Today’s food systems face dual challenges of meeting nutritional needs of billions while addressing sustainability concerns surrounding livestock production. Livestock-derived foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs are essential for alleviating global malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations. However, misconceptions about food animal agriculture often erode trust and contribute to misinformed decision-making. The Food for Thought event was developed to address these challenges by fostering agricultural literacy and trust through interdisciplinary engagement and communication. This student-led initiative, hosted by the University’s Issues in Animal Agriculture course and Veracis Animal Ag Communication Research Group, provided a platform for participants to explore topics, including the nutritional benefits of lean meat, sustainable animal agriculture, and effective science communication. Students prepared evidence-based professionalized presentations on: Food for Mind and Body - The nutritional benefits of meat; Clarifying Truths - Addressing misconceptions about animal care and sustainability; Seeing is Believing - Cooking concept presentation connecting science and practice; and Communicating Your Story - Practical approaches to advocacy and outreach. Through panel discussion and presentations, the event offered a unique learning experience. By engaging in professionalized presentations and expert panel conversations, students gained valuable workforce-readiness skills based on evaluation rubrics, including: Leadership and Teamwork: Collaborating to organize a complex, interdisciplinary event; Event Planning and Logistics: Managing timelines, resources, and participant engagement; Science Communication: Translating technical information into accessible, evidence-based messages; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Addressing challenges in real-time to ensure the event's success; Professional Networking: Interacting with industry experts, faculty, and non-agricultural audiences; & Evaluation and Assessment: Conducting surveys to measure impact and feedback. The event exemplifies the integration of classroom knowledge with real-world application, equipping students with skills essential for future leadership roles in agriculture. Beyond advancing agricultural literacy, the program served as a transformative learning opportunity for students who planned, delivered, and assessed the program.