Modesto Junior College agriculture students felt compelled to give back to the community this season, so 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.

“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,” said Chris Galhano, vice president of the Young Farmers.