The
Penn State 
Poultry
Science Club
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The Poultry Science Club
continues to provide students that have an interest in poultry, with an excellent
opportunity to become involved in a number of activities to broaden their
educational experiences while at Penn State.
Club
Meetings
Club meetings are twice a month throughout Fall and Spring semesters.
The meetings are a time to discuss and plan our events. We invite people from
the poultry industry to come and speak with us. After the business meeting
we usually end with some leisure time in which to socialize and enjoy refreshments.
Fundraising
During the 2002-2003 academic year, the Club conducted two very successful
turkey marketing campaigns. Approximately 450 turkeys were processed at the
Poultry Education and Research Center at Penn State by Club members and marketed
as fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving. Another 75 turkeys were smoked and marketed
for the Easter sale. Revenues from these sales are used to support a number
of Club events during the year.
Farm
Show
Each year Club members
venture to Harrisburg and attend the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. They
volunteer to help at the food booth of the Poultry Council sponsored by PennAg
Industries Association. The crowds attending Farm Show enjoy the chicken sandwiches,
nuggets, and wings. Club members enjoy a free lunch.
International
Poultry Exposition
In mid-January,
Club members go down south to Atlanta, Georgia. Fifteen members attended the
International Poultry Exposition where they explored company and equipment
exhibits from around the world. During the Exposition seniors interviewed
for jobs with a number of poultry and allied poultry companies. The Club members
also had an opportunity through a program organized by the U.S. Poultry and
Egg Association (formerly the Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association) to
meet and visit with students from a number of other universities and to spend
time visiting the exhibit hall. The students have the opportunity to interview
for internships and full-time employment. At night, the fun starts with good
food, good friends and ends with a small nap before morning. One of the highlights
during the stay in Atlanta was to learn that the Penn State Poultry Science
Club had been recognized by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association for having
submitted the most outstanding scrapbook of activities for the year for the
fourth consecutive year. This award followed the selection of the Penn State
Poultry Science Club as the Club of the Year in 2002/2003. Students who've
made the trip say it is exhausting but definitely worth it.
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Industry
Visits
Field trips to Pennsylvania
poultry industry are enjoyed as an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom.
Students get to see biosecurity measures in action. In the past, some interesting
pictures have been taken of Club members dressed in disposable hats, coveralls
and shoe coverings.
Community
Service
Community service
projects are carried out each semester. We worked at the local Food Bank where
we packed groceries into bags prior to distribution. We then helped to organize
one of the Food Bank's storage rooms. In 2003 the Club also prepared Easter
Baskets for less fortunate children in the Centre County region. As a Club
we find it very rewarding to do this kind of community work.
Spring
Banquet
On Friday evening
the last week of classes, we hold our annual Spring Banquet. Club members,
family, friends and guests join in recognizing various student accomplishments
and honors. Guest speaker at the 2003 Banquet was Dr. Robert Owen, Director
of Veterinary and Technical Services for Hubbard ISA. Two alumni, John Menges
and David Boyer of Pilgrim's Pride, Inc. in New Oxford, PA were invited as
guest speakers at the 2002 Banquet. Mr. James Perdue, Chairman of the Board,
Perdue Farms, Inc., Salisbury, MD was our guest speaker in 2001. Following
dinner and a presentation by the guest speaker(s), award winners are announced
and new Club officers are introduced.
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Industry
Internships
During the summer,
several Club members participate in internships, gaining valuable exposure
to the poultry industry. A new class in the Spring allowed students to learn
more about their company by shadowing employees. This class is called Externships
and it has been well represented by Poultry Science Club members.
PS
Club in CAS
Activities in which the Club participates, sponsored by the College of Agricultural
Sciences, include the Animal Products Tailgate - held during the first home
football game - where free products are provided to visitors at the educational
booth. The Poultry Science Club brings chicken, turkey and hard boiled eggs.
The Ag Hill Olympics is normally held in late September or early October.
Each participating Club sponsors an "Olympic" event, as well as
a 4 member team. Imagine putting an egg instead of a golf ball - a lot of
fun is usually had by all involved.
CAS
Scholarships & Awards
The College of Agricultural
Sciences holds an annual Scholarships and Awards Banquet. Ten Club members
were recognized as Scholarship recipients. The Animal Science Open House/Prospective
Student Visitation is usually held in October. High school junior and senior
students who have an interest in the Animal Sciences are invited to come to
University Park to learn what Penn State Animal Sciences is all about.
Career
Day
The College of Agricultural
Sciences also sponsors, in conjunction with Alpha Gamma Rho, an Agricultural
Business and Industry Career Day. A variety of companies are invited to attend.
This gives students an opportunity to learn what jobs are available and to
interview for internships as well as employment.
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Fresh
Turkeys for Thanksgiving
Our main fund raiser
for the year is the fresh Thanksgiving turkey sale. This year we processed,
packaged and sold about 450 fresh turkeys. Members enjoy the opportunity to
do some hands-on work for the Club.
Fun
Activity
One of our fun activities is bowling. We get a chance to spend time getting
to know one another outside the classroom environment. Throughout the year,
we plan various activities to get out and have some fun. Bowling seems to
be one of the favorite things, along with eating pizza.
The
Spirit of Giving
The Club members believe in supporting the local community. This year we donated
fresh turkeys from our fall fundraiser to the Centre County Chapter of the
United Way. Certificates to receive a fresh turkey were also used in a United
Way fundraising auction. Over recent years, various community programs have
been recipients. Club members enjoy trying to help the local community while
promoting poultry products.
Club
Scrapbook
Each year we show
our creative talents and put together a scrapbook that recaps the previous
year's events. The scrapbook takes a lot of time and hard work, but is worth
it in the end. We enjoy seeing a pile of pictures and construction
paper turn into an attractive, organized and creative book.
Poultry
Science Club Awards
The
Scrapbook won the National Poultry Science Club Scrapbook Award each of the
past four years at the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association Collegiate competition
in Atlanta, GA. The Penn State Club was also voted U.S. Poultry Science Club
of the Year again in 2002/2003. 2000/2001 was also a good year; Student of
the Year for the U.S. Poultry Science Club was Heather Lehman, Animal Sciences
major from Mechanicsburg, PA; Penn State's Poultry Science Club won best
Scrapbook
and received a plaque inscribed: "In appreciation for your contribution
and dedication to the U.S. Poultry Science Club and Scholarship Fund".
