Poultry Science Department Funding

The USPOULTRY Foundation has played a vital role in helping our poultry science department recruit students and, subsequently, continue to provide capable young managers to the poultry industry.

Dr. David Caldwell
Poultry Science Department Head
University of Arkansas

The USPOULTRY Foundation funds recruitment and retention efforts at colleges and universities with poultry science departments. Established in 1994, the Foundation has contributed $2,247,867 to participating universities.

This year's poultry science program support grants were awarded to:

University Grant Amount Grant Made Possible By:
Auburn University $33,230 Ingram Farms
Mississippi State University $30,336 Sanderson Farms
North Carolina State University $30,491 Stanley & Dorothy Frank Family Foundation
Texas A&M $49,457 Tyson Foods
University of Arkansas $31,163 Monty and Margot Henderson Student Recruiting Fund
University of Georgia $25,323 Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund
University of Georgia 2022 recipient
Front row from left: Madison Dirst; Blair Bowen; John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY; Todd Applegate, department head and professor at UGA; Leslie Lamb; and Rachel Moncrief. Second row from left: Cason Howard, Anna Lee Garner and Alyssa Rauton. Back row from left: Rhett Murphy, Ky Meeks, Reed Dillard and Logan Waldrop.

Industry Education / Recruitment

The Foundation's support has been essential to the growth of our program. The student recruiting grants have enabled us to triple enrollment in poultry-related courses, which are training the next generation of industry leaders.

Suzanne Bentley
Academic & Career Coordinator
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

The Foundation added Industry Education Recruitment Funding under its umbrella in 2004. The Fund supports student recruitment at colleges and universities that encourage careers in the poultry industry. Any institution of higher education in the United States that offers an identifiable poultry program or can show plausible ways of connecting students with the poultry industry is eligible to apply for a recruitment grant of up to $7,000.


2022 Recipients
Institution Grant Amount Grant Made Possible in Part By:
Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, Ga. $1,175 Don Dalton Student Recruiting Fund
California Polytechnic (Cal Poly) State University $6,660 AJC International
California State University - Fresno $7,000 Agri Stats, Inc
Clemson University $2,875 Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund
Cleveland Community College, N.C. $2,310 Prestage Farms
Iowa State University $4,620 West Liberty Foods
Louisiana State University $4,620 Sanderson Farms
Middle Tennessee State University $6,6300 Pilgrim's
Modesto Junior College, Calif. $7,000 USPOULTRY Staff
North Carolina A&T State University $5,800 Stanley & Dorothy Frank Family Foundation
Prairie View A&M University, Texas $2,310 Pilgrim's
Sam Houston State University, Texas $7,000 Jerry and Cherie Moye
Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas $4,600 Frost PLLC
Tennessee State University $4,620 Tyson Foods
Tennessee Technological University $4,620 Hubbard Farms Charitable Foundation
University of Florida $2,600 Claxton Poultry
University of Mount Olive, N.C. $4,148 Perdue Farms
University of North Georgia $7,000 Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund
University of Tennessee $4,620 Centurion Poultry
University of Wisconsin - River Falls $2,310
Wallace State University $6,938 Peco Foods
Wilkes Community College, N.C. $7,000 Case Farms
Educational graphic
West Liberty Foods Chairman and USPOULTRY Board Member Paul Hill presents a $4,620 student recruiting grant to Iowa State Department of Animal Science Assistant Professor Dawn Koltes and Student and Poultry Interest Group President Katelyn Boeding. Joining in the presentation was Iowa Turkey Federation Director of Communications Morgan Minnehan.

Research Support

USPOULTRY and the Foundation annually allocate approximately $1 million to research grants that benefit all phases of poultry and egg production and processing, bird health, food safety and environmental management.

More than $3 million is currently invested in ongoing research. The grants also support graduate students who will be our future industry leaders and scientists.

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 at the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.

research lab photo
Research

The data generated from the research conducted by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation provides industry members with information that is not only useful immediately but also creates the base for conducting future research on tomorrow's problems. Research summaries are posted on the USPOULTRY website, www.uspoultry.org, and promoted in the industry press.

How the Process Works

Research proposals are judged by a 15-member panel comprised of industry scientists and technical specialists who represent a cross section of disciplines and responsibilities. Panelists evaluate the proposals to determine their value and potential benefit to the poultry and egg industry.

The group's recommendations are referred to USPOULTRY and Foundation boards of directors for funding. In the past, approximately 20 percent of the proposals submitted have received funding. This funding rate exceeds that of most other research grant programs.

Funds can be used for graduate students, technicians, research supplies, and work and meeting travel. Up to 15 percent overhead is allowed. Funds cannot be used for faculty salaries or equipment.

Areas of Need

Proposed research projects should provide information that has the potential to resolve real industry problems. Some of the ongoing needs are:

  • Genetics
  • Nutrition
  • Feed Mill Operations
  • Poultry Housing
  • Pullet, Breeder and Hatchery Management
  • Commercial Egg Production
  • Broiler and Market Turkey Management
  • Live Haul
  • Diseases
  • Processing
  • Food Safety
  • Further Processing
  • Packaging
  • Rendering
  • Waste Management
  • Human Nutrition
Research Tubes image
Students at FFA meeting

Student Outreach

Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. The USPOULTRY Foundation recognizes that attracting top young managers, leaders and scientists will have a tremendous impact on the future of the poultry industry. Therefore, USPOULTRY sponsors and participates in a number of programs designed to assist students interested in the poultry industry. Each program focuses on the development of the students' understanding of the industry.

image of students