By McKinley Buckley
GLENVILLE, WV – Gilmer County High School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand new, state-of-the-art animal processing classroom and meat shop. The event was the culmination of a years-long effort to secure funding and construct a custom meat shop that would accommodate the needs of the agricultural education department at the school.
In years past, students who needed to process venison, beef, pork, and other animal products would need to travel to Roane County, where the school graciously allowed the Gilmer County FFA and other students to utilize the equipment to prepare products for a variety of reasons. However, the trip to Roane county required students to take an hour journey each way – a logistical hurdle that often made some students unable to join the program and further their knowledge of animal processing. “For years we’ve gone to Roane County to work up meat for the Ham/Bacon program, but now being able to stay after school [allows] the other kids who are in school and taking the ag classes to be able to be involved,” Said Jack Norman, President of the Gilmer FFA. “Knowing that the Gilmer County FFA Chapter is going to help other kids throughout the school participate in these types of activities makes me proud to be a Gilmer FFA Member.”
Speakers for the event included Superintendent Dr. Minney, FFA Advisor and Agricultural Education Teacher Nick Cox, GC FFA President Jack Norman, Vice President Elijah Bourn, Secretary Summer Bourn, and Chaplain Rayanna White. The speakers highlighted the new meat shop as a golden opportunity for students at GCHS to gain valuable hands-on experience without the burden of additional travel – a fact that implied a great potential for growth for the program. Additionally, each speaker recognized and gave thanks for the incredible efforts from a variety of stakeholders that made this project a reality. “A lot of effort has went into making this really nice facility for our students. I want to thank Mr. Cox. He’s the teacher that will make this facility put to work and have a big impact on our students. We really appreciate the board members – past and present – and all the other folks who have had a hand in putting this meat processing facility together for our students,” said Superintendent Minney.
Mr. Cox, FFA Advisor, expressed a great deal of gratitude towards all of the unsung heroes who helped see the project to completion. “There are so many people in a school system that pave the way for an FFA chapter – or a sports team or band – to be able to do something,” said Cox. “Wherever you might see one teacher or one group of kids… there’s secretaries, there’s financial treasurers, there’s administrators – everybody is clearing the path and setting things up for them do to that. I can’t express how important that was for this project.” Mr. Cox went on to recognize Superintendent Dr. Minney, former Superintendent, Ms. Patricia Lowther, the SBA, the current and previous members of the Board of Education, and many others.
Following the speakers, Mr. Cox and the FFA officers took attendees into the new classroom for a tour of the new facilities. Highlights of the tour were the mechanisms that ensure students can hoist, slice, grind, and otherwise process meat in a safe, orderly fashion. Much of the equipment on display was custom tailored to the size of the space and the needs of the organization. The new equipment will provide students with a world-class experience. “Personally, I’m really excited. I really like packing the meat and grinding meat and sausage. The experience in here is really amazing. I love this kind of stuff, and I’m looking forward to the whole experience,” said Elijah Bourn, FFA Vice President and GCHS Senior. The future of the Ham/Bacon program and meat processing at GCHS seems bright, as members indicated that the future of the program not only held potential for more student involvement but also the possibility of smoked chicken dinners, sales of packaged meat, and hint of a farm-to-table initiative.
The FFA is hosting an open house for community members on Thursday, November 16th from 5 to 7 PM. This event is a great opportunity to get a tour of the new classroom and see how it will be used to provide rich educational experiences for the students of Gilmer County.
