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MJC Agriculture Fundraiser Benefits 4-H Program
MJC Ag Benefit pix
Shown, the Modesto Junior College agriculture students who donated their time to help ensure a successful BBQ Chicken Fundraiser. Photo Contributed

As the holiday season approached, Modesto Junior College agriculture students felt compelled to give back to the community. The Young Farmers Club organized a BBQ chicken meal on Nov. 1 that raised over $2,000 to benefit the Westside Ministries’ Community Cultivators 4-H program. Westside Ministries has the primary purpose of providing opportunities for low-income children. The funds donated by MJC’s Young Farmers Club were used to purchase fair supplies and equipment for the 4-H program.

“What made this effort unique was not just the generosity of MJC agriculture students,” said Marlies Boyd, MJC animal science professor and Young Farmers Club advisor. “This whole event has truly been a team effort.  From growing the birds to serving the meals, this was a 100 percent student-driven initiative.”

Weeks earlier Foster Farmers donated 125 market broiler chicks, which were then raised by MJC students and used as a cornerstone of experiential learning in MJC agriculture classes. The birds were then harvested and processed by the MJC Poultry Club in the MJC Meat Science Laboratory. The cooking, meal preparation and curbside service was provided entirely by MJC agriculture students.

Chris Galhano, vice president of the Young Farmers shared, “It gives you a good feeling knowing you are doing something for a good cause. I’d like to thank the community for purchasing over 350 tickets and I hope they enjoyed their meal.”

For more information about MJC’s poultry program or the BBQ chicken fundraiser, contact Marlies Boyd at mboyd@mjc.edu or (209) 575-6212. The MJC Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Division serves over 1,000 students who are taught and provided services by a dozen full time faculty and staff members. To learn more about MJC’s agriculture program visit https://www.mjc.edu/instruction/agens.