Volume 5, Issue 3 :: November-December 2000
FoodPAC Sponsors Efforts to Conduct Feasibility Studies to Help Expand Rural Georgia’s Fruit, Vegetable, & Nut Industry In his FY 2001 budget, Governor Roy Barnes targeted $200,000 through FoodPAC to assist in the development of value-added marketing and/or processing of fruits, vegetables, and nuts in rural Georgia. This past June, the FoodPAC Steering Committee decided that the effort would seek feasibility proposals from producer-owned cooperative groups, and would be managed through the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development under the leadership of Dr. John McKissick. It was also agreed that coordination would involve Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute, Georgia Southern University, and Valdosta State University. A call for proposals was issued early this fall, welcoming requests for feasibility studies on market potential for specific value-added products, technical studies on the feasibility of specific processing techniques, or economic/financial feasibility studies to determine the total economic feasibility of a proposed value-added processing venture. Eight proposals from individuals representing cooperatives throughout rural Georgia were received. These proposals sought feasibility assessments in several areas, ranging from brand name development to positioning agricultural commodities for a regional economic advantage. The Steering Committee met November 20 in Macon, Georgia, to review the proposals and make selections for funding. After careful review, the Committee decided to fund all eight proposals at a total of $145,000. Of the remaining $55,000 in available funds, $30,000 had already been allocated for administrative costs, leaving $25,000 to initiate a comprehensive fruit, vegetable, and nut production and processing inventory and market potential assessment study by the University of Georgia. The funded studies should be underway by January 1, 2001, and must be completed by June 30, 2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call for Proposals Format on the Web The FY 2002 FoodPAC Call for Proposals packet was mailed in early November. If you have not received a copy and would like one, go to FoodPAC’s website at http://foodpac.gatech.edu. Project proposals are due Friday, February 2, 2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remember… Submit comments and story ideas to Angela Colar, Editor at (404) 894-3412 or angela.colar@gtri.gatech.edu		Ammonia Refrigeration Training Institute Established in Oakwood The Georgia Ammonia Refrigeration Training Institute (GARTI) will offer a technician training program beginning in January 2001. Located on the campus of Lanier Technical Institute in Oakwood, Ga., the training institute will offer a professional certification program designed to train operators of ammonia refrigeration systems. According to John Sherrill, program director, the program is only the second in the world with a hands-on, functional industrial laboratory. Coursework is designed for entry-level candidates and individuals wishing to upgrade their skills. The program includes 160 hours of classroom and equipment hands-on training. The classroom training will utilize training materials developed by the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association. These materials include training manuals on the various aspects of the system and a computer simulation program that can be used to create various problems for the students. The equipment hands-on training will include the actual operation of a pilot-scale refrigeration system. The proposed outline of study for Ammonia Refrigerant Operator 1 follows: • Basic Electricity • Basic Electricity II — Ladder Diagrams • Control Theory and Fundamentals I • Control Theory and Fundamentals II • Industrial Refrigeration I • Industrial Refrigeration II — Systems • Industrial Refrigeration III — Maintenance • Industrial Refrigeration IV — Safety • Computer Simulation • Pilot-scale System Operation • RMP/PSM Certification is made possible through a joint partnership of Lanier Technical Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association. For more information, contact John Sherrill at (770) 531-2565. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FoodPAC Welcomes Newest Members FoodPAC welcomes the following individuals who have volunteered their time and expertise to serve on one of the three Technical Committees. Environmental Technical Committee Doug Carnes, Mar-Jac Poultry Processing David Wicker, Fieldale Farms Corp. Food Safety Technical Committee Rex Holt, Georgia Department of Agriculture Bob Lauxen, Fieldale Farms Corp. Ron Lowry, Gold Kist Inc. Sue Patterson, Mar-Jac Poultry Processing Process & Product Competitiveness Technical Committee Doug Hatley, Fieldale Farms Corp. Jim Hewell, Dapec Greg Tench, Mar-Jac Poultry Processing

For further information on FoodPAC, please contact: Executive Coordinator: Mr. Gary Black - Georgia Agribusiness Council, (770) 242-3834 Environmental Coordinator: Dr. Dale Threadgill- University of Georgia, (706) 542-1653 Food Safety Coordinator: Dr. Michael Doyle - University of Georgia, (660) 228-7284 Product/Process Competitiveness Coordinator: Mr. Craig Wyvill - Georgia Tech, (404) 894-3412

Making Georgia the national and international leader in the food processing industry in the 21st century

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