High Schoolers Tour Facilities, Prepare Dishes at Poultry Science Youth Conference

Photo by Sara Landis

The annual Poultry Science Youth Conference each summer informs high school students about poultry industry careers and gives them the opportunity to prepare their own dishes.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – High school students from around the state got an up-close look at the University of Arkansas and the Department of Poultry Science during the summer.

Twenty-seven students were on campus for the 22nd Annual Poultry Science Youth Conference in July.

They spent time on campus, in the department, the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Activities included tours, industry presentations and hands-on experiences designed to expose them to poultry science careers and create an interest in the industry.

Students also spent time at the Tyson Discovery Center. They learned how food technologists develop new products, and prepared dishes using recipes developed by Tyson chefs with chicken and fresh ingredients. Each student presented their dish to the group.

"We wanted students to get a feel for how complex the poultry industry is and how many different opportunities are available to our students once they complete their studies," said Gary Davis, undergraduate student recruiter for poultry science.

Following the experience at the Tyson Discovery Center, students returned to Center of Excellence for Poultry Science labs and the test kitchen, and developed their own products using skills and information learned during exercises at Tyson. Each team gave final presentations before faculty members and parents during a closing ceremony.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.