As I approach my spring semester of my sophomore year here at North Carolina State University, I would have thought I wouldn't have the same reaction when I told people what I am majoring in. I guess some part of me believed that, gee I don't know, people would have GROWN UP and BECOME EDUCATED over the past three semesters but, once again, mankind has let me down.
When people ask what I'm majoring in, I tell them. Poultry Science. And, for some reason, I still get surprised at the ignorance that comes with their responses. A smirk, a laugh, a snide comment of "What are you going to do with that? Work with chickens?" and the best of all, a non-genuine "What is that?"
For those who of you who don't know, North Carolina's agricultural industry contributes a whopping $84 billion to the state's economy. Do you want to know how much of that $84 billion is because of the Poultry Industry, which by the way is the #1 Agricultural Industry in North Carolina? $34.4 billion. How about you guess how many jobs the Poultry Industry creates for North Carolinians. I'll give you a hint. Nevermind. I'll just tell you. 109,000. Did you know that the Poultry Industry of North Carolina makes up 40% of North Carolina's total farm income? Also, did you know that there are over 5,700 farms that produce poultry and eggs, just in North Carolina (North Carolina Poultry Federation, 2016)?
Now that you can gawk at the fact that the state you live in is primarily based around poultry, let's look at the United States as a whole.
The Poultry Industry in the United States accounts for $469,610,619,500 of the annual economic impact. Companies involved in the industry provide 1,814,200 jobs that pay $100.2 billion in family wages. The industry also generates $32.9 billion in taxes (U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, 2012).
Wow! Remember the time you laughed in my face at my major and behind my back because you stereotyped it and characterized it as "redneck," "uneducated," and "easy"? Jokes on you. I am working for and towards a future that will be fed because of my "ridiculous" and "surprising" major. I am working for one of the highest paid careers in the United States, and as a matter of fact, the world. I am working for a group of individuals that choose to ignore your ignorant responses of Poultry Science not being nearly as difficult and useful as, let's say, engineering. I am working towards a greater, more dependable, and sustainable future that will be feeding your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and more.
Keep laughing if you want, but while you do, I'll be busy making a difference.
