Training Program at Perdue Boosts Career Readiness for CALS Grad

Madison Turano graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from NC State University’s  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in May. But she wasn’t ready to launch into her targeted role. Instead, the Wilmington, North Carolina, native is extending her education to gain in-the-field experience through a year-long, full-time position at Perdue Farms as a feed mill management trainee. Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agriculture company with several poultry farms and facilities in North Carolina. 

Turano spoke to CALS about how her training at Perdue is preparing her for a career in the food animal industry and her goal of becoming a feed mill manager.

Why did you choose to work at Perdue? 

I interviewed at a couple of places. However, I wanted a job that would provide a structural transition from college to professional life while keeping me in animal production. The cool thing about Perdue’s program is that it offers professional development and leadership training through corporate. 

Describe your work at Perdue. 

There are two tracks: live management and operations. Live management personnel work with the live birds, like your hatchery and flock advisor. I’m in the feed mill, which falls under live management, though I don’t handle any animals. Operations include the poultry processing facilities and packaging.

During the first six months, I’ll rotate through every department. I’ll spend most of my time at the feed mill, but I’ll also visit the hatcheries, breeder facilities and the processing plant. During the second six months, I’ll conduct a project at my designated feed mill to improve production efficiency. My manager and I have considered using artificial intelligence to measure our metrics. 

I’ll also learn grain and soybean oilseed production, crushing and extraction at Perdue AgriBusiness (a Perdue Farms subsidiary) in Cofield, North Carolina. I’ll go through the entire feed mill, learning about receiving, batching and mixing, pelleting, crumbling, and dispatch and delivery. I’ll also spend time with the truck drivers and feed mill operators to understand how the feed mill operates, since my goal is to move up to feed mill manager after my training year ends. 

How does this experience build on your CALS coursework? 

I’m using all of the skills I gained from the animal care labs and my nutrition and feed milling classes; my education from NC State provides the base upon which I can solve problems. My teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills have helped me solve issues in real time. I’m applying the production skills and data analysis I learned while conducting research, which improves efficiency.

What insights have you gained during your training? 

Perdue’s strong values apply to all aspects of production. We spent an entire day reviewing the vision, values and why we do what we do at Perdue. It was interesting to see the values in practice versus only seeing them hanging on a wall.

Perdue’s operations are complex. We import organic grains from Africa, and then we bring the grain to Perdue AgriBusiness. We make the soybean meal that goes to the feed mill, creating the feed for the birds. There are so many steps and people involved. Everybody has an important role. 

How has this opportunity helped you clarify your career goals? 

I have opportunities to learn all parts of the business, so I can see where I fit best. There are opportunities for improvement in research and development. I’d like to do research at Perdue, and they’ll keep that door open once I get my feet on the ground. Perdue has growth opportunities. They hire from within, and they do their best to accommodate you. If you start in North Carolina and want to expand professionally while remaining local, they have opportunities in-state, so you don’t have to relocate.

I feel a sense of purpose here. It feels important that we’re feeding the world’s growing population. I’m surrounded by kind, genuine people, and I enjoy who I work with. It’s always great when you wake up with a smile and go to work.