Southern University in the LSU ASPIRE Program
Baton Rouge, La. - This summer, students in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences participated in the LSU Ag Center sponsored Agricultural Sciences Professional Internships in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) program. This 10-week paid internship allowed undergraduates to develop their skills and knowledge in agricultural research and outreach and to help expand the diversity of talent pool in the agricultural workforce.
Kennede Thomas, a Southern University Animal Science major, worked under Dr. Jodi Morton, Assistant Professor of Animal Science, at the Poultry and Swine Units along with Louisiana State University student Daja Williams, a senior Animal Science major. Thomas worked with meat rabbits to understand the effects of oregano on rabbits as a dietary additive. Williams, also interned at Southern University in Animal Sciences where she worked on the potential preference of garden crop residue of pastured pigs. Agricultural Business student Ricky Julien, Jr., worked with LSU professor James Hendrix, Associate Area Agent in Tensas Parish, on the tillage and cover crops effects on infiltration rate in crop production at the LSU Northeast Research Station.
Students presented information related to their project on August 5, 2022, in front of their mentors and other program participants. They also developed scientific posters to discuss their projects and display information to stakeholders.