Animal Welfare Expert Temple Grandin to Speak at Fresno State

Taylor Hillman General

Dairy cow
Dr. Temple Grandin, a world-renowned animal welfare expert, will speak from 10:45 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 9, at the Fresno State Satellite Student Union (5241 N. Maple Ave.). Her presentation will focus on animal welfare and consumer concerns.

“Dr. Grandin is a key figure in our industry and is widely admired for her dedication in discovering ways to reduce livestock animal stress and injury,” said Dr. Randy Perry, chairperson for the Fresno State Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education Department. “We use her concepts and facility designs in our campus animal units, and many of her approaches are discussed in our classes.”

The event is sponsored by the Fresno State Animal Welfare Club and will include a book signing from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Copies of 10 books that she has written on animal genetics, welfare, livestock handling and other topics will be available for sale.

Free tickets for the event can be picked by students who show their student ID at the Jordan College Advising and Career Development Center (Ag Science Room 110) during normal work hours through Aug. 31. Remaining tickets will be available to the public Sept. 1 to 4 at the Gibson Farm Market (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.) from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Any remaining tickets will be available the morning of the event at the Satellite Student Union.

Other organizations sponsoring the event include the California Poultry Federation, Ag One, Fresno State Poultry Science Club, Associated Students, Inc. and the California Autism Center.

Grandin was the subject of an HBO biography in 2010 that chronicled her success in becoming an innovative animal behaviorist while overcoming her struggles with autism. The TV movie won 31 honors, including seven Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

She has been named to the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people in the heroes category. She has also been featured by People, Forbes and Discover magazines, ABC’s Primetime Live, the Today Show, Larry King Live and the New York Times.

On Grandin’s campus visit, she will meet with Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology students, staff and faculty.

Her visit will wrap up with a tour of the University Agricultural Laboratory animal units that include about 300 beef cattle, 380 dairy cattle, more than 500 swine, 20,000 chickens, 125 sheep and 30 quarter horses.

For more information, contact the Fresno State Animal Welfare Club at fsuanimalwelfareclub@gmail.com or 805.807.5307.