The State of Georgia has included $2.5 million in its supplemental budget to fund a meat processing plant in the Hall County School District’s new Agribusiness Center. While providing career pathways for students who have an interest in agriculture and meat processing, the plant will also enable the district to process its own protein in times of scarcity, school officials say.
The processing plant will include an educational meat lab, a small tasting kitchen, and meeting area. It’s in the design phase now. It’s expected to cost between $4-$5 million dollars to complete, says school district spokesperson Stan Lewis.
Another advantage of the new facility, Lewis notes, is that it will give the school system the ability to work directly with local farmers rather than multinational meat companies.
Terry England (R-Auburn), Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, calls the pilot program an ‘investment’ in the future of Hall County and all of Georgia.
“With agriculture being the number one industry in our state—the backbone our economy—why would we not look for innovative opportunities to provide our young people with the skills they need to thrive in that industry?”
England says the facility will support local beef farmers by giving them an option for processing.
“It’s going to be a model that hopefully other school systems will follow,” he adds.
The idea originated with Hall County School System Will Schofield who approached District 27 State Rep. Lee Hawkins about pursuing the project.
“He contacted me a few months ago about the idea of providing protein for the Hall County School System through a teaching program for meat cutting that would utilize a school facility and local farmers,” Hawkins explains. “I am proud to have worked with him to obtain the partial state funding to match our local funding for the future of our students and our community.”
Superintendent Schofield says the district is ‘excited’ about this opportunity for the many young people in the area who have a passion for agriculture and agricultural science.
“This new facility will be yet another venue where they can acquire job-ready skills for high-paying occupations immediately after graduation. We are grateful for this funding and the opportunity it provides.”
The Hall County School District opened its Agribusiness Center and farm in 2021. The complex, located on 51 acres off Cleveland Highway, is a functioning farm. It provides students with hands-on experience and real-world opportunities they can use to pursue jobs in Georgia’s Agri-Business economy.
