Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceProgram Aid No. 2156

AgDiscovery 2015: Investing in the Future of AmericanAgriculture

United States Department of Agriculture

Apply at www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery

2

ARE YOU...• amiddleorhighschoolstudentlookingforauniquesummer

internshipwithanopportunitytoliveandstudyonacollegecampus?

• ahighschoolstudentlookingtoimproveyourresumeforcollege?

• ateacherlookingforopportunitiestoexpandyourstudents’view

ofagriculture?

• aparentlookingforlearningopportunitiesforyourteen?

Looknofurther…theU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)offersyou

anopportunityofalifetime.

WHAT IS AGDISCOVERY?

AgDiscoveryisasummeroutreachprogramtohelpteenagerslearnabout

careersinplantandanimalscience,wildlifemanagement,andagribusiness.

Theprogramallowsstudentstoliveonacollegecampusandlearnabout

agriculturefromuniversityprofessors,scientists,andadministrative

professionalswhoworkfortheU.S.Governmentinavarietyoffields.

Theystudythelifecyclesandhabitsofinsects(entomologists);research

micro-organisms,suchasbacteriaandviruses(biotechnologists);examine

cellsandtissuesunderamicroscopetoidentifydiseases(plantpathologists);

worktoconserveandmanagewildanimalsandtheirhabitats(wildlife

biologists);carryoutanimalhealthprograms(veterinarians);provide

educationonthehumanecareandtreatmentofanimals(veterinariansand

animalcareinspectors);andmanagethebusinessaspectsofprotecting

plantsandanimals(agribusiness).

This2-to4-weeksummeroutreachprogramfor2015targetsmiddleand

highschoolstudents1whoareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutplants,

animals,andagribusiness.StudentschosentoparticipateinAgDiscovery

willgainexperiencethroughhands-onlabs,workshops,andfieldtrips.

Studentswillalsoparticipateincharacter-andteam-buildingactivitiesand

avarietyofworkshops.

2

1 Age requirements vary at some of the participating universities. See page 22 of this publication for specifics.

3

AgDiscoveryWHO SPONSORS AGDISCOVERY?

USDA’sAnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService(APHIS)partnerswith

variousuniversitiesandcollegestodelivertheAgDiscoveryprogram.Many

oftheFederalGovernment’sprofessionalplantscientists,biotechnologists,

veterinarians,andwildlifebiologistsworkforAPHIS.Theagencyfunds

AgDiscoveryeachyear,andpartneruniversitieshostprogramparticipants

ontheirlocalcampuses.

In2015,thereare17universitiesparticipatinginAgDiscovery:AlcornState

University,DelawareStateUniversity,FloridaAgriculturalandMechanical

University,FortValleyStateUniversity,IowaStateUniversity,KentuckyState

University,LincolnUniversityinMissouri,NorthCarolinaStateUniversity,

SouthCarolinaStateUniversity,TuskegeeUniversity,UniversityofArizona,

UniversityofArkansasatPineBluff,UniversityofHawaiiatManoa,

UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign,UniversityofMarylandatCollege

Park,UniversityofMarylandEasternShore,andVirginiaStateUniversity.

Eachuniversity’sAgDiscoveryprogramfocusesonaspecificareaofinterest

toourNation’sagriculture,suchasplanthealth,entomology,veterinary

science,animalcare,biotechnology,andagribusiness.

AgDiscoveryisauniqueopportunityforstudentstogainafirst-handlook

atthemanycareerpathsopentothemintheagriculturalsciences.For

thoseinterestedinanagriculturalcareer,AgDiscoveryisagreatwaytoget

started.Readontolearnmoreaboutthisyear’sprogram,includingdates,

locations,costinformation,eligibility,andhowtoapply.

4

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITYJUNE 14–26, 2015Entertheamazingworldofanimalscienceandveterinarymedicinethrough

theAgDiscoverysummercamp,hostedbyAlcornStateUniversity’s

DepartmentofAgricultureinLorman,MS.Duringthe2-weekcamp

experience,studentswillhavetheopportunitytointeractwithpeersfrom

acrossthecountrywhilelearningtheprinciplesandtechniquesofanimal

husbandryandveterinaryscience,usingavarietyofliveanimals.

