Agriculture program earns $10K national grant

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is one of two schools to earn an inaugural $10,000 Education Advancement Program grant from the National Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) Organization.

Funding from the grant will support expansion of UNG's agriculture education efforts, assisting in both student recruitment and the launch of an "Introduction to agriculture" course that will be available for both freshmen and dual-enrollment students.

UNG launched its PAS chapter, the first in the South, during the 2024-25 academic year.

"It's a huge win for us as a program and new PAS chapter to expand our reach and grow awareness in the South for PAS," said Dr. Linda Purvis, associate professor of biology and PAS faculty adviser. "We're honored to be selected and excited to see what that brings in the future for us as a program."

In spring 2025 at the National PAS Conference, UNG poultry science students Jacque Conner, Ashley Davis and Alyssa Foster took first place in the nation in the Poultry Specialist career area event, which required the team to take a knowledge test, write a case study report on a real-world issue and give a presentation on a current event after only having 45 minutes to prepare. Additionally, Davis finished as the top individual in the category, with Conner second and Foster third.

Davis and Foster also competed individually in Agriculture Education with Davis landing in fourth and Foster taking eighth. For this event, they created a lesson plan and gave a teaching demonstration. 

Foster, a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in middle grades education and an associate degree in agriculture-poultry science, previously served as vice president of UNG's PAS chapter and the Agriscience and Business Club. The Talmo, Georgia, resident said transferring to UNG to study poultry science has allowed her to enjoy college and set her up with the tools to be an agriculture educator. She is excited that the PAS grant could open similar doors for others.

"This can help kids find passions they never thought they would have," Foster said.

UNG’s agriculture program will host Ag Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 in the quad and volleyball areas at UNG's Gainesville Campus. Funding from the PAS grant will be used to support this event. All students, faculty and staff are invited.

UNG will have six students attend the National PAS Conference this year over spring break in March in Missouri. They plan to compete in Poultry Specialist, Equine Specialist, Agriculture Education, Agriculture Marketing and Communication, Animal Health, Employment Interview, Prepared Speaking, and Career Progress categories.