Jonesboro, Ark. – Arkansas State University is set to celebrate the completion of a $750,000 upgrade to its College of Agriculture meat laboratory on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Judd Hill Farmers’ Market, followed by a guided tour of the newly equipped lab in room 131.
State grant fuels modern equipment
The upgrade was made possible by a grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development. The funding covered a new roof, refrigeration improvements, and a suite of commercial‑grade machines, including a roll‑stock vacuum packaging system, a snack‑stick cutting unit, a vacuum stuffer, a meat grinder and a meat mixer.
Training students for real‑world jobs
Meat lab director Corey Readnour explained that the new equipment creates a high‑speed snack‑stick production line that mirrors operations found in commercial processing plants. “These upgrades were to implement a high‑speed snack stick line and train students on updated, state‑of‑the‑art equipment that you would find in a commercial operation,” Readnour said.
Students in the College of Agriculture will now have the opportunity to operate the machinery, learn proper food‑safety protocols, and gain experience that prepares them for careers in the meat‑processing industry. “We have been working on fine‑tuning the process and product development while waiting for the new equipment to be installed,” Readnour added. “Now we are ready to launch large‑scale production.”
Partnership feeds Arkansas children
Since the fall of 2023, the lab has partnered with Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH) to produce snack sticks for weekend backpack programs that serve children across the state. AHFH distributes the snacks to 70 schools in 48 counties, providing a nutritious, portable option for students on the go.
Readnour said the upgraded lab will allow the program to reach even more children. “The equipment will streamline production and allow the program to benefit more children in Arkansas,” he said.
Community impact
The dedication underscores A‑State’s commitment to practical education and community service. By linking classroom learning with a statewide hunger‑relief effort, the university demonstrates how higher‑education institutions can serve both the local economy and families throughout Arkansas.
Local officials and community leaders are expected to attend the ceremony, highlighting the collaborative spirit between the university, state agencies, and nonprofit partners.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
