The Egg Industry Center (EIC) had the unique opportunity to expose a group of fourteen high school students and five adults from Florida to the egg industry. The tour began at the ISU Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. The topic of “what is good egg quality?” was covered by ISU Poultry Farm Manager Cameron Hall. During that time the students experienced cracking and examining eggs to learn about internal egg structure. They also participated in a candling exercise to determine what “Grade A” eggs should look like.
“I really enjoyed learning all about the egg industry!” – Carter Howell, student
Next, the group headed to the EIC office for a presentation by Lesa Vold, EIC communications specialist. The topics discussed were the history of the U.S. egg industry, hen housing types, the results of the 50-year environmental footprint research, the coalition for sustainable egg supply research outcomes, current challenges the industry is facing today and U.S. and global trends in egg consumption and production. Throughout the presentation the students were keen, asking numerous questions to better understand the industry. Having no poultry/egg background themselves, this tour stop provided a perfect opportunity for EIC to educate the next generation of consumers about what it takes to makes their food system sustainable for the future.
The visiting students were part of a summer agriculture trip, consisting of students from various high schools in Florida. Additional tour stops included various other commodity groups and industries such as the Purina Research Farm in Missouri, the Monsanto Biotech Facility, Brennemine Pork, an Amish community, a robotic dairy farm and the home of Mark Twain.
“I was very interested in the production of eggs and learning about it all. I also enjoyed the presentation about the different types of ways producers house the hens.” – Caleb Malec, student