Contact:Dr.CassandraVaughn,(601)877-6541,cfvaughn@alcorn.edu

www.alcorn.edu

AlcornStateUniversityisapremier,comprehensiveland-grantuniversity

thatdevelopsdiversestudentsintogloballycompetitiveleadersand

appliesscientificresearchthroughcollaborativepartnershipsthatbenefit

thesurroundingcommunities,State,Nation,andworld.Theuniversity’s

lowstudent-to-facultyratio(17:1)isvitaltoitsgraduates’success.At

Alcorn,studentsformclose,collaborativerelationshipswithfaculty

mentors.NoteworthyalumniincludeAlexHaley,MichaelClarkeDuncan,

MedgarWileyEvers,DonaldDriver,andSteveMcNair,amongothers.

5

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITYJULY 6–19, 2015Learnaboutthebusinessaspectsofprotectingplantsandanimalswhile

exploringcareersinagribusiness.StudentswillliveontheDelawareState

University(DSU)campusinDoverandlearnaboutavarietyofadministrative

professionsfromuniversityprofessorsandagricultureemployees.

Contact:HarryThayer,(302)857-6434,hthayer@desu.edu

www.desu.edu

DSU,foundedin1891astheStateCollegeforColoredStudents,takes

prideinitsheritageasoneofthecountry’sfirstland-granteducationalinstitu-

tions,rootedearlyoninagricultureandeducation.DSU’scurrentpopulation

includesa76-percentAfricanAmericanenrollmentandanincreasing

numberofCaucasian,Hispanic,Asian,andotherinternationalstudents.

6

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITYJUNE 7–20, 2015StudentswillliveontheTallahasseecampusandworkwithavarietyof

animalspecies.Inaddition,studentsareexposedtoopportunitiesin

animalsciencetohelpthembetterunderstandandrefinetheircareerpaths.

Contacts: Dr.RayMobley,(850)445-7423,ray.mobley@famu.edu;

Dr.GlenWright,(850)599-3546,glen.wright@famu.edu;

CarmenLyttle-N’guessan,(850)412-5363,carmen.lyttlenguessa@famu.edu

www.famu.edu/herds

FloridaAgriculturalandMechanicalUniversity(FAMU)wasfoundedas

theStateNormalCollegeforColoredStudentsand,onOctober3,1887,

beganclasseswith15studentsand2instructors.Today,“FAMU,”asit

hasbecomeaffectionatelyknown,isthepremierschoolamonghistorically

blackcollegesanduniversities.Prominentlylocatedonthehighesthillin

Florida’scapitalcityofTallahassee,FAMUremainstheonlyhistoricallyblack

universityinthe11-memberStateUniversitySystemofFlorida.

7

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITYJUNE 1–12, 2015Studentswillbeexposedtoallareasofveterinarymedicineandanimal

agriculturethroughhands-onexperienceswhileenjoyinguniversitycampus

life.Theywillhavetheopportunitytoworkwithmultiplespecies,fromfish

tohorses.Participantswilllearnabouteducationalandjobopportunitiesin

animalandplanthealth-relatedfieldsoncampusandthrougheducational,

agriculture-relatedfieldtrips.Theprogramisadministeredbytheuniversity’s

DepartmentofVeterinaryScienceandPublicHealth.

Contacts:Dr.CristopherA.Young,(770)922-7860,

cristopher.a.young@aphis.usda.gov;Dr.GeorgeW.McCommon,

(478)825-6424,mccommog@fvsu.edu

www.fvsu.edu

FortValleyStateUniversity(FVSU),locatedinFortValley,GA,istheonly

1890land-grantuniversityinthe35-memberStateUniversitySystemof

Georgia.FVSUoffersbachelor’sdegreesinmorethan50majors,including

education,businessadministration,andagriculture(whichismostpopular),

andmaster’sdegreesinanimalscience,biotechnology,andpublichealth.

