Merck Animal Health donates $50K to ag student education

Merck Animal Health announced it will donate $50,000 to the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization to support its newly established Educational Advancement Program.

This contribution marks Merck Animal Health as the inaugural donor for this initiative, which aims to enhance agricultural education, particularly at two-year and community-based college programs that offer educational opportunities in agriculture. These institutions are pivotal in providing practical, hands-on training to equip future agricultural talent with the necessary skills to excel in the industry.

“At Merck Animal Health, we recognize the importance of educating the next generation of agricultural leaders and supporting the institutions that helped them grow,” said Scott Stehlik, D.V.M., director of swine and poultry technical services for Merck Animal Health. “This investment in the Educational Advancement Program shows our commitment to the agricultural industry and will empower students by providing them with the tools they need to thrive in their careers.”

“The industry needs a more robust pipeline of talented people to fill roles across the full breadth of agriculture. This initiative will enable institutions to recruit more students while building and expanding their program offerings to meet this industry demand for years to come,” Stehlik added. “We are proud to play a role in shaping the future of the agriculture industry by providing talented students access to the skills and hands-on training they need to be successful.”

The support from Merck Animal Health will not only help fund grants for these educational institutions but also support student scholarships and leadership opportunities in agriculture. The announcement took place during the 2025 National PAS Conference, which was held in Sheridan, Wyoming, from March 17 to 20, 2025.

The National Professional Agricultural Student Organization is dedicated to developing two- and four-year college-level professional agriculture students for the workplace. Through participation in employment experience programs, skill-set development, networking opportunities, and organizational activities, PAS equips students with the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed.

“We are incredibly grateful for Merck Animal Health’s generous contribution, which will significantly enhance our Educational Advancement Program,” said Jennifer Bloss, executive director for PAS. “This support not only helps us provide vital resources for agricultural education, but it also opens doors for students to gain valuable leadership experience. Together, we can cultivate the future of agriculture.”

Applications for the program will be available on March 24 on the PAS website at nationalpas.org.