Outside the Georgia Poultry Laboratory, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff laid out plans to support new initiatives to address the poultry industry's future.
Among the items Ossoff unveiled was his push for "upgrades and maintenance" at the USDA's National Poultry Research Center outside of Athens and for the advancement and expansion of the University of Georgia's Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.
"These institutions work with our poultry farmers, with this diagnostic lab [and] with the entire supply chain to make Georgia the national leader in poultry production and a leader in the production of poultry that feeds the entire world," Ossoff said.
Poultry has a nearly $25 billion economic impact on the state's economy, and the industry creates many jobs here in North Georgia.
Significantly, Mr. Ossoff also announced his support for a collaboration between the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University. The senator plans to push for a "joint poultry science program." If the partnership were to become a reality, Ossoff said, it would allow FVSU to have a poultry science major for students.
"We would be bringing Fort Valley State University's student body and resources, UGA's student body and resources together to help produce a more qualified poultry workforce in the state of Georgia," Ossoff stated. "This is the beginning of an effort, but it's a worthwhile effort."
State and local officials were on hand for the Tuesday event. Ossoff stood shoulder to shoulder with Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon and State Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black.
"I'm very grateful that today has been a very fruitful discussion; it's been one of great candor of, great honesty, and great authenticity," Black said. "We've had an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues relative to trade relative to animal health [and] the future poultry and its industry."
"You could tell by his tone and his command of the topic that he took the meeting seriously," Couvillon said. "I didn't vote for him, but I'm very impressed with him, and I appreciate him coming up here.
