Whitko Students Finish Agriscience ProjectsAs freshman animal science students finish their semester-long agriscience projects at Whitko Career Academy, the students recently had an opportunity to take one class member's research project to a taste-tasting level.
Student Allie Ridenour raised 10 meat birds on varying diets, measuring their weights and observing growth patterns on a weekly basis, according to a news release from Whitko.
In mid-April, the birds were processed by local entrepreneur and Whitko alumni Morgan O'Reilly. O’Reilly owns and operates a custom poultry processing business in Larwill, while also working as a Merchant Trainee with the farmer origination team at Louis Dreyfus Commodities.
The finished product was prepared in the food science kitchen of the ag classroom. Ninth-grade classmates sampled poultry prepared with rosemary, garlic and lemon juice. In addition to experiencing a true farm to table opportunity, the kids enjoyed a discussion comparing the taste of the chicken based on the diets the birds received.