August 19, 2005 – Susan Hammons

Sen. Hutchison announces $200,000 in funding for SFA poultry science program

NACOGDOCHES- Stephen F. Austin State University will receive $200,000 from the federal government for the poultry science program, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced during a tour of the university's Poultry Research Center today.

Hutchison, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the Environmental Protection Agency money that she helped secure will serve as the "first-level of funding" for state-of-the-art pullet and broiler breeder facilities SFA plans to build.

"We want to continue to build on the expertise that has already started," Hutchison said.

SFA is one of only two universities in Texas that offers a major in poultry science and is located in the area with the highest density of poultry production in the state. Shelby and Nacogdoches are the top two broiler counties in the state.

Hutchison said that among her priorities in the Senate has been to encourage Texas universities with research capabilities to build on their strengths. Citing the forestry program and its forestry management degree and the poultry science program, the senator called SFA "one of our brightest stars" in pinpointing its centers of excellence.

"I think SFA has known what they should be doing ,and they have brought me the projects that will enhance those strengths," she said..

SFA President Tito Guerrero called Hutchison a good friend of SFA who has been responsible for the Nacogdoches area receiving more than $13 million to meet educational and transportation needs since he has been at the university.

SFA's poultry science program has grown in the number of students and facilities in recent years, while other poultry science programs in the United States have seen enrollment decreases. Facilities include a modern feed mill, a pen house, a pilot processing plant, a hatchery, four state-of-the-art commercial broiler houses and classrooms for teaching and poultry industry meetings. Students gain hands-on experience by working in all facilities.

The planned broiler breeder facilities would allow the university to teach and conduct research in different aspects of avian reproduction under commercial conditions, something that no university can offer, administrators say.

"These funds will strengthen the poultry industry by enhancing teaching, training and research at this state-of-the-art facility," Hutchison said in a news release. "New resources for this growing program will help East Texas expand its role as a leader in the field."