Students at Unaka High School have found an innovative way to apply their skills for community service.
The meat processing program, the only one of its kind in the state, has partnered with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation to donate venison to the hungry in the community through the TWF program Hunters for the Hungry.
From 30 deer harvested in this region, the class is donating about 1,200 pounds of ground venison to Second Harvest Food Bank.
“The kids process it all themselves and it all goes back to the community,” said Joshua Armentrout, instructor of the meat processing class.
The majority of the deer were brought in by students, and Armentrout expects to receive a few more as the second annual youth deer hunting season takes place this weekend. The youngest hunter to donate his kill was 14, he said. Through this program, about 30 percent of the deer processed this semester are being donated to the hungry.
The Hunger Challenge is not necessarily geared towards schools; it us open to hunters and processors across the state. The advantage of having their own meat processing shop made it possible for Unaka High School to participate. Armentrout said TWF contacted them to see if they would be interested in participating in the program. The school signed on midway through the challenge last year but this year the students were able to participate in the full program.
“The students wanted to take it on, so we said we’d do it,” said Armentrout. “This is our way of giving back to the community.”
The Hunger Challenge began September 21st and ends January 16. The program provides funding to more than 80 game processors in 63 counties, and since 1998 has provided 4.7 million meals to Tennesseans in need.
Thanks to the unique opportunity to process meat at no cost at UHS, no funds were needed to cover processing costs.
Students raise money by processing meat from the community. These funds support the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter, cover travel expenses for trips and equipment costs. The class recently purchased a cattle chute to steer cattle into the processing building.
The program at UHS is the only start to finish high school program of its kind in the state, and Armentrout said he believes it is the only one of its kind in the country.
“It’s very, very unique,” explained Armentrout. John Hardin of H&H Meat Market started the program in 1982, and it makes it possible for people to bring in cows, pigs and sheep live to be completely processed. Armentrout said they also process deer and even some bear.
“We don’t sell any meat,” he said. “It all goes back to the producer.”
Other than a 45 cent per pound fee, the program provides an affordable service for the community as well as serving the purpose of education.
Students may take the class repeatedly, earning up to four credits, and some go straight into the field after graduating. Seniors Savannah Wood and Jacob Graybeal, who have taken the class multiple times, said it is a skill they can always use or fall back on if they pursue other career goals.
Along with fellow student Israel Harrah, they said that being able to put their skills to work to help feed the hungry was very rewarding.
“It’s nice to be able to do this for the community to help feed people right here,” said Wood.