Georgia is the top poultry producer in the U.S. bringing in over $28 billion a year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, but concerns are growing about the industry’s future and its aging workforce.
To prepare more young people to take up the mantle, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff delivered funding of $4 million to the University of Georgia (UGA) and Fort Valley State University (FVSU), a historically Black university in Fort Valley, Georgia.
What will the funding be used for?
“I am delivering new resources to strengthen Georgia’s poultry workforce in a collaboration between Fort Valley State University and UGA, which will establish a new poultry science major here at Fort Valley State University,” Ossoff announced at a press conference at FVSU.
To boost the university’s new major, FVSU will also use the funding to purchase equipment.
UGA has similar plans for their part of the funding which will go toward upgrading their technology and lab equipment.
The bipartisan-supported funding “will expand the research ongoing here [FVSU] and at the University of Georgia,” said Ossoff, “to strengthen Georgia’s poultry industry, and to train the next generation of poultry scientists and poultry workers.”
FVSU’s new poultry science major will research topics like pest and infection prevention, sustainability and improving yields.
“This institution [FVSU] is leading work that’s vital to Georgia’s agricultural sector but also vital to agriculture, food security and human health all over the world,” said Ossoff.
More on Senator Ossoff and Georgia’s poultry industry
In November 2022, Ossoff and fellow Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock secured the $7.5 million Georgia Meat and Poultry Revolving Loan Fund which would help meat and poultry processors increase operations, creating more rural jobs.
“This grant is about creating jobs in rural counties and lowering food costs for all Georgians,” said Warnock. “Strengthening our food supply chain is crucial to keeping grocery store shelves full and food prices low.”
