Monday, March 18, 2013

Foster Farms, Fresno State dedicate poultry research facility


    Fresno State University has dedicated its new Foster Farms Poultry Education and Research Facility at Fresno State's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. The facility features a fully working, state-of-the-art poultry barn and is a reflection of the longstanding support of agricultural education and ongoing advancements in poultry science by major West Coast poultry producer Foster Farms.
    The facility has been certified by the 136-year-old American Humane Association. This is the first time an educational and research center has earned this certification.
    The 16,320-square-foot, eco-friendly, power-efficient building will include advanced climate-control and feed delivery systems replicating professional poultry production. The facility has been designed to provide hands-on agricultural training and education for more than 500 students in the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education Department. Faculty and students will also conduct research in the areas of poultry nutrition, animal welfare and improved environmental practices.
    The new educational and research facility will meet the same stringent animal welfare standards used by American Humane Association's American Humane Certified program, the nation's first, largest and fastest-growing farm animal welfare certification and audit program. The program is based on the implementation and independent, third-party verification of more than rigorous 200 science-based animal welfare standards, covering everything from food and water toliving conditions, lighting, ventilation, minimum space requirements, and the ability of animals to express natural behavior.
    The dedication was made in conjunction with a major joint animal welfare announcement from American Humane Association and Foster Farms, which revealed that all the producer's fresh chicken products are now certified under the nonprofit's American Humane Certified program.
    "American Humane Association is dedicated to the idea that all animals are entitled to humane treatment," said Kathi Brock, National Director of American Humane Association's Humane Heartland program. "We are very pleased to certify Fresno State's education and research facilities in its adherence to our rigorous, science-based animal welfare standards."

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