The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation and the Iowa Pork Producers Association are announcing a second year of their program to encourage more students to get involved in swine and pork science research. Iowa students who complete and conduct a science experiment related to pigs, pork, pig production, swine care or related subject area will be eligible to receive a $200 scholarship.

Today's pig farmers and pork producers use a lot of science to determine how to best raise their animals, says IPPA’s Joyce Hoppes. Good science can help propel the industry forward and allow pork and pork byproducts to continue to be an important part of the food supply and the ag industry. Iowa ranks No. 1 in pork production.

Students involved in ag science

The goal is to get more students involved in studying agricultural science. “We are excited to offer this research opportunity to students,” Hoppes says. “Our industry relies on science for advancement in animal care and product improvements.”

The scholarships can assist students in the development of a project, be used to purchase supplies for their experiments, or purchase supplies for the presentation of the project. The scholarships can also be used to help fund travel to any of the four science fairs and symposiums hosted in Iowa including:

Top 10 to receive scholarships

“Students can complete a research project in any of the more than 70 categories,” says Will Fett, IALF executive director. “There are so many interesting connections between pork and science that students can explore. Everything from biomedical and health sciences to mathematics and microbiology can relate to pork and swine.”

Ten students (grades 6 through 12) will be selected to receive the scholarships. Deadline to apply for the scholarship is Jan. 29. Students selected to receive the scholarship and their teacher or sponsor will be contacted by Feb. 1.

For information about this activity or other IALF programs, visit Iowa Ag Literacy. Students can apply for the scholarship and begin their science research by using this online form.

Source: IALF, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.