A non-profit is looking to feed the expected 9 billion people by the middle of this century by educating animal agriculture students. During the recent BIVI Summer Swine Health Seminar, Chuck caught up with David Funderburke, a swine consultant, who helped start Targeting Excellence.
“The idea is to bring together production systems in food animal production with universities and agribusinesses to eliminate food hunger,” he said. Through scholarships, Targeting Excellence is getting students prepared to face the daunting task of feeding that growing world population. “With 9 billion people, we need to make sure we’re attracting the brightest students into our industry.”
Targeting Excellence goes into states and sets up committees to organize fundraising events. Right now, they’re in Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and North Carolina and look to expand into Ohio and Georgia next year. The past year’s efforts, such as the popular sporting clays shooting events, raised $90,000 in scholarships that went to approximately 40 students.
“This is the industry doing something for the future of the industry by supporting the students in food animal production,” said David.
More information is available on the group’s website, TargetingExcellence.org.
Interview with David Funderburke, swine consultant