Poultry Science Judging Team

Our Team
Since 1940, the University of Arkansas Poultry Judging Team has built a tradition of excellence, leadership, and industry engagement that spans generations of students. For more than 85 years, the team has represented the University of Arkansas on the national stage while developing the next generation of poultry industry professionals.

This semester, our team includes 18 dedicated students who are committed to sharpening their technical knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills through poultry judging. The strength of our program is reflected in the talent of our students. Eight students are Gold Emblem National FFA Poultry Judging participants from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas, including several students from National FFA Championship teams. Together, they bring exceptional experience, determination, and passion for the poultry industry.

Beyond competition, poultry judging fosters lifelong friendships, professional growth, and a strong sense of community. Team members learn to evaluate products and live poultry, defend decisions, and perform under pressure. These skills prepare them for successful careers across the poultry and food industries. Through hard work, tradition, and teamwork, our students continue to uphold the legacy of one of the nation's longest-standing collegiate poultry judging programs.

Our Needs
To continue building on our tradition of success, we need support to offset program costs, such as travel, competition entry fees, lodging, meals, and other expenses associated with educational opportunities for our team members. These experiences provide invaluable hands-on learning and allow students to compete against top collegiate programs from across the country while representing the University of Arkansas and the poultry industry.

In addition to supporting our team's competitive opportunities, the University of Arkansas has proudly hosted the National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest since 1965. Each year, this prestigious event brings students, coaches, industry leaders, USDA representatives, and universities from across the nation to Fayetteville. Hosting the contest requires significant resources, including meals, awards, banquet expenses, event facility rentals, contest materials, and other operational costs that ensure a high-quality experience for all participants. As one of the nation's premier collegiate poultry judging events, the contest plays an important role in strengthening industry relationships, showcasing our department, and providing students with valuable leadership and professional networking opportunities.

By supporting our fundraising efforts, you help sustain both our competitive team and a longstanding national tradition that has served collegiate poultry education for more than six decades.

How Can You Help?
This September, the UARK Poultry Judging Team is hosting a two-week fundraising campaign to support our students and strengthen the future of our program. Every contribution directly impacts the educational experience of our team members by helping provide opportunities for competition, professional development, and industry engagement.

For more than eight decades, poultry judging has connected students, alumni, faculty, and industry leaders through a shared commitment to excellence. Your support helps preserve this tradition, develop future industry leaders, and ensure that the University of Arkansas Poultry Judging Team continues to thrive for generations to come. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.