse chapter and assistant director for experiential education at the A&M Career Center, said FarmHouse and A&M are a good match because of the traditions the University has and the strong values that the students possess.

Pracht, a graduate of Kansas State and FarmHouse alumnus, said the fraternity contributed a lot to his education and the development of his leadership skills.

"FarmHouse has been an integral part of my life," Pracht said. "Helping establish the A&M chapter has been a rewarding opportunity to give back to the fraternity."

Shannon Redwine, a sophomore agricultural development major and recruiting co-chair for A&M FarmHouse, said most current members of FarmHouse did not want to be in a fraternity.

"We have guys that wore 'No Frats' shirts that are now in our fraternity," Redwine said.

Redwine said the reason FarmHouse was successful in establishing an A&M chapter was the fact that there were many student leaders within the fraternity that pushed for its establishment.

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