FAPC-DARP Processing partnership recognized by Oklahoma Regents
By Kylee Willard
FAPC Communications Services Graduate Assistant
(Stillwater, Okla. – May 17, 2011) The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recognized Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center and DARP Processing for their successful partnership at the 2011 Economic Development Partnership Recognition reception on April 26.
“One goal of the FAPC is to help develop successful value-added enterprises,” said Jake Nelson, FAPC value-added meat processing specialist. “The relationship of the FAPC and DARP Processing works to achieve many goals of the FAPC.”
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant and Partnership Recognition Program featured 22 successful partnerships between higher education intuitions and businesses. Through State Regent’s Economic Development Grants, higher education is encouraged to business associates in Oklahoma.
“The grant program provides tuition waivers to employees, internship opportunities to institution students and faculty externships with the partnering business,” Nelson said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for educational institutions to identify and meet the instructional needs of the workforce.”
DARP Processing is a small-scale USDA inspected and State of Oklahoma certified environmentally friendly poultry establishment in Gideon, Okla.
According to the DARP Processing website, DARP Processing prides on feeding its birds all natural feed containing no antibiotics, hormones or animal byproducts. Birds at the Gideon facility are raised from day old chicks to their target market weight.
“The facility has the slaughter capacity of around 1,000 birds per day,” Nelson said.
DARP Processing made contact with the FAPC in July 2009. Since, the FAPC has provided training and technical assistance. The FAPC aided DARP Processing with membership in the Oklahoma Food Cooperative. Additionally, the FAPC serves as a preliminary drop-off point for product deliveries to Stillwater area customers.
“This venture has created business opportunities for many poultry producers in Oklahoma,” said Jim Brooks, FAPC business planning and marketing services manager. “This partnership can be used as an example for other Oklahoma small businesses that wish to receive technical assistance from the FAPC.”
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Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world. Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 32,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 19,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and about 110 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world. CREATE - INNOVATE - EDUCATE - GO STATE!
