SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Officials with Tyson Foods Inc. are going back to school. The processing giant announced it will contribute its expertise to a new course at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State Univ. focused on agricultural communications. According to a press release, more than a 12 employees will make in-class presentations, each on a different subject to expose students to the issues challenging the food industry and how to effectively address them. The course is being offered through the university’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The course curriculum requires students to address timely agricultural issues using videos, social media and videos.

“This unique course provides A&T students an exclusive opportunity to learn from industry professionals the communications, risk and associated other challenges facing modern agriculture,” said Antoine Alston, Ph.D., the associate dean of academic studies within the college who will be teaching the class.  “We truly appreciate the support from Tyson Foods to make this class a reality.”

According to Tyson, students will learn to identify fact, fiction and opinion as they relate to agricultural industry. Relating to this demographic is critical for the future of the food industry, said Krista Cupp, Tyson’s senior manager of communications.

“These students understand agriculture better than anyone, so it’s really about teaching them to communicate effectively to the average consumer about where their food comes from,” she said. “And, that’s exciting.”