AgDiscovery Program Educates Students About Agriculture in Arkansas

Michael Looper

Students learn about dairy farming at Simon Dairy.

AgDiscovery, a summer camp outreach program designed to help middle- through high-school-aged students explore careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness, plant pathology, aquaculture and much more, hosted faculty from the U of A Department of Animal Science June 16. This two- to four-week program allows participants to live on a college campus and explore agricultural science with university professors, practicing veterinarians, industry representatives and professionals working for the U.S. government. Students who participate in AgDiscovery experience hands-on labs, workshops, field trips and other group and team-building activities.

The U of A at Pine Bluff hosted this year's Arkansas AgDiscovery program. The Department of Animal Science was invited to speak to a group of about 30 students at Simon Dairy in Conway, Arkansas, who boasted the highest milk production in the state in 2007, as well as Farm Family of the Year in 2006.

Mike Looper, Animal Science Department Head, gave a presentation to the students about the dairy farming industry.

"AgDiscovery is a great program that provides real-world experiences and hands-on activities for young people interested in agriculture," Looper said. "Animal Science appreciates the opportunity to share animal production careers with participants."

Looper commended the example of Simon Dairy as a successful Arkansas dairy operation for the students. Matt Simon, who co-owns the farm with his brothers, Jason and Frederic, and father, Mike, began in the dairy industry in 1994 after graduating with a degree in Animal Science from the U of A.

"Simon Dairy is a great family operation that provides a safe and wholesome product to Arkansans daily," Looper said. "It's great to visit with successful UA alumni who inspire the next generation of food producers."

The students visited several other agricultural operations throughout their stay at AgDiscovery. The Department is very excited to see how these students add value to the agriculture industry in Arkansas in future years.

The AgDiscovery program was initiated as a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) Veterinary Services pilot program in 2002. This year, the program has a total of 22 universities hosting AgDiscovery programs at college campuses nationwide. Funding for AgDiscovery is enabled through cooperative agreements between APHIS and the host universities.