Stand Up and Holler for Animal Sciences Students!

This Gator Giving Day, the Animal Sciences Department (ANS) is excited to raise funds that will support our Have You HERD student program and undergraduate student recruitment!

Have You HERD?

The Have You HERD student program gives high school students a chance to spend a day in the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences department. Each semester, 5-6 students each have a full day attending ANS classes, touring the UF campus, and building lasting relationships with ANS students, faculty, and advisors. Animal Sciences ambassadors help create their customized schedules based on the interests expressed in their Have You HERD application. The department provides each student with a t-shirt and lunch on campus for them and their family.

We have had 34 students participate in the program since it started in fall 2022, with 3 more visiting this spring 2025! So far, we have five students who have graduated from high school and now are UF ANS students! Many of the “alumni” of the program are still in high school or state college and will hopefully join our department in the future.

Continuing this program is essential to showing high school agricultural students that they can become a UF student.

Savannah Linzmaier, Matti Moyer, and Alexis Tilton tabling at the 2024 FCA Convention in Marco Island, Florida

Student Recruitment

Your contribution also helps us meet and recruit the next generation of ANS students. Our academic advisors and ANS ambassadors attend recruitment events and regularly meet with prospective students and their families. Every year, they visit Santa Fe College, North Marion High School, Florida FFA Convention, and Florida Cattlemen’s Convention. They work hard to highlight the department and the numerous opportunities offered to students. The more we can offer prospective students, the more we can ensure the growth of our department.

Stand Up and Holler on Thursday, February 20, 2025

If you would like to give this year, please visit https://tinyurl.com/SUAHANS25. We appreciate all contributions to our department and will continue to provide our Have You HERD students and prospective students with the best experiences possible!

Thank you for your continued support, and Go Gators!