TUCKER, Ga. – The USPOULTRY Foundation announced that California State Univ. in Fresno, Calif., and Modesto (Calif.) Junior College recently received a student recruitment grant of $7,000 and $6,500, respectively.

Richie King, vice president of Chicken Plant Operations, Foster Farms, and USPOULTRY board member, was on hand to present the checks. Dr. Michelle Ganci, lecturer and poultry instructor in the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education Department, California State Univ., and Prof. Marlies, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Modesto Junior College accepted the grants on behalf of their institutions.

“The USPOULTRY Foundation recruitment grant is an indispensable resource for universities and colleges, such as California State Univ., Fresno, and Modesto Junior College, that helps encourage students to consider a career in the poultry industry," King said. "The poultry industry is constantly growing, and attracting youth to become a part of our industry is essential for our future.”

The USPOULTRY Foundation board approved student recruiting grants of more than $160,000 to the six US universities with poultry science departments and 15 other institutions with industry-related programs.