Strong Relationships Build Bright Futures – USPoultry Supports PDPS Recruitment

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPoultry) continued more than twenty years of support of the Prestage Department of Poultry Science (PDPS) with a donation via the USPoultry Harold E. Ford Foundation for the 2018-2019 academic year. The USPoultry board of directors established the Foundation in 1994 to grant annual recruiting funds to attract students to poultry studies and careers in the poultry industry.

USPoultry contributed over $30,000 to help PDPS attract a diverse population to poultry science programs. John Starkey, President of USPoultry, and Bob Ford, Executive Director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation, presented the donation check during a visit to PDPS’ campus home in Scott Hall.

Educating and preparing students for success in life and careers is essential for a thriving poultry industry – USPoultry donates funds to support PDPS recruitment efforts. Funds cover a variety of events and activities that reach hundreds of North Carolina youth 5-18.

On the Ground and Around N.C.

Lynn Worley-Davis, Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator, coordinates many of the recruitment efforts generously funded by USPoultry. Her recent report on activities during the 2017-2018 academic year highlighted the multiple ways the department engages with N.C. communities.

The Poultry Science Summer Institute offers high school students from around N.C. (and, in 2018, the U.S.) the opportunity to live and learn at NC State with poultry faculty, staff and students.

The Youth Market Turkey Show and multiple FFA events bring hands-on poultry events to hundreds of N.C. youth as they raise turkeys, demonstrate poultry judging and compete to showcase their poultry and egg knowledge.

Rising high school seniors can participate in the Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) while rising sophomores can take advantage of the STEM Satellite program.

Poultry Science Club

Once they get to NC State, students can contribute to the same programs that recruited them through participation in the Poultry Science Club (PSC) on campus. With 45 members, the club attracts almost half of poultry science undergrads on campus.

PSC members volunteer at many of the recruitment events, embodying the programs’ efficacy. These students reflect Worley-Davis’ statement that “our students are the best advocates for our department and our industry.”

Our students are [our] best advocates.

Building the Future

USPoultry’s contributions to PDPS help build the future of poultry production, North Carolina’s leading agricultural industry.

With 95 undergraduate majors, 11 minors and 79 Ag Institute students with poultry as part of their program, PDPS is teaching the future poultry leaders of N.C. and the U.S.

In 2017-2018, 43 graduates entered poultry and allied industries, applied to graduate or professional school or are considering their future options. And the future is bright with a PDPS degree – 95% of graduates have a job when they finish.

Look for PDPS in your community and see how USPoultry’s generosity helps us think and do.