USPOULTRY Foundation Student Outreach

Happy Earth Day 🌎

From farm to processing, the poultry and egg industry is continuously improving how we care for our resources — using less, conserving more and innovating for the future.

At USPOULTRY, we’re proud to support research and initiatives that help move sustainability forward — today and every day.

3️⃣ Ways Our Newly Published Research Helps to Support the Poultry and Egg Industry

➡️ Strengthen Biosecurity Protocols
➡️ Optimize Vaccination Strategies
➡️ Enhance Monitoring & Early Detection

Read the full abstract (link in comments) on how this new research sheds light on egg drop syndrome transmission and vaccination response

Happy National Ag Day from the USPOULTRY Foundation! 📚🌱
Today we honor the educators, researchers, and students who are shaping the future of agriculture. Through scholarships, research grants, and educational programs, the Foundation is ensuring the poultry industry has the talented workforce it needs for the next 250 years of progress. Thank you to everyone who supports the next generation of ag leaders!

🌱 The USPOULTRY Foundation is proud to fuel the future of poultry and egg production through innovative research!
We're now accepting pre-proposals from colleges, universities, and research facilities for the 2026 Fall Research Competition — deadline May 1!
Your one-page synopsis could help solve real challenges in animal welfare, food safety, environmental management, employee health, nutrition, diseases, processing, and more. Since our program began, the Foundation has helped reinvest over $38 million (equivalent to $67 million today!) into groundbreaking work at more than 50 universities and facilities — with >$1 million invested annually.
Together, we're building a stronger, safer, more sustainable industry. Submit your ideas today and be part of the impact!
Full priorities, guidelines, and online submission: https://www.uspoultry.org/programs/research
Tag a researcher, professor, or institution that should apply! 👏

🌍🐔 Big shoutout to the next generation of poultry leaders!
The USPOULTRY Foundation was thrilled to host 14 outstanding students and their professors from seven Latin American universities at the 2026 International Poultry Expo during IPPE!

Through our International Student Program, these bright minds:

Connected with global poultry and egg companies
Explored the latest in sustainable, cutting-edge technology on the massive trade show floor
Attended the Latin American Poultry Summit (co-hosted with ALA) and received special recognition at the luncheon

A special thank you to our partners at the Asociación Latinoamericana de Avicultura for seven years of collaboration in selecting top universities and helping introduce these talented students to worldwide career opportunities.

We also proudly presented ALA with a $25,000 check—funded by La Cumbre Avícola Latinoamericana supporters—to advance important research in the region!

Investing in talent drives our industry forward. As USPOULTRY Foundation Chair Jonathan Cade said: “Many companies exhibiting at IPPE operate globally and are seeking future leaders...”
Proud moment for all of us!

The USPOULTRY Foundation is thrilled to spotlight a newly completed research project that's transforming poultry byproducts into real-world solutions for healthier farms!

Through Project — "Utilizing Carbonized Feathers in Visible Light-Responsive Photocatalytic Reactors for Poultry Odor Control" — Dr. Mohammadamin Ezazi and the team at Georgia Southern University have developed and tested an innovative system using activated carbon from carbonized chicken feathers combined with visible-light photocatalysis.

Tested in a full-scale commercial broiler house, it achieved consistent ammonia reductions and better odor control — all while promoting circular economy principles by upcycling feathers.

This breakthrough supports:
Enhanced bird welfare through improved air quality
Safer working conditions for poultry professionals
Greater environmental sustainability
Reduced costs and chemical use

Funded in part by proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of IPPE, this is exactly the kind of forward-thinking research the USPOULTRY Foundation exists to support.

A huge thank you to Dr. Ezazi and Georgia Southern University for helping build a more sustainable future for poultry! 🌱🐔
Read more about this exciting project below.

