Six Arkansas Tech University students attended the 79th Reciprocal Meats Conference, which was hosted by the American Meat Science Association June 20-24 in Canyon, Texas, and Amarillo, Texas.
Rhealea Booth of Conway, Anna Douglas of Valencia, Calif., Fernando Flores of Clarksville, Kaitlyn McGuire of Bono, Sunny Sowell of Conway and Kaitlyn Spencer of Cabot engaged in an Iron Chef experience and contest, a meat science quiz bowl, a student membership meeting, meat science certification sessions and a variety of additional scientific and educational opportunities.
The trip was made possible through grant funding from the Arkansas Beef Council.
“Taking students to the same conference and quiz bowl that sparked my own passion for the meat industry was a true honor,” said Dr. Crystal Ahrens Rouillier, ATU assistant professor of animal and meat science. “I am thrilled to watch that passion take root in this next generation and spread across our program.”
Flores was part of the winning Iron Chef team, which created bacon cheeseburger pet treats. Sowell received an American Meat Science Association Outstanding Undergraduate Award.
Collectively, the ATU delegation earned six industry-recognized meat science professional certifications during the conference.
“My trip to RMC this year left a lasting impact,” said Booth. “Getting to learn about different careers and aspects of the industry while meeting people from across the nation with various backgrounds gave me a new perspective to bring back to my program.”
The trip provided ATU students with opportunities to visit Texas panhandle sites such as Cadillac Ranch and Palo Duro Canyon.
“Although I don’t come from an agriculture background, attending the RMC opened my eyes to topics I had never thought of,” said Spencer. “I truly cannot put into world how grateful I am for this experience and cannot wait to prepare for next year.”
Learn more about the ATU agriculture program at www.atu.edu/agriculture.