AsthesecondlargestpublicuniversityinGeorgia,witha1,365-acre

campusandover2,500students,FVSUengagesincooperativeextension

effortswithFederal,State,andcountygovernmentsandagenciesthat

enhanceagriculture,theenvironment,naturalresources,andfamilyand

youthwell-being;supportthedevelopmentoflocalcommunities;and

providecareeropportunitiesforgraduates.

8

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITYJULY 19–AUGUST 1, 2015Learnabouttheinterconnectionbetweenwildlifebiologyandconservation,

laboratorytechnologyanddiagnostics,animalscience,andveterinary

medicine.Everystudentwillhavehands-onexperienceonthefarm,in

wildlifeenvironments,andinthelaboratory.Activitieswillincludefield

tripstoseveraltypesoffarms;labexercisessuchasbacterialculture,egg

candlingandinoculations,animalnecropsies,veterinaryclinicalprocedures,

anddiagnostictesting;andfieldtripstoconservationareas,zoological

facilities,animalshelters,andresearchfacilities.Studentswhohave

completedageneralbiologyoranimalsciencecoursewillbenefitmost

fromtheprogramactivities.

Contacts:JanetB.Payeur,D.V.M.,M.P.H.,Ph.D.,(515)337-7003,

janet.b.payeur@aphis.usda.gov;ClaudiaLemper,(515)294-3591,

cllemper@iastate.edu

http://agdiscovery.nrem.iastate.edu

IowaStateUniversity(ISU)isaninternational,prestigiousuniversitywitha

friendly,welcomingpersonality,locatedinAmes.Over33,000students

choosefromover100majors,studywithworld-classscholars,andhone

theirleadershipskillsinmorethan800studentorganizations.ISUoffersa

greatenvironmentwherestudentscanenjoyreachingtheirpotentialand

discoveringtheirpassions.Theschool’sculturallydiversestudentbody

representsall50Statesandmorethan110countries.

9

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITYJUNE 7–20, 2015Welcometohorsecountry,homeofthethoroughbreds,wherestudentswill

experiencelifeoncampuswhilelearningaboutthemanyaspectsofanimal

scienceandveterinarymedicine.Theprogramwillstimulateandpromote

students’interestinandknowledgeofveterinarymedicinethroughaseries

ofhands-on,experientialactivities,suchasanimaldissection,venipuncture

ofgoats,fieldtripstoahorsefarmandadairyfarm,andabehind-the-

scenestourofalocalzoo.Theseexperiencesarefacilitatedbyuniversity

professionals,veterinarians,andotherspecialistsfromvariousagricultural

andanimalscienceindustries.

Contacts: Dr.JohnHollis,(502)682-1402,john.hollis@aphis.usda.gov;

ShawnMoore,(502)597-6672,shawn.moore@kysu.edu

www.kysu.edu

Foundedin1887,KentuckyStateUniversity(KSU)isahistoricallyblack

collegethatisstrengthenedbybothitsliberalartsand1890land-grant

missions.AlthoughKSUisthesmallestofKentucky’spublicuniversities,

withastudentenrollmentofabout2,700students,theschooltakespride

initslegacyofachievement.KSUaffordsaccesstoandpreparesadiverse

studentpopulationoftraditionalandnontraditionalstudentstocompete

inamultifaceted,ever-changingglobalsociety.Withastrongfocuson

student-centeredlearning,theuniversityintegratesteaching,research,and

servicethroughhigh-qualityundergraduateandselectgraduateprograms.

10

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY IN MISSOURIJULY 12–25, 2015HarvestproductsfromthefarmandsellthematthecampusFarmer’s

Market,learnhowtodevelopvalue-addedproductsfortheFarmer’s

Marketinacertifiedkitchen,andexamineurbanfarmingopportunities,

aquaculture,andcareofanimalsduringtheprogramatLincolnUniversity.

