TUCKER, Ga. — The USPOULTRY Foundation has awarded three more student recruiting grants to University of North Georgia—Gainesville Campus, Cleveland Community College, and the University of Delaware. UNG-Gainesville received $10,000; Cleveland Community College received $7,000, and Delaware received $6,280.
UNG, a four-year institution, offers an associate of science degree with an emphasis in agriculture/poultry science, where students can choose between two academic pathways, avian biology and poultry science, USPOULTRY noted. Once students complete their A.S. degree, they can stay at UNG to earn a four-year degree in business or science, or transfer to another institution to continue their education in agriculture or poultry science.
In fact, recently, UNG announced that it would be partnering with Mississippi State University to enter an agreement that would allow students in their agriculture-poultry science program to easily transfer to MSU’s poultry science program to earn their bachelor’s degree. The agreement guarantees that all of a student’s credits will be transferred to MSU’s bachelor’s program.
In addition to this new partnership, UNG has also developed a Poultry Science Certificate program that is designed for business majors or post-baccalaureate students seeking additional knowledge and training in poultry science, USPOULTRY added.
This one-year program combines poultry science and business classes to prepare students for a job in the industry, specifically on the business or management side.
The money from this grant will go towards several recruitment and outreach initiatives, such as marketing materials for the certificate program and agriculture-poultry science degree, recruitment events, and UNG’s “Poultry 101” outreach event that brings prospective students to campus for hands-on learning and industry exposure, USPOULTRY said.
In North Carolina, Cleveland Community College in Shelby, N.C. offers an applied animal science program that is available as a one-year diploma, a two-year associate in applied science degree, or a short-term certificate, USPOULTRY said. These different formats give students options to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the industry.
CCC is dedicated to providing hands-on learning experiences as they recently acquired a historic barn for small-scale livestock demonstrations. The program also frequently engages with the industry by hosting field trips and joint events with Case Farms, and the Farm Bureau.
The USPOULTRY Foundation grant will allow the school to continue engaging with the community and industry through recruitment and outreach efforts. For example, funds will go towards middle and high school visits, classroom presentations, and participation in careers fairs, as well as recruitment materials, USPOULTRY noted.
Additionally, the grant will go towards events like mock poultry judging clinics, agritourism events, and field trips, USPOULTRY added.
In the Delmarva region, the University of Delaware is a land grant, four-year institution where poultry science is a core component in both its undergraduate and graduate programs. The school offers a total of 25 courses that include poultry-specific components, providing students with extensive exposure to poultry production, health and research, USPOULTRY stated.
The grant funds from USPOULTRY Foundation will go towards UD’s undergraduate recruitment and outreach events, the Animal Agriculture Careers Seminar Series, and student participation in the university’s presence at the Delaware State Fair.
These grants are the USPOULTRY Foundation’s latest display of dedication to the next generation of poultry professionals. The funds will allow universities and colleges to actively pursue students who are interested in the poultry industry.
