Project Grant 20233882139904

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THERE IS AN ONGOING NEED FOR UP-TO-DATE INSTRUMENTATION AND A FEED PROCESSING AND FORMULATION FACILITY AT AAMU TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR THE ANIMAL BIO-HEALTH SCIENCE (ABHS) STUDENTS. THE FACILITY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO TRAIN STUDENTS ON IDENTIFYING SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FEED INGREDIENTS TO USE IN MANIPULATING ANIMAL DIETS THAT ARE FED TO REDUCE FEED COSTS, IMPROVE FEED EFFICIENCY, ENHANCE ANIMAL PERFORMANCE, AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, PARTICULARLY TO DECREASE METHANE EMISSIONS IN RUMINANT ANIMALS. ADDITIONALLY, THE ABHS CURRICULUM INCLUDES FAS 352 - FEEDS & FEEDING. HOWEVER, THE COURSE IS UNDERDEVELOPED AND CURRENTLY LACKS THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE LABORATORY EXERCISES TO SUPPORT THE REQUISITE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS. THUS, IF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS FUNDED, IT WILL SERVE AS A BASIC FOUNDATION FOR HANDS-ON STUDENT LEARNING WITH THE FOLLOWING ANTICIPATED IMPACTS: (I) STIMULATE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ON UTILIZING ALTERNATIVE FEED INGREDIENTS TO FORMULATE ANIMAL FEED; (II) TO AUGMENT FACULTY PREPARATION IN FEED DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON FEED AND NUTRITION TEACHING; (III) GROW THE CAPACITY FOR COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY; AND (IV) INCREASE RETENTION IN THE ABHS PROGRAM. OVER 120 STUDENTS WILL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING DURING THE LIFE SPAN OF THE PROJECT. ULTIMATELY, THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL ENABLE AAMU TO GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARED TO ADDRESS NIFA STRATEGIC GOALS. DATA GENERATED WILL BE USED TO PURSUE COMPETITIVE GRANTS OFFERED BY USDA AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.