US POULTRY Foundation Awards WCC $7,000 Grant

US POULTRY Foundation awards WCC $7,000 grant

WILKESBORO, N.C. – Wilkes Community College’s (WCC) Applied Animal Science Technology program was awarded a $7,000 grant from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation (USPOULTRY) through a gift given in part by Case Farms. Grant monies are to help recruit students to the program to train for employment in the poultry industry. The foundation provides annual recruiting and retention funds to colleges and universities to attract students to their poultry programs.

Frank Blevins, lead instructor for the Animal Science and Poultry Management Technology programs stated, “We are grateful for the continued support of the US Poultry Foundation. This funding allows WCC to offer educational opportunities to students of all ages. WCC’s Applied Animal Science and Poultry Management Technology programs equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in poultry production and other animal science-related industries.

The poultry industry adds millions annually to local, regional, and state economies. Wilkes County ranks second in the state in broiler (poultry) production, third in the state in all forms of cattle production, tenth for egg production, and third in the state in beef cattle production. Alleghany and Ashe counties rank twelfth and thirteenth, respectively, in the state in all forms of cattle production. For more information about the Animal Science or Poultry Management Technology programs at Wilkes Community College, contact Frank Blevins at 336-838-6188 or fd**********@wi******.edu.

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association established the USPOULTRY Foundation in 1994 to provide student recruiting funds to universities with poultry science departments. In 2004, the Poultry Science Education Funding Program, now named the Industry Education Recruitment Funding Program, was added to the Foundation’s umbrella so other colleges and universities that offer industry-related studies are eligible to apply for recruiting grants. 

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.

Photo credit: Bethany Swaim

Front row l-r: Marty Parsons, Ezekial Wiggins, Frank Blevins, Epiphany Roten, Kristen Macemore, Ronald Dollyhite