Partofyourstaywillbeinair-conditionedlogcabinsnestledinthewoods

attheuniversity-ownedBusbyFarm.Theremainderofyournightswillbe

spentinadormitoryonthemaincampus.

Contacts:DavidKiesling,M.S.,(573)681-5357,kieslingd@lincolnu.edu;

JuliusT.Moody,(573)681-5108,moodyj@lincolnu.edu

www.lincolnu.edu

Astheoldestofthe1890land-grantschools,themainLincolnUniversity

campushas169acreslocatedonahillyprominencewithapanoramic

viewofJeffersonCity,MO.Theinstitutionservesapproximately3,300

students,bothundergraduateandgraduate.Lincolnstudentscanchoose

fromanarrayofundergraduatemajors,includingagriculture,environmental

science,agribusiness,biology,chemistry,criminaljustice,medicaltechnology,

physics,andwellness.Thosecontinuingtheireducationcanearnmaster’s

degreesinbusinessadministration,historyandsociology,environmental

science,andseveralfieldsofeducation.

11

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITYJUNE 15–26, 2015Learnaboutcareersinplantscience,includingentomology(thestudyof

insects),plantpathology(thestudyofplantdiseases),botany(thestudyof

plants),agronomy(thescienceofsoilmanagementandproductionoffield

crops),andanimalscience.Studentswillliveoncampusindorms,learning

fieldandlaboratoryresearchtechniquesfromuniversityprofessorsand

practicingentomologists,botanists,plantpathologists,andveterinarians

whoworkfortheU.S.Government.TheprogramisfacilitatedbyThe

ScienceHouseatNorthCarolinaStateUniversity(NCSU).

Contacts:JasonPainter,(919)515-5585,jason_painter@ncsu.edu;

CamilleMorris,(919)855-7340,camille.e.morris@aphis.usda.gov

www.science-house.org

Withmorethan31,000studentsandnearly8,000facultyandstaff,NCSU

isacomprehensiveuniversityknownforitsleadershipineducationand

research,anditisgloballyrecognizedforitsscience,technology,engineering,

andmathematicsleadership.Asoneoftheleadingland-grantinstitutions

intheNation,NCSUiscommittedtoplayinganactiveandvitalrolein

improvingthequalityoflifeforthecitizensofNorthCarolina,theNation,

andtheworld.ConsistentlyrankedamongtheNation’stop50public

universitiesandrankedbyPrincetonReviewasabestvalueforstudents,

NCSUisaplacewherestudentscanfitin—anddigin.NCSUstudents

startworkontheirmajorasfreshmen,whetherit’sconductingresearch

alongsidefacultyorstartingachallengingco-oporinternship.

12

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITYJUNE 21–JULY 5, 2015Learnthebusinessaspectsofprotectingplantsandanimalswhile

exploringcareersinagribusiness.Studentswillalsogainexposureto

othercareerpathsintheagriculturalsciences,suchasveterinarymedicine,

plantpathologyandphysiology,chemistry,marketing,publicaffairs,and

computerscience.The2-weekprogram,heldontheSouthCarolinaState

University(SCState)campus,featuresaseriesofinteractiveactivities,

presentations,andeducationalfieldvisits.

Contact:ChristopherC.Mathis,Jr.,Ph.D.,(803)536-8974,

cmathis@scsu.edu

www.scsu.edu

Since1896,SCStatehasmaintainedalegacyofexcellenceineducation.

Ithasbeenhometogenerationsofscholarsandleadersinbusiness,

militaryservice,government,athletics,education,medicine,science,and

engineeringtechnology.LocatedinOrangeburgCity,SCStateUniversity

wasfoundedasaland-grantcollegewithamissionofprovidingeducation

andservicetothecitizensofSouthCarolina.

13

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY JUNE 6–20, 2015Studentswilllearnaboutcareeropportunitiesassociatedwithanimaland

planthealth,focusingonareassuchasenvironmentalscience,animal

science,entomology,plantscience,soilscience,waterquality,andrelated

disciplines.Theprogramalsohasastrongleadershipcomponentdesigned

toempowerstudentstoachieveastheyworktowardtheirfuturecareers.

