FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As part of the new student experience initiative in U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, a bus tour to several major businesses, companies and organizations around the state will allow students to get a personal view of those operations and visit with leaders, executives and decision makers.

Freshmen and sophomores across all majors and concentrations in Bumpers College have the chance to register for the two-day trip featuring stops related to agriculture, human environmental sciences, government and policy, and advocacy.

The chartered bus trip is Monday and Tuesday, May 11-12, departing from and returning to the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center on Garland.

Spots are open for 40 Bumpers College freshmen and sophomores, who will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested students, faculty and staff are asked to pick up registration materials in the Student Services Office (AFLS E-202) before March 13. All associated fees are covered by the college — transportation, meals, snacks and lodging.

A tentative itinerary includes visits at Heifer International Village, the Arkansas State Capitol, the Arkansas State Extension Office, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Services, Arkansas Farm Bureau and Post Familie Winery. Stops with other industry connections will be added, including potential visits with Dillard's Inc., as well as Farm Credit, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Hospitality Association and more.

The itinerary will be updated here.

"We are excited to offer this opportunity and lead a group of young freshmen and sophomores from across the college on our bus tour," said Lucas Simmons, senior advisor and student experience coordinator. "The trip will highlight ag, food and life science industries, and also provide opportunities for students to network with other students, faculty and staff throughout our majors and concentrations. We'll explore the food and fiber industry in Arkansas, connect with industry professionals and leaders, and experience the interconnectedness of our majors together."

Students check in from 7-8 a.m. on May 11 and leave Fayetteville, and return at 6 p.m. on May 12.

For more information, contact Simmons at lmsimmon@uark.edu.

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. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

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 3 percent of colleges and 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.