WILBURTON, Okla. – Eastern Oklahoma State College recently hosted an open house to showcase the college’s newly-renovated Meats Lab.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur was on hand to participate in a tour of the facility and speak to the nearly 50 people in attendance. Senator Warren Hamilton, Representative Jim Grego, Kiamichi Technology Center Superintendent Shelley Free, Choctaw Nation Councilwoman Jennifer Woods and several members of the Eastern Board of Regents were also in attendance.
The college’s meat processing facility was awarded a $600,000 grant from the Oklahoma Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Board to fund renovations and purchase new equipment in 2020. The grant was used to expand freezer space, update cooling rooms and purchase new equipment.
These improvements have allowed faculty to update and improve their teaching methods. New equipment purchased with grant funds will better prepare students to enter the meat and food processing industry by more closely reflecting the equipment students will use in their careers.
(Back Row, left to right) EOSC Regent Eric Bilderback, EOSC Regent Larry Spradley, Senator Warren Hamilton, EOSC Regent Latt Jeffrey, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Choctaw Nation Councilwoman Jennifer Woods, EOSC Meat Processing & Food Safety Instructor Logan Rea, (Front Row, left to right) EOSC Regent Teresa Jackson, EOSC President Dr. Janet Wansick, and EOSC Dean of Agriculture Larriann Livingston.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur addresses the guests gathered for the event.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur
EOSC Regent Latt Jeffrey, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, EOSC Dean of Agriculture Larriann Livingston, EOSC President Dr. Janet Wansick, EOSC Regent Larry Spradley, and EOSC Meat Processing & Food Safety Instructor Logan Rea
EOSC Meat Processing & Food Safety Instructor Logan Rea provides a tour of the renovated Meats Lab.