Contact:Dr.OlgaBolden-Tiller,(334)727-8403,obtiller@mytu.tuskegee.edu

www.tuskegee.edu/agritrek

TuskegeeUniversity,foundedin1881byBookerT.Washington,isanational,

independent,andState-relatedinstitutionofhigherlearninginAlabamathat

servicesadiverse,coeducationalstudentbodyofmorethan3,000.

Tuskegee’sCollegeofAgriculture,Environment,andNutritionSciences

(CAENS)offersaneducationthatpreparesfutureprofessionalsandleaders

inthelifesciencesthroughcourseworkalongwithresearchandoutreach

activities.CAENSprogramsareinfluencedbythecollege’sinheritedlegacy

ofGeorgeWashingtonCarverandhismanycontributionstoteaching,

research,andoutreachinagriculture.

14

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAJUNE 15–26, 2015Learnaboutcareeropportunitiesandpossibilitiesinanimalandplant

health,includingagriculturalsciences,veterinarysciences,animaland

plantdiseaseeradication,plantpathology,andentomology.Studentswill

experiencemanyaspectsofagribusinessandcollegecampuslifethrough

variousfieldandlabactivities.

Contacts:TanyaHodges,(928)271-9560,thodges@cals.arizona.edu;

GloriaMagana,(760)768-2557,gloria.magana@aphis.usda.gov;GlenBall,

(928)248-3246,glen.a.ball@aphis.usda.gov

http://ag.arizona.edu

TheUniversityofArizona(UA)isapremier,publicresearchuniversity.

Establishedin1885asthefirstuniversityinArizonaandtheState’sland-

grantuniversity,UAisbuildingabetterArizonathroughaccess,quality,

anddiscovery.Astheprimaryland-grantcomponentoftheuniversity,the

CollegeofAgricultureandLifeSciencesadministersavarietyofprograms

atitsregionalAgriculturalCentersandengagesincooperativeextension

effortswithFederal,State,andcountygovernmentsandagencies.These

effortsenhanceagriculture,theenvironment,naturalresources,familyand

youthwell-being,andthedevelopmentoflocalcommunities.

15

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFFJUNE 13–26, 2015Studentswillworkwithplantsandanimalstodiscovertheeffectsofinsects

anddiseasesonAmericanagriculture.Studentswillalsolearnaboutthe

UniversityofArkansasatPineBluff(UAPB)RegulatoryScienceprogram,

whichoffersanundergraduatemajorinthedevelopmentandwritingof

governmentalregulations.

Contact: WillieColumbus,M.S.,(870)575-7252,columbusw@uapb.edu

www.uapb.edu

UniquecareerchoicesareavailableatUAPB.Theuniversity’sAquaculture/

Fisheries(AQFI)CenterofExcellence,createdin1988,isarecognized

leaderinaquaculture/fisheriesteaching,research,andextensionprograms.

UAPBistheonlyschoolintheUniversityofArkansassystemtooffer

bachelor’sandmaster’sdegreeprogramsinaquaculture/fisheries.

16

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOAJULY 12–25, 2015Inthishighlyintensifiedlearningprogram,studentswillexplorecareerand

educationalopportunitiesinthefieldsofanimalandplanthealth,including

agriculturalsciences,veterinarysciences,animalandplantdiseaseeradica-

tion,plantpathology,entomology,wildlifeservices,investigativeenforcement,

andactivitiesofAPHIS’CenterforPlantHealthScienceandTechnology.

Studentswillexperiencemanyaspectsofagribusinessandcollegecampus

lifethroughvariousfieldandlabactivities.

