Temple Grandin to visit BGSU

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Dr. Temple Grandin is primarily known for two things—her expertise on animal care and handling and the award-winning HBO movie “Temple Grandin,” which focuses on her autism.

Grandin will be in Wood County next month to address both topics. She is the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Autism Summit of Northwest Ohio June 10 at Bowling Green State University. On June 9, she will talk with area livestock producers and people with an interest in farm animals.

The Autism Summit of Northwest Ohio will feature Grandin for the majority of the program, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Lenhart Grand Ballroom. She will discuss her early years during the morning session and her later years during the afternoon program. Grandin will take questions from the audience during both sessions. The conference begins with an update from local, regional and state agencies providing services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

The cost for ballroom seating is $59. Attendees can also watch the presentation in 206 Union via a live video stream for $20. A certificate with contact hours will cost $10.

The summit was started under the direction of Drs. Ellen Williams and Lessie Cochran in BGSU’s School of Intervention Services, with assistance from Ann Light, associate director of Continuing and Extended Education. Since 2001, keynote speakers have presented information and training opportunities for teachers, speech/language pathologists, psychologists, other professionals, and parents of individuals on the spectrum.

It is sponsored by Robert and Nancy Williams, BGSU’s School of Intervention Services,  College of Education and Human Development and Office of Marketing and Communications; the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Wood County Educational Services Center.

For more information or to register, contact the Office of Continuing and Extended Education at 419-372-8181 or visit http://cee.bgsu.edu/autism2011.

The June 9 event, sponsored by the Wood County Beef Producers, Farm Bureau, Great Lakes Family Farms, Pineland Farms Natural Meats, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Ohio State University Extension, will be held in Cygnet at the Nichols Farms.

Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, is also a best-selling author and consultant to the livestock industry. She admits her autism has helped her gain insight into the minds of cattle, which has allowed her to develop methods to treat livestock more humanely at farms, livestock yards and slaughter facilities.

When she started working in the cattle industry, she was one of just a few women in the feedlots. She eventually made inroads because of her unique perspective. Her livestock handling systems worked, and an auditing system she helped create helped many of the large facilities comply with requirements to supply beef to companies such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King, she explained in an online interview.

A meal will be served at the farm at 6 p.m., followed by Grandin’s presentation and a question and answer session. After the presentation, visitors are invited to tour the livestock handling facilities with Grandin. The event is free and open to the public; however, reservations are requested by June 3 by calling 419-354-6916 or 419-354-9050.

Nichols Farm is located at the southeast corner of Cygnet Road and Washington Street.

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(Posted May 27, 2011 )