FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Fort Valley State University broke ground on a new cold vegetable facility Thursday, July 18.
School officials said it will help students and local farmers market quality produce in Georgia's good and agriculture sector. The US Department of Agriculture funded the $1.6 million project through the 1890 Facilities Grant. The university said they expect it to be open in the fall of 2025.
Amos Lawrence owns and operates a farm in Taylor County; he's a FVSU alumni. He said farming has been in his family for generations. The Hartford, Connecticut native used to manage a small grocery store, and he said it's important people know how to choose fresh produce.
Lawrence said he grows all kinds of crops but preserving their shelf life can be a challenge due to limited cooler space.
He said he currently has three coolers; all are makeshift coolers that were previously freezers. He has a background in electric work, heating and cooling.
"I put a thermostat in there and I could use it as a refrigerator," Lawrence said.
FVSU officials said they acknowledge the challenge in sustaining high quality produce. They wanted to help provide a local resource for farmers in the area, who they said could benefit from having access to more.
"This is an added value and small farmers like my daughters will have access to produce like the commercial farmers," Lawrence said.
The school's Director of Land Grant Affairs, Mark Latimore, said it will be a great start for students looking to break into Georgia's No. 1 industry.
"When you look at Georgia today, the food industry, the processing industry, its constantly increasing, so we want our students to be prepared," Latimore said.
After the crops mature, farmers will be able to take them to the facility, wash them and package them, until they're ready to hit the market.
"With this new facility well be able to harvest, load up, go on to the new facility where you got the proper refrigeration," Lawrence said.