Raising Advocates: How Poultry Shows Shape Future Leaders in Animal Agriculture

Описание: In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Mary Fosnaught of the North Carolina State University Prestage Department of Poultry Science about how youth programs turn curious kids into confident advocates for food animal production. Dr. Fosnaught explains 4H as the youth arm of extension and shares how hands-on experiences with animals build leadership, public speaking, responsibility, and empathy in ways screens never can. The conversation traces the roots of youth programs in early “corn clubs,” connecting to today’s urgent need to help young people feel grounded, connected, and proud of feeding a growing global population.



The heart of the episode is the Youth Market Turkey Show at the North Carolina State Fair, a partnership between NC State and the fair that brings market poultry into the spotlight. Participants receive three poults in June, raise them at home, and return in October with their best hen for the show. Mary walks through why turkeys and chickens are such accessible entry points for families who cannot keep larger livestock, and how fast growth over just 16 weeks gives young people a front row seat to the power of genetics, nutrition, and good husbandry. Many exhibitors take the project full circle by processing their remaining birds for Thanksgiving, gaining a deeper appreciation of what it means to raise, harvest, and share food with their own families. Along the way they learn to answer tough questions from fairgoers, bust myths about “what must be in the feed,” and talk clearly about biosecurity, welfare, and stewardship.



We also tackle careers and the future of the poultry sector. Dr. Fosnaught makes the case for presenting poultry science as a “front door” opportunity rather than a back door discovery in college, and she highlights the wide range of roles that may never touch a bird directly, from engineering and data science to communications and administration. If only a small fraction of the population produces food for everyone else, then raising a generation that understands, values, and can speak for animal agriculture is not just nice to have, it is essential for the future of safe, affordable protein.



 



CREDITS



Host - Andy Vance (  / andyvance1  )

Producer - Lyndsey Johnson (  / lyndsey-murphy-johnston-26935647  )

Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt (  / miketjlunt  )



 



LEGAL



The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.