What innovations excite you most in poultry sustainability? Drop your thoughts below! 👇

The USPOULTRY Foundation is proud to support groundbreaking poultry research that drives progress across the industry!
Nominations are now open through July 1 for the Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award — co-sponsored by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation.
This award celebrates outstanding completed research projects we've funded that have delivered transformative impact — improving quality, safety, sustainability, and practices in broiler, turkey, and commercial egg production.
Since 2013, it has honored primary researchers for their exceptional contributions (multiple related projects in the same area are eligible). Nominations welcome from universities, research institutions, poultry research community members, USPOULTRY members/staff/committee participants — and self-nominations are encouraged!
Prioritize projects completed in the last 5 years, but those with recently evident major impact are also considered.
To nominate: Send a letter to Dr. Denise Heard, VP of Research ([email protected]), with the nominee’s name, description of accomplishments, and summary of industry impact.
The recipient receives round-trip travel + 2 nights’ lodging to the 2027 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, a $1,500 cash prize, presentation at the USPOULTRY Chair’s Reception, and recognition at the International Poultry Scientific Forum.
With the Foundation's ongoing commitment to research (part of over $38 million invested industry-wide), let's recognize the innovators shaping the future of poultry! Nominate today!

The USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program just wrapped up an incredible week at the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo!
Over 500 students from 34 colleges and universities traveled to Atlanta to connect directly with more than 90 HR managers and recruiters from 23 companies for internships and full-time roles after graduation.
This year we introduced a powerful new opening session with Debra Lassiter and April McLean of Perfectly Polished. Students gained hands-on training in professional etiquette and soft skills — eye contact, confident handshakes, posture, networking, active listening, and how to “work a room” — plus professional headshots to boost their personal brand.
“Teaching students proper etiquette isn’t about rules or formality — it is about equipping them with the confidence, respect and interpersonal skills needed to succeed,” said LaShundra Littles, USPOULTRY student program and events manager.
This is the USPOULTRY Foundation difference — preparing tomorrow’s leaders today! 🐔🎓
Tag a college student who belongs at IPPE 2027! 👇

The USPOULTRY Foundation is proud to invest in the next generation of poultry and egg industry leaders!
As part of our ongoing commitment to recruiting and training top students, we invited National FFA Officer Candidates to an all-expense-paid trip to the 2026 International Poultry Expo.
“USPOULTRY’s commitment to FFA is strong. Offering these National Officer Candidates the opportunity to experience the world’s largest annual trade show for the poultry, egg, meat and animal food industries is a valuable way to introduce them to our industries and inspire them to become future industry leaders,” said Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International Inc., and chair of the USPOULTRY Foundation.
The candidates took part in the USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program — interviewing for internships with top poultry and egg companies — explored the massive IPPE trade show floor showcasing the latest sustainable technology, and strengthened their skills through educational sessions.
This is what investing in the future looks like! 🐔✨

The USPOULTRY Foundation is proud to have welcomed the top National FFA Poultry Evaluation and Food Science & Technology CDE teams to the 2026 International Poultry Expo, part of !
This all-expenses-paid opportunity was made possible through our ongoing efforts to inspire students to explore rewarding careers in the poultry and egg industry.
“Through our Foundation, USPOULTRY has long supported the FFA Poultry Evaluation and Food Science and Technology CDEs. Giving these students the chance to experience IPPE’s impressive trade show—featuring the latest innovations in modern, sustainable poultry production—along with access to more than 80 hours of world-class educational programs, is a fantastic way to introduce them to career opportunities in the poultry and egg industry,” said Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International Inc., USPOULTRY Foundation Chair.
Highlights included a special program with leaders from Perdue Farms showcasing the wide range of career paths, plus the fun EggMazing Race scavenger hunt that let students explore the exhibit floor and network with exhibitors and attendees.
Congratulations to the attending teams!
Poultry Evaluation CDE
• Katy FFA, Texas
• North Clackamas FFA, Oregon
• Penn Manor FFA, Pennsylvania
• Prairie Central FFA, Illinois
• Spring Hill FFA, Kansas
Food Science & Technology CDE
• Big Walnut-DACC FFA, Ohio
• Dassel-Cokato FFA, Minnesota
• Eustis-Farnam FFA, Nebraska
• Galt-Liberty Ranch FFA, California
• Preston FFA, Idaho
The future of our industry is in great hands! 🌟