Hollywood Scientist Set to Appear at Kansas State!

 

 Photo courtesy of http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Sorry for my hiatus in blogging, dear friends.  Last week my project consumed my life and I just haven't gotten back into the swing of blogging regularly.  However, today I've got great news - which you may have already heard about but if not, check it out!

Temple Grandin, PhD, will be coming to K-State on November 9-10 to give two lectures.  The first will be on November 9th at 7pm in Forum Hall in the KSU Student Union.  The lecture is entitled, "The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Look at the Science".  On Wednesday, November 10, Temple will be speaking in the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine in Frick Auditorium and will be giving a lecture about dogs and cat health/welfare.  Both events will be very thought provoking and exciting!

Temple is probably the most functional autistic person in the world and has written several books about how her autism has helped give her insight to how animals behave and possibly, feel.  She has authored hundreds of journal articles and designed over half of the animal handling facilities at slaughter plants in the United States.  Recently, the movie about Temple's life, Temple Grandin, won 7 Emmy awards.  She is a truly amazing person and we're so excited to host her at KSU!

Temple's visit is co-sponsored by Food For Thought and KSU's University Programming Council.  Follow me on twitter for more Temple updates in the coming weeks!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Temple takes the Emmy's by storm!

Temple Grandin, the movie, won 7 EMMY AWARDS! Last night, the woman who many people don't even know about made a huge impact at the Emmy's.  However, when I googled "Temple Grandin + Emmy's" this morning the first 3 hits were "Temple Grandin wins big, who is she?" 

She is an advocate for autism, diagnosed at the age of 2, and has written several books and journal articles about animal behavior, animal welfare and how being autistic has enabled her to think like an animal.  She has designed over 50% of the slaughter facilities in the United States and travels to all over the world teaching her safe and low stress animal handling methods.

Temple will be visiting K-State on November 9th and 10th to lecture about how austism has influenced her life and career.  Temple's visit is being sponsored and organized by Kansas State University's Food For Thought.  Below is a red carpet interview with Dr. Grandin and five of the seven Emmy's that Temple Grandin, the movie, earned:




TV MOVIE Temple Grandin

(HBO)OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A TV MOVIE, MINISERIES OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Claire Danes (Temple Grandin)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION IN A TV MOVIE, MINISERIES OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Mick Jackson (Temple Grandin)

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A TV MOVIE, MINISERIES OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
David Strathairn (Temple Grandin)

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A TV MOVIE, MINISERIES OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Julia Ormond (Temple Grandin)
I have a feeling that a lot more people are going to learn who Temple Grandin is. Congratulationst to the cast and crew! If you haven't seen the movie, do it - it will change your life.  You can buy it here. Or you can read any one of here numerous books - visit her website for a full list of resources about animal handling and autism.
Until next time,
~Buzzard~

"Nature is cruel but we don't have to be" - Temple Grandin

Well, I just finished watching 'Temple Grandin' and it was fabulous.  It solidified my desire to work with her on both my Master's projects and also attend CSU to pursue my PhD.  If you missed it, it will be on HBO again at 10:45.  You can look up a program schedule for the next two weeks by visiting HBO's site.

It not only tells the story of one of our industry's greatest pioneers, but it's a deeply moving and inspiring story of overcoming all odds and 'opening doors' to new challenges.  She encourages us not to be cruel like nature and since we raise cattle for our consumption we owe them some respect.  We owe it to be humane to them.  I strongly encourage all agriculturalists, producers and consumers to see it. I'm going to watch it again in an hour and a half! 

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Don't Forget Temple!

A looong time ago, I posted about the HBO movie 'Temple Grandin' that was going to be released soon ('Temple Grandin - HBO Biopic' 11/17/09).  Well soon means this Saturday, February 6 at 7pm on HBO.  I repeat, Saturday February 6th at 7 pm.  The movie displays Dr. Grandin's life from high school (when she was expelled) to the creation of Grandin Livestock Handling Systems.

Dr. Grandin is a professor at Colorado State University (CSU) and a pioneer for the livestock industry, designing over 1/3 of the world's livestock handling systems.  She has written several books, hundreds of articles and speaks to conferences and universities on a regular basis.  In fact, she will be in Manhattan, KS for the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare.  Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend because I'll be on my way to South Africa - but that's for another day. You can learn more about the Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium and how to register for it by visiting this site http://www.isbcw.beefcattleinstitute.org/.


Goodbye and don't forget to turn your tv to HBO this Saturday, February 6th at 7pm for the movie 'Temple Grandin'
 
Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Temple Grandin - HBO Biopic

Temple Grandin has been changing the livestock production industry for the past 25+ years. She has basically written the book on handling facilities and reducing the amount of stress animals undergo in the harvesting phase of production. One of the most highly functional autistic people in the world, she overcame her disorder to write numerous scientific papers and books about safe handling practices, give insight to parents with autistic children and start her own consulting business. Among her most popular titles are Thinking in Pictures, Animals in Translation and Emergence: Labeled Autistic. She is currently an Animal Science professor at Colorado State University and is highly decorated for her work and progress in the industry. She is the founder of Grandin Livestock Handling Systems and, to date, she has designed over 1/3 of the livestock handling facilities in the world.

To honor Dr. Grandin's conquer of autistic obstacles and her numerous industry accomplishments HBO has announced a February 2010 release of the breakthrough biopic Temple Grandin - Thinking in Pictures. Dr. Grandin will be played by Claire Danes (The Family Stone, Shopgirl, Romeo + Juliet) whose spot on depiction of Dr. Grandin's autism has been described by Grandin's assistant as "so convincing, it sent shivers down my spine." The film will highlight Grandin's life through the 60's and 70's - from her expulsion from high school to the establishment of Grandin Livestock Handling Systems.

I have yet to see a trailer for the movie but it is safe to say that this is a must-see for anyone in the animal agriculture industry. The movie highlights the life and achievements of one of the pioneers for animal welfare and activism. The above picture is Claire Danes in costume with the 400 lb. mechanical calf used in the film.

For more information on the movie or Dr. Grandin's biography you can visit theses sites.

Dr. Grandin's interview about her upcoming biopic: http://beefmagazine.com/cowcalfweekly/1031-temple-grandin-hbo-biopic/

Dr. Grandin's autobiography: http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2006-Ei-La/Grandin-Temple.html

Until next time

~~Buzzard~~