The new UGA Poultry Science Building was made possible through a $54.1 million public-private partnership, with half of the funding goal allocated by the Georgia legislature and equipment assistance from a federal grant. Additional private and industry support combine with public funding to uphold UGA as the global epicenter of poultry science.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms has announced an additional $2 million donation for the new Poultry Science Building at the University of Georgia. The gift brings project support from the Georgia-based poultry producer to $4.1 million.

The combined gift will name the Poultry Science Building student lobby, a 1,300-square-foot space for students to study and network with industry partners.

“The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is continually grateful for our partnership with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and this new gift to support our student lobby showcases their commitment to the future of the poultry industry,” said Nick Place, CAES dean and director. “This space fosters collaboration and gives students a space to prepare for their future careers, which will ultimately serve to make Georgia’s poultry industry stronger, more resilient and successful as these students take the reins as leaders.”

Celebrating the longtime support of UGA poultry science

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, employing more than 26,000 team members and working with more than 2,000 family farms.

The company, which owns and operates 23 fresh and further-processing facilities throughout the Southeast, has been a longtime supporter of the CAES Department of Poultry Science, one of the top programs in the nation.

“At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we are proud to invest in the future of agriculture and contribute to the continued strength of Georgia’s poultry industry,” said Kevin McDaniel, president and chief executive officer of Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “This state-of-the-art facility and student lobby reflect the University of Georgia’s commitment to advancing poultry science, and we look forward to the enduring positive impact it will have on students, researchers and the broader industry for years to come.”

CAES advances poultry science with cutting-edge facility

A combined gift from Wayne-Sanderson Farms will name the Poultry Science Building student lobby, a 1,300-square-foot space for students to study and network with industry partners. (Photo by Lavi Del Carmen Astacio)

Situated on UGA’s South Campus, the 70,000-plus square-foot Poultry Science Building provides nearly double the space per student in each classroom than the previous facility, growing from roughly 17 square feet to 28 to 30 square feet per student.

Additional updates include new labs and collaborative spaces, a food safety intervention space where researchers can run validations of poultry processing methods to reduce common foodborne pathogens, and much-needed infrastructure updates.

“Through our campaigns, we’ve solidified and built new partnerships with many in the private sector. We are immensely thankful for the continued support from Wayne-Sanderson Farms as we prepare the next generation of leaders for the poultry industry in Georgia and beyond,” said Todd Applegate, poultry science department head and R. Harold and Patsy Harrison Chair in Poultry Science.

The Poultry Science Building was made possible through a $54.1 million public-private partnership, with half of the funding goal allocated by the Georgia legislature and equipment assistance from a federal grant. Additional private and industry support combine with public funding to uphold UGA as the global epicenter of poultry science.

To learn more about the Poultry Science Building project, visit poultrybuilding.caes.uga.edu. To make a gift to the CAES Department of Poultry Science, visit the CAES giving page.