SU College of Ag Holds a Successful Summer BAYOU Program
Baton Rouge, La. - Thirty-four high schoolers and incoming college freshmen participated in the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences’ 2023 Beginning Agricultural Youth Opportunities Unlimited (BAYOU) Program held on the Baton Rouge campus from June 4 – 9, 2023.
The program gives students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences and gain first-hand knowledge about career opportunities in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, or the natural sciences.
During the program, the students visited two laboratories in the Urban Forestry department where they learned about tree cells and insects and how to measure the width and height of trees with Professor Yadong Qi. They also learned how to measure the chlorophyll in a plant's leaves with Professor Veronica Manrique.
Sessions provided by the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid, First Year Experience, Writing Center, and Technology supplied the students with information to prepare them for college and learn about on campus tools to help them be successful. They also participated in a mental health awareness session led by SU Ag Assistant Specialist for Mental Health, Ashlynn Harrison.
The students attended various places on and off campus. During one field trip, they visited the Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, LA where they met with the USDA liaison of Southern University A& M College, Dr. Tiffany Franklin. Students were introduced to ways to achieve maximum use of agricultural products for domestic markets and export, how to develop new uses and processes for farm products and the means for promoting optimum human health and well-being through improved nutrition, and how to promote product safety and quality.
To qualify for the summer program, students had to have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and have completed 11th grade. Graduating high school seniors had to have a 2.5 or greater GPA to participate in BAYOU.
For additional information about the BAYOU Program, visit https://bit.ly/2RmLdQo.