Eighteen high school students from around the United States are adding animal health and welfare to their learning experience after participating in Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) AgDiscovery program.
AgDiscovery is a free summer outreach program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose is to help teenagers explore careers in agricultural sciences. For two weeks in June, the FVSU group learned from professors and USDA experts, including plant and animal scientists, biotechnologists, veterinarians, administrative professionals and others. Students toured various Georgia locations such as FVSU’s Dairy and Meat Technology Centers, the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan, the USDA Plant Inspection Station in Atlanta and the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross.
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Bianca Gomez-Reyes knew as a young child that her career path would lead to equine veterinarian. The 16-year-old senior of Saint Francis School aspires to study animal science at the University of Puerto Rico. She said her mother encouraged her to apply to FVSU’s AgDiscovery program after learning about another student’s experience.
Gomez-Reyes spoke highly of her visit to the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center. “I did not know it was part of that department. It was interesting to see how they don’t breed the dogs. They adopt them,” she noted.
Her advice to students interested in AgDiscovery is to try it. She admitted she was initially nervous that she would not be accepted into the program. Shadowing a veterinarian at home, she can now add this new learning opportunity to her experiences.
Additionally, Laurel Howard, 15, of Huntsville, Alabama, was searching for a summer program related to her interest in animal science and zoology. The Grissom High School 11th grader, who has always loved animals, found FVSU’s AgDiscovery online and was excited to apply.
“I would really love to either become a zookeeper or a zoological veterinarian when I am older, helping wildlife and endangered species,” she said, grinning. “I am also very interested in sustainable agriculture like self-contained systems that mimic natural ecosystems to grow things more efficiently without damaging the natural environment.”
Given her love for animals, it was only natural that the highlight of her AgDiscovery experience was working with the animals. Students explored the Veterinary Science building on campus. Howard said this tour was enjoyable because she engaged in drawing blood and listening to the rabbits and Guinea pigs’ heartbeats with a stethoscope gifted to the participants. After graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in animal science or a related agricultural program in her home state or Georgia.
Her advice to students interested in future AgDiscovery programs is to “absolutely apply; it is fun.” She added, “You will be happy you did. I have already made a lot of friends.”
For 11th grader James Spears, making good friends, living on campus and learning about the agriculture field were valuable takeaways from the program. Two highlights were learning how to draw blood and visiting the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center, where he and his peers saw firsthand the operations of this facility.
Spears, who resides in Virginia, said he heard about FVSU’s AgDiscovery program when attending a college fair. The 15-year-old attends a high school biomedical program. He strives to study at Duke University and become an anesthesiologist but is open to other career possibilities.
Moreover, Leonel Orozco-Escalante, of Arizona, has always been captivated by animals and their health. Becoming a FFA member helped increase his curiosity. This is how the 17-year-old junior from Chandler High School learned about AgDiscovery. He and his friend, also from Arizona, researched locations and both decided to attend FVSU’s program.
Orozco-Escalante aspires to become a veterinarian but first plans to specialize in veterinary technology. He currently attends East Valley Institute of Technology in Arizona, studying to become a veterinary assistant.
A highlight for him participating in the summer program was working with the baby goats on campus. He fed the small ruminants and learned how to make FVSU’s distinguished goat’s milk soap. Also, Orozco-Escalante said it was fun connecting with other students. He advises for those interested in applying to be open-minded.
“You get to see and hear people’s different experiences with agriculture,” Orozco-Escalante emphasized.
To learn more about the AgDiscovery program, visit https://bit.ly/agdiscoveryfvsu.