REGIONAL APPROACH FOR VALUE ADDED LIVESTOCK OPPORTUNITIES IN VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA
Animal Science
Rodney Leech
Animal Science
Monterey
Abstract
Livestock commodity leaders teamed up with business and professional representatives to study, design and build a regional agricultural center in the Allegheny Highlands of Virginia and West Virginia. The steering committee, organized and advised by Extension, used USDA grants to determine producer needs and feasibility for an educational, marketing, and livestock harvest/processing facility to provide the needed infrastructure that will enhance the sustainability of a fleeing agriculture community. The results included a private donation for land, many volunteer hours, a $480,000 low interest government loan, and producer and private investment in stock for one million dollars to build the Allegheny Highlands Agricultural Center, LLC. The facility includes scales and pens to accommodate 600 head of cattle or sheep for live sales, a USDA inspected slaughter and meat processing center to handle 20 beef equivalent per week, and a multipurpose room for youth and adult educational activities. Eight years of evaluation, planning, designing and construction have yielded a first class facility that opened fully in the first quarter of 2012 and continues to add services to livestock producers. This facility was designed so that it can be replicated in other rural communities that have a similar infrastructure need.
Authors: Leech, R.
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Leech, R. Animal Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24465