The USPOULTRY Foundation awarded a $7,000 student recruiting grant to Wilkes Community College. The grant was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Case Farms. Attending the check presentation from Wilkes Community College were Stacie Taylor, chair of Applied Engineering Tech; Frank Blevins, lead instructor for the Animal Science and Poultry Programs; Dr. Jeff Cox, president; Allison Phillips, vice president of Institutional Advancement; Ronald Dollyhite, dean of Applied Career Technologies; and several students.
Funds from this award will be used for high school visits and recruitment, attendance at the North Carolina FFA state convention and the national FFA convention, promotional materials and youth education and outreach.
“Wilkes Community College is thrilled to partner with the USPOULTRY Foundation on this grant. It allows us to provide educational opportunities for the community that includes students of all ages. WCC’s Applied Animal Science and Poultry Management Technology programs prepare students for careers in the production of beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, goats and swine as well as other careers related to the animal science industry,” commented Blevins.
The USPOULTRY Foundation board approved student recruiting grants totaling $302,510 to 26 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.
