The USPOULTRY Foundation awarded a $10,000 student recruiting grant to Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in University Park, Pa. The Poultry and Avian Science minor (PAS) was established at Penn State in 2005. The Animal Science major offers two primary tracks, one focused on veterinary medicine and research and the other on industry and business. Both tracks include poultry-related courses, such as avian physiology, poultry production and poultry evaluation.

In addition, students from a variety of disciplines—including Agriculture Science, Agricultural Business and Management, Food Science, Veterinary and Biomedical Science, and Agriculture and Extension Majors—also pursue the PAS minor. The program benefits from the expertise of seven faculty members specializing in poultry and avian science, covering areas such as physiology, nutrition and feed manufacturing, welfare, egg production and quality, layer and breeder production, metabolism, functional genomics, genetic engineering, diseases, meat quality, reproductive biology, endocrinology and processing/products.

To strengthen engagement with the poultry industry, the poultry program actively supports 4-H and National FFA poultry initiatives, while recruiting and engaging youth interested in pursuing poultry science. Last year, the Penn State Extension reached more than 204,000 youth statewide. Historically, more than 70% of students in the PAS minor have come from 4-H or FFA poultry programs.

Grant funding will enhance recruitment efforts and support youth-focused poultry programs, such as the Youth Poultry 101 Program, across Pennsylvania. The goal is to cultivate a lasting interest in poultry science among young people. Offered annually to youth ages 12-19, Youth Poultry 101 expands participants' knowledge on key poultry science topics, including disease management, nutrition, incubation, breeding and show preparation, among others.

The USPOULTRY Foundation board approved student recruiting grants totaling $324,215 to 28 colleges and universities across the U.S. with a poultry science department or industry-related degree program. The Foundation provides annual recruiting and retention funds to colleges and universities to attract or connect students to their poultry programs or industry. The grants were made possible in part by gifts to the USPOULTRY Foundation from companies, individuals and families, in addition to funds earned over the years from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.