By Blake Jackson
Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) recently received a $7,000 grant from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Foundation to support recruitment for its agribusiness program. This funding aims to attract new students interested in agriculture, particularly in the poultry sector.
The U.S. Poultry and Egg Foundation, established to support education and training for careers in poultry, awarded the grant through its Industry Education Recruitment Fund. HLGU’s agribusiness program, a part of its business administration degree, provides both academic knowledge and hands-on agricultural experience.
The university maintains a demonstration farm with turkeys and chickens to initiate egg production, as well as a small grain operation. Plans to include feeder cattle are in development. This practical setup allows agribusiness students to gain real-world skills in farm management and daily operations alongside their classroom studies.
The grant will fund the creation of a video, flyers, and other promotional materials to use at recruitment events, high schools, and FFA visits. These materials aim to generate interest in HLGU’s agribusiness program and to encourage students to consider careers in the poultry industry.
“HLGU is pleased to receive this grant award from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Foundation and will use these funds to market agribusiness careers,” said agribusiness instructor Will Stuflick. “In the tristate region, rural agriculture communities are facing a workforce shortage due to declining numbers of high school students being exposed to agriculture career opportunities. HLGU is committed to assisting our local workforce partners to train and recruit high school students into the agribusiness career pathway.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wikoski
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Poultry