The USPOULTRY Foundation awarded a $7,000student recruiting grant to the University of North Georgia. The grant was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from the Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund and was presented to Linda Purvis, assistant professor of poultry science.
A portion of the funds will be used to support the university’s poultry science program efforts within the Agriculture Science Department. Funds will also be used by theP oultry Science Club to host several outreach events on campus, including a “Poultry 101” event that is open to local students,grades 5-12. The event allows community students to learn about the poultry industry and practice their poultry judging skills, as well as tour the campus and learn about poultry industry career opportunities.
Additional funds will be used to support further education about the poultry industry among the university’s agriculture students.This includes visiting the USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program at the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo, where the students can interview for full-time careers and internship opportunities.
In September 2019, the USPOULTRY Foundation board approved student recruiting grants totaling $383,577 to 35 colleges and universities across the United States with a poultry science department or industry-related degree program. The USPOULTRY Foundation provides annual recruiting funds to colleges and universities to attract students to their poultry programs. The grants are made possible by gifts to the Foundation from companies, individuals and families, in addition to funds earned over the years at the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.