Poultry summer camps bring hundreds of youth to Aggieland
Many assume campus slows down during the summer months without students in session, but in Aggieland, the opposite is true. Texas A&M comes alive with youth visitors attending a variety of camps and programs. The Department of Poultry Science plays a major role, hosting multiple judging camps, contests, and youth workshops that attract hundreds of participants from across Texas and beyond.
Poultry Judging Events
Each summer, the Department of Poultry Science proudly hosts the Texas 4-H State Roundup Poultry Judging Contest, a premier qualifying event for the National 4-H Poultry & Egg Conference. This year, the contest brought together the state’s top 4-H members, with Guadalupe County placing first, Scurry County second, and Lubbock County third. The winners will advance to represent Texas at the National Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, on November 19–20, 2025.
In addition to the Texas 4-H State Poultry Judging Contest, three poultry judging summer camp sessions were held in mid-June, offering tailored experiences for different age groups and skill levels:
- Session 1: A two-day camp for youth ages 9–13
- Session 2: A three-day camp for youth ages 14–18
- Session 3: A two-day camp for judging coaches
The camps were led by Brett Meisinger, Texas A&M Poultry Judging Coach and Instructional Assistant Professor, who, along with the multi-nationally ranked Texas A&M Poultry Judging Team, provided participants with valuable one-on-one mentoring. There were over 150 participants from across the nation representing 5 states – Oklahoma, Ohio, Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and Texas.
“Aside from judging basics, it is a great way to develop further commercial poultry industry knowledge to educate poultry consumers,” said Meisinger.
Texas Youth Livestock Ambassador Program
The Texas 4-H Poultry Ambassador Program provides high school students with advanced leadership training and opportunities to serve as advocates for the poultry industry.
From June 23–26, the 2025–2026 cohort of 17 Ambassadors participated in the Ambassador Short Course, an immersive experience in industry education, service, and professional development.
Highlights included:
- Industry tours of Wayne-Sanderson Farms hatchery, processing plant, and live production facilities, paired with a lecture on poultry diseases and biosecurity.
- Community service at the Brazos Valley Food Bank and 12th Can, learning about food insecurity while giving back.
- On-campus experiences included a poultry anatomy lab at the Texas A&M Poultry Research, Teaching, and Extension facility, and talks from guest speakers such as J.C. Essler, Executive Vice President of the Texas Poultry Federation, Dr. Ally Spears, Instructional Assistant Professor of the Texas A&M Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education & Communications, and Dr. Chris Skaggs, Associate Dean for Student Development of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Professional skills development through an etiquette dinner, KBTX media training, and social media workshops.
- Public engagement at H-E-B, where Ambassadors shared poultry knowledge directly with consumers.
- Career exploration via a panel of accomplished industry professionals.
This intensive short course not only developed technical skills but also instilled confidence and leadership abilities that the Ambassadors will carry forward as advocates for agriculture.
Veterinary Science Certificate Program
The Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP) offers high school students the training needed to become veterinary assistants while providing a foundation for further study in veterinary science.
As part of their summer camp, the Department of Poultry Science hosted anatomy and embryology sessions for more than 30 participants from Texas, California, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana. Over four days, students explored hands-on labs and gained valuable insights into animal science careers.
Impact Beyond the Classroom
From poultry judging contests to ambassador training and veterinary science labs, the Department of Poultry Science’s summer programs welcomed more than 300 students from eight different states to Aggieland. These immersive experiences not only strengthened technical knowledge in areas such as judging, anatomy, and industry practices but also fostered leadership, communication, and advocacy skills.
By engaging with peers, faculty, and industry mentors, participants gained a deeper understanding of poultry science while discovering pathways to future careers. Collectively, these programs inspire and equip the next generation of poultry leaders, advocates, and professionals to make a lasting impact in agriculture.