Animal Sciences

ANSC 442 students apply classroom knowledge through community projects

Story by Katy Kinker
Photos provided by Julie Mahoney, Ph.D.
May 27, 2026

Students in ANSC 442: Sheep Management spent the Spring 2026 semester applying what they learned in class through community outreach projects, which were created to support the sheep industry and broader community.

Throughout the semester, teams of students in the course worked to design and implement projects that addressed practical needs within the sheep industry. Projects ranged from sheep education and flock management to accessibility remediation and outreach initiatives.

Projects included:

Laparoscopic AI SOP Development - VIP Club Lambs
Ag Week Sheep Industry Education - Purdue Ag Week Council
Solar Panel Grazing Perception Survey - Indiana Sheep Association
Elementary School Sheep Curriculum - Carroll Consolidated School Corporation
Spring Fest Boiler Barnyard Sheep Products Education - Animal Sciences Ambassadors
Spring Fest Boiler Barnyard Live Sheep Education - Animal Sciences Ambassadors
Sheep Stomach Educational Models for Elementary Students - The Farm at Prophetstown
Remediation of Extension Publications for ADA Accessibility - Purdue Department of Animal Sciences
On-Farm Feed System Design - This Old Farm, Inc.

Students said the projects helped strengthen both technical and professional skills while allowing them to communicate their knowledge to broader audiences.

“This experience helped me build strong communication skills and reinforced the importance of presenting technical information clearly to different audiences,” one student shared.

Another student reflected on the value of demonstrating technical knowledge in a practical setting.

“This project was a fantastic way to demonstrate our knowledge to a broader audience,” the student said. “We were able to meet a community need while continuing our education and service learning. My learning is enriched and reinforced by assisting the needs of the community and applying my learning in practical ways.”

Recent animal sciences graduate Lucas Koedyker participated in a project focused on solar grazing and the use of sheep to graze solar fields as a way to help manage vegetation on solar sites.

“With information gathered from my other group members, I compiled a list of questions, concerns and benefits shared by both farmers and professionals in the solar industry to provide an easily accessible handout for prospective farmers considering leasing land for solar panels,” Koedyker said.

Koedyker said the group’s interest in the topic stemmed from classroom discussions and guest speakers from the Indiana Sheep Association.

“Our group was inspired from in-class discussion about solar grazing and from guest speakers from the Indiana Sheep Association that drove our interest into exploring an up-and-coming industry that can integrate sheep as a more productive animal species in the United States,” Koedyker said.

Koedyker said the project was especially rewarding because it allowed students to address misconceptions surrounding the solar industry.

“For me, the most fulfilling part of this project was finding the misconceptions and concerns that farmers had and being able to gather supporting data and research to help reduce those concerns,” Koedyker said. “It was rewarding to show the increase in green practices these companies are now supporting.”

By combining technical sheep management concepts with community-centered learning, ANSC 442 students gained hands-on experience while supporting agricultural education, outreach and industry collaboration.

Group Pictures

Students stand in front of a presentation titled "Service Learning Project."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "Improving Conception Rates in Sheep."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "Service for the ASREC Sheep Unit."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "Service Learning Project."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "Sheep Agriculture Outreach for Early Education."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "Shep Service Learning Project."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "Solar Panels within the Sheep Industry."

Students stand in front of a presentation that's titled "The Sheep Industry: Meat, Wool, and Dairy."

Students stand in front of a presentation titled "This Old Farm, Inc. Service Learning Project."

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