Poultry Club returns to campus after two-year pause

As we head into Thanksgiving week, a lot of us start thinking about food, family and all the small things we’re grateful for. And for many people, turkey is one of those traditions that always finds its way onto the dinner table. What many don’t realize is how much poultry science plays a role in making that possible. Modern turkeys are the product of decades of research in breeding, nutrition, genetics and care.

With that idea of gratitude in mind, it feels like the perfect time to celebrate some good news at CFANS. After being inactive for two years, the University of Minnesota Poultry Club is officially back. Thanks to the hard work of the new officer team, the club has made a strong and meaningful comeback. Riley Joyer (President), Heiden Dahl (Vice President), Jojo Witt (Secretary), Katelynn Carpenter (Treasurer) and Antonio Becker (Public Relations) all played a part in rebuilding it; Riley and Antonio shared what the journey has been like and what they hope to create moving forward.

Bringing the club back together

Riley shared that the club first started somewhere around 1998 to 2002, back when it was known as the Gopher Poultry Club. It was founded by Brian Joyer, Carl Stromberg and Sam Hoffman. Since Riley grew up sharing a love for poultry with her dad, Brian, she had always pictured joining the same club he was once part of.

Last winter, Riley found out that the club had been inactive for two years. Instead of letting the idea disappear, she reached out to a past club leader, Mikayla Schlosser, who then connected her with animal science faculty member Anup Johny. What started with a few emails slowly turned into something real. Within a short time, they held two meetings, gathered more than 20 members, formed a solid officer team and created a long list of goals for the upcoming year.

Riley said she feels incredibly grateful for all the support the club has received so far and is happy to see the community come together again.

Creating space for learning and new connections

Riley and Antonio explained that one of their biggest goals is to build a welcoming environment for anyone who loves poultry or is simply curious about birds. Throughout the year, they plan to bring in guest speakers from different parts of the poultry industry. Students will get the chance to hear from poultry veterinarians, farm owners, researchers, marketing professionals and others who play a role in poultry production.

They’re also hoping to attend the Premier Show for Poultry Production (PEAK) in April 2026, which is a major poultry-focused convention. The event brings together agricultural businesses and gives students a chance to network, learn and explore different careers within the field.

Hands-on projects and what they’re excited about

The club already has several activities in mind, including exhibitor shows, farm visits, FFA poultry competitions and processing facility tours. Among them all, the project they’re most excited about is raising chickens together as a group.

If everything works out, club members will raise broiler chickens from day-old chicks all the way to market weight. They would then sell the finished product back to the community. The process takes about eight weeks and teaches daily care, teamwork, record keeping and the steps involved in producing a high-quality product. The money earned would help fund future trips and learning opportunities.

Welcoming students who are new to poultry science

Riley and Antonio emphasized that students don’t need any background experience to join. The poultry industry is much bigger than most people think. Beyond taking care of birds, careers in this area include nutrition, marketing, genetics, vaccine development, engineering, food processing, technology and more.

The club hopes to offer hands-on learning, career-related skills and a friendly space for students who enjoy agriculture or want to learn more about where our food comes from.

Looking ahead to the club’s future

In the long run, the officers hope to see the club continue to grow and stay active for many years. They want more students to explore careers in the poultry field and hope to see expanded poultry-related classes and resources at the University of Minnesota.

Most of all, they hope members walk away with a deeper understanding of birds and the important role they play in agriculture and food production. By giving students real experiences and real knowledge, the club aims to inspire its members to share that understanding with their communities.

If you’re interested in joining the club or have any questions, you can reach out to Antonio Becker or Riley Joyer. You can also follow the club on Instagram to keep up with their activities and upcoming events.