Contacts: CharlesKinoshita,Ph.D.,(808)956-6997,kinoshitac@ctahr.

hawaii.edu;CarolRussell,(808)838-2780,carol.e.russell@aphis.usda.gov

www.hawaii.edu

Foundedin1907,theUniversityofHawaiiatManoa(UHManoa)isthe

flagshipcampusoftheUniversityofHawaiiSystem.Studentsandfaculty

comefromacrosstheNationandtheworldtotakeadvantageofUHManoa’s

diversityandexcellenceinacademics,uniqueresearchopportunities,

athletics,communityinvolvement,andbreathtakingnaturalbeauty.

UHManoaisgroundedinthetraditionalvaluesoftheNativeHawaiian

culture,helpingstudentsfindtheirindividualacademicpassionsinlifeand,

ultimately,pursuetheircallings.

17

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGNJULY 5–AUGUST 1, 2015Learnaboutcareerpossibilitiesintheplant,animal,andveterinary

sciencesandhowUSDAprotectsAmerica’sfoodsupply.Overaperiod

of4weeks,studentswillliveontheuniversity’scampusandhavehands-

onexperiencesinanimalandplantlaboratoriesunderthesupervisionof

plantandanimalscientistsandveterinariansfromtheuniversityandUSDA.

FieldtripsallowstudentstoexperiencethevastaspectsoftheU.S.food

andagriculturesystem.

Contact: Dr.JesseC.Thompson,(217)333-3380,jthomps5@illinois.edu

academics.aces.illinois.edu/diversity

TheUniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign(UIUC)isaworld-class,

comprehensiveresearchuniversity,establishedin1862astheland-grant

institutioninIllinois.Theuniversity’sCollegeofAgricultural,Consumer

andEnvironmentalSciences(ACES)isrecognizedasaleaderinmany

sciences,particularlyinthedisciplinesofagriculturalandbiological

engineeringandthecrop,animal,andnutritionalsciences.ACESserves

akeyroleinprovidingprogramsandinstructionaimedateducatingthe

nextgenerationoffuturemanagersandscientists.

18

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK JULY 12–31, 2015Learnaboutplantsandanimals,theimportanceofprotectingAmerica’s

foodsupplyfrominsectsanddisease,theroleofregulationingenetically

engineeredorganisms,andthechallengeofmanagingandresolvingwildlife

conflicts.The3-weekprogramattheUniversityofMaryland’sCollegePark

campusprovidesaneducationalodysseyexploringfood,culture,andthe

environment.Participantsalsoreceive3hoursofuniversity-levelcourse

creditsthroughtheYoungScholarsProgram.2

Contacts:Dr.EvelynE.Cooper,(301)405-7044,ecooper@umd.edu;April

Brohawn,(301)314-7222,abrohawn@umd.edu;TyraGallman-Monnity,

(301)405-2078,tgallman@umd.edu

www.agnr.umd.edu

TheUniversityofMarylandatCollegeParkistheflagshipcampusofthe

UniversitySystemofMarylandandtheState’soriginal1862land-grant

institution.Itisoneofonly62membersoftheAssociationofAmerican

Universities,whichiscomposedoftheleadingresearchuniversitiesinthe

UnitedStatesandCanada.TheUniversityofMarylandiscommittedto

achievingexcellenceastheState’sprimarycenterofresearchandgradu-

ateeducationandtheinstitutionofchoiceforundergraduatestudentsof

exceptionalabilityandpromise.Theuniversitycountsamongitsgreatest

strengthsthediversityofitsfaculty,staff,andstudents.

2 Accepted students will be required to submit a high school transcript directly to the University of Maryland at College Park to complete the selection process for the Young Scholars Program. Upon notification of acceptance, send transcript to: Dr. Evelyn Cooper, 0107 Symons Hall, College of Agricul-ture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.

19

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHOREJULY 12–25, 2015Explorecareersinplantbiotechnology,plantmicrobiology,horticulture,small

ruminantmanagement,andnaturalresourcesciences.Studentswillhave

experientiallearningopportunitiesthroughresearch,education,andfieldtrips

toconservationareas,ahistoricalfamilyfarm,andagriculturalresearch

centers.StudentswillresideonthecampuslocatedinPrincessAnne,MD,

andinteractwithdiversefacultyandotheragriculturalprofessionals.

Contacts:Dr.BessieM.Green,(410)651-6200,bmgreen@umes.edu;

Dr.GeorgeS.Shorter,(410)651-6193,gsshorter@umes.edu

www.umes.edu

TheUniversityofMarylandEasternShore(UMES),theState’shistorically

black,1890land-grantinstitution,isastudent-centeredanddoctoral

researchuniversitythatnurturesandprepareshighlyvaluedgraduatesto

competeinaglobal,knowledge-basedeconomy.UMES,foundedin1886,

hasbeenrankedinthetoptieroftheNation’sbestblackcollegesand

universities,accordingtoseveralrecentannualrankingsbyU.S. News &

World Report.Theuniversity’sDepartmentofAgriculture,Foodand

NaturalResourceSciencesoffersthreeBachelorofSciencedegree

programsinagribusiness,urbanforestry,andgeneralagriculture(with

concentrationsinplantandsoilscience,animalandpoultryscience/pre-

veterinary/pre-professional,agricultureeducation,andagriculturalstudies);

aMasterofScienceinfoodandagriculturalsciences;andaDoctorof

Philosophyinfoodscienceandtechnology.

20

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITYJUNE 14–27, 2015Studentswillgainexperienceinthedisciplinesofanimalscience,aquacul-

ture,andfoodsafetyinaseriesofactivitiesaroundaFarm-to-Tabletheme.

Theywillparticipateinhands-onactivitieswithsmallruminants,farmed

fish,on-farmprocessing,andfieldandlaboratoryresearch.Fieldtripsand

guestspeakersprovideexposuretoagriculturalproductionandresearch,as

wellasavarietyofrelatedprofessions.Studentswillliveinauniversity

dormitoryforthe2-weekprogram.Thisprogramisfacilitatedbythe

VirginiaStateUniversity(VSU)CollegeofAgriculture/AgriculturalResearch

Station,withcollaborationfromUSDApartnersandindustryrepresentatives.

Contacts:AntonioMcLaren,(804)524-5252,amclaren@vsu.edu;

RozStein,(804)524-1533,rstein@vsu.edu

www.vsu.edu

Foundedin1882,VSUholdsthedistinctionofbeingtheNation’sfirstfully

State-supportedhistoricallyblackcollegeoruniversity.Withamission

emphasizingtheintegrationofacademicinstruction,research,andpublic

service,VSUwelcomesstudentsofanyrace,religion,orethnicheritage.

TheVSUSchoolofAgriculturehasstrongprogramsinsmallruminants,

foodsafety,andhigh-valuecrops.VSUalsoownsandoperatesa

416-acrefarmandagriculturalresearchcenter.

21

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?ThereisnocosttoattendtheAgDiscovery2015summerprogram.Tuition,

roomandboard,labsupplies,andactivityfeeswillbecoveredbyAPHIS.

Studentsselectedfortheprogramareonlyresponsibleforcoststhatmay

beassociatedwithtravelingtotheuniversitycampusonopeningdayand

returninghomeattheconclusionoftheprogramonclosingday.(Note:

AgDiscovery does not provide a shuttle or other such transportation

services at those times.)

HOW DO I APPLY?Forthe2015program,applicationsmustbemaileddirectlytoAPHIS.

Emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted

for consideration under any circumstances.

Acompleteapplicationpackageincludes:

• Thefour-pageAgDiscovery2015applicationform.Youcan

downloadafillablePDFfromtheAPHISWebsiteat

www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery.Westronglysuggestthatyou

completetheformbytypinginformationdirectlyintoit.Ifyouprefer

tocompletetheformbyhand,pleaseensurethatallinformationis

neatlyprintedandclearlylegible.

• Atwo-pageessayentitled,“WhyIWanttoAttendtheAgDiscovery

Programat________________(indicatetheparticipatinguniversity

youwouldliketoattend),andWhatIWanttoLearn.”Intheessay,

includeinformationaboutyourinterests,hobbies,andfuturecareer

goals.Besuretoincludeyourfullname,age,homeaddress,

telephonenumber,andemailaddressonthefirstpageoftheessay.

• Threelettersofrecommendationfrompeoplenotrelatedtoyouwho

knowyouwell.Atleastonerecommendationmustcomefroma

teacherorschoolcounselor.Eachletterofrecommendationmustbe

sealedinaseparateenvelopeandthenplacedinonelargeenvelope

withtheapplicationformandessay.

22

Only ONE large envelope containing the application form, essay,

and sealed letters of recommendation will be accepted per

applicant. DoNOTincludeanyofthefollowinginyourapplication

package:photographs,birthcertificate,reportcard,transcript,news

clippings,awards,orotherextradocuments.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MARCH 6, 2015.

PLEASEDONOTWAITUNTILTHELASTDAYTOAPPLY!

ELIGIBILITYSpecificagerequirementsforadmissionapplytosomeoftheparticipating

universities.Please check that you meet the age requirement for

your selected school before submitting your application.

AlcornStateUniversity ages12–16

DelawareStateUniversity ages14–17

FloridaA&MUniversity ages14–17

FortValleyStateUniversity ages14–17

IowaStateUniversity ages15–17

KentuckyStateUniversity ages14–17

LincolnUniversityinMissouri ages14–17

NorthCarolinaStateUniversity ages15–17

SouthCarolinaStateUniversity ages14–17

TuskegeeUniversity ages14–17

UniversityofArizona ages14–17

UniversityofArkansasatPineBluff ages14–17

UniversityofHawaiiatManoa ages14–17

UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign ages16–17

UniversityofMarylandatCollegePark ages14–17

UniversityofMarylandEasternShore ages14–17

VirginiaStateUniversity ages14–17

Note: You must be at least the minimum eligible age and no older than the maximum eligible age for your selected program as of May 31, 2015.

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Mail your complete application package to:

Sophia L. Kirby

USDA-APHIS Office of the Administrator

Office of Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion

4700 River Road, Unit 92

Riverdale, MD 20737-1234

YouwillbenotifiedonorbeforeApril 30, 2015ifyouhavebeenselected

forthissummer’sAgDiscoveryprogram.Meanwhile,ifyou’dliketolearn

moreaboutAPHISorthisyear’sparticipatinguniversities,visitthese

Websites:

www.aphis.usda.govwww.alcorn.edu

www.desu.edu www.famu.edu/herds

www.fvsu.eduhttp://agdiscovery.nrem.iastate.edu

www.kysu.edu www.lincolnu.edu

www.science-house.org www.scsu.edu

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www.tuskegee.edu/agritrekhttp://ag.arizona.edu

www.uapb.edu www.hawaii.edu

academics.aces.illinois.eduwww.agnr.umd.edu

www.umes.eduwww.vsu.edu

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FOR MORE INFORMATIONIfyouhavequestionsabouttheAgDiscoveryprogram,pleasecallAPHIS

at(301)851-4199orsendanemailtoagdiscovery@aphis.usda.gov.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AGDISCOVERY APPLICATIONSApplicantscanonlyapplytooneAgDiscoveryprogrameachyear.The

programsarecategorizedinthethreedisciplineslistedbelow.Applicants

arenolongereligibletorepeatparticipationwithinadiscipline.Forexample,

ifastudenthaspreviouslyparticipatedinanyprogramwithintheanimal

discipline,heorsheisonlyeligibletoparticipateinaprograminoneofthe

tworemainingdisciplines(agribusinessorcombination).

Agribusiness Animal Combination

Delaware State University

Kentucky State University

University of Maryland at College Park

Florida A&M University

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Alcorn State University

University of Arizona

Virginia State University

Tuskegee University

Fort Valley State University

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Iowa State University

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

North Carolina State University

South Carolina State University

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Lincoln University in Missouri

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USDAisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer.

IssuedJanuary2015