Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Last week, several Wayne-Sanderson Farms team members attended the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference held in Destin, Florida. Beginning in 1970, this conference serves to encourage women in the poultry industry to continue professional development by emphasizing leadership, management traits, and people skills. This year marked the largest conference attendance ever, with over 180 women in attendance from across the industry. Attendees learned about a variety of topics including leadership styles for successful teams, stress management, building trust and financial matters. Among the sessions was a panel discussion, “Leading While Living: How Do Leaders Do It All?” which featured our very own team member, Kerry Fohner, Senior Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety for our Prepared Foods business unit. Kerry states, “It was an honor to represent Wayne-Sanderson Farms among 180+ women leaders at the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s Women’s Leadership Conference as a panelist. Our discussions centered around our journey as women in the poultry industry— how to overcome barriers, building confidence, finding balance, utilizing key mentors and what advice we would give new women entering the poultry industry. My goal as a panelist was to tell my story and hopefully relay to not give up in your journey— there will be challenges, and some days that will test you, but the next day will open your eyes to something AMAZING that will remind you why you do this every day!” Wayne-Sanderson Farms is proud of our team for attending this conference, showcasing their commitment to excellence by pursuing leadership and growth opportunities! #MakingChickenAmazing

Meet Fatima Revilla, 2024 summer intern for Wayne-Sanderson Farms, who spent her summer at the Decatur, Alabama Prepared Foods facility, working alongside the quality assurance team to analyze materials and deliver a system that improves consistency around raw material specification compliance. Fatima enjoyed interning at Wayne-Sanderson Farms because, “[the internship] helped me build my resume, create a network, and equipped me with skills that I would not have been able to obtain anywhere else,” she stated. She notes that the highlight of her internship was the support received from her intern sponsor, stating that, “I can count on him for anything.” Along with the healthy work environment at the facility, Fatima also expressed her appreciation for the broader team, commenting that they offered support and helped her learn by sharing stories of their experiences in quality assurance. Thank you, Fatima, for your part in #MakingChickenAmazing!

As the new school year begins, team members from Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Regional Office in Laurel, Mississippi are taking part in the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel, MS’s Secret Meals program. This vital initiative addresses food insecurity by providing nutritious snack bags to elementary students across Jones County and Laurel. The Secret Meals program, chaired by our very own Regulatory Affairs Manager, Brittany Kerr, involves a team of passionate community members partnering to execute the packing and distribution of nearly 300 bags each week. Each bag contains around 11 non-perishable items, ensuring students have something to eat over the weekend when school meals are unavailable. "The students look forward to these bags because they know that somebody cares," Brittany shared. "It gives them a sense of security and safety, knowing they'll have something to eat over the weekend. This year, the program has seen increased demand, with the need for support growing alongside it. The Junior Auxiliary of Laurel relies on community contributions to meet the program's annual operating cost of $36,000, and the involvement of the Laurel Regional Office team highlights the collective effort required to make a difference. This program is a powerful example of how our community comes together to support those in need, and we’re proud of the dedication and teamwork demonstrated by our employees who are members of the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel: Alicia Walker, Senior Director of QA & Food Safety; Elizabeth "Liz" Pitts, Manager of Internal Product Sales; Emily Pickering, Communications Supervisor; Katie Beth Axton, Senior Manager of National Accounts; and Marissa Landon, Communication Specialist. #MakingChickenAmazing

Meet Ben Hossain, Wayne-Sanderson Farms 2024 summer intern, who took on the role of corporate data science intern at the company’s Regional Office in Laurel, Mississippi. This summer, Ben worked on a project focusing on the deployment of enterprise asset management software, studying how to improve the process of training employees on a new software system. Through this project, Ben was able to turn his classroom knowledge into a real-world impact. “The data cleansing skills I learned should help me a lot in my future career,” said Ben. “I had the opportunity to work with employees on-site and learn about the challenges people face when using a new software/system.” Supported by mentors and a collaborative team, Ben received the coaching and guidance he needed to thrive. “The team helped me with my project by answering any questions I had and provided great feedback. The people here are great and always available to help you.” At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we’re committed to providing every intern with opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference. Ben’s experience is a testament to the power of hands-on learning and the impact of a supportive team! #MakingChickenAmazing

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is excited to announce our partnership with GreenGasUSA to produce renewable natural gas across a portfolio of our facilities throughout the Southeastern United States! Together, we’re driving renewable energy production and advancing a sustainable future. See the post below for the link to the full press release. #MakingChickenAmazing

At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we know that our people are integral to Making Chicken Amazing. This quarter, we're focusing on the People Pillar of our Amazing Starts With Me employee engagement program, which is all about celebrating our team and the ways they give back to their local communities. Watch this video to learn more about the People Pillar! #MakingChickenAmazing

#MakingChickenAmazing takes a team of dedicated individuals working together to deliver an amazing poultry product. Today, we are recognizing two of our dedicated team members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries in their tenure with Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Help us congratulate Gerald and Renae on this accomplishment! #WayneSandersonMilestones

Today, Wayne-Sanderson Farms is highlighting another intern from our amazing 2024 summer intern cohort! Meet Becky Bass, who spent her summer at the Enterprise, Alabama plant, working on a project focusing on tender quality and yield. By completing an internship with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Becky noted that she feels better prepared to enter the workforce after graduation. “I believe my time at Wayne-Sanderson this summer has taught me a lot about the poultry industry as a whole,” she said. “There are things at this plant that I have never seen in person before, that I was able to watch in action and understand. I also learned how to complete a project by doing things like conducting tests and taking data samples to come to an informed conclusion. I think I can take these skills anywhere with me, from my last semester of school to when I get a job in the industry.” Throughout her internship, Becky enjoyed working with the team at the Enterprise plant, and felt supported and valued by her intern sponsor and coworkers. “The highlight of my internship so far has been being able to meet people and make connections in the industry,” said Becky. “I believe I can learn something from everyone here, especially because there is such a diverse mix of people with all kinds of life and job experiences.” Wayne-Sanderson Farms is proud to help cultivate the future leaders of the poultry industry by offering our interns hands-on experience and real-world work opportunities! #MakingChickenAmazing

#MakingChickenAmazing takes a team of dedicated individuals working together to deliver an amazing poultry product. Today, we are recognizing two of our dedicated team members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries in their tenure with Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Help us congratulate Brenda and Robert on this accomplishment! #WayneSandersonMilestones

As the Wayne-Sanderson Farms 2024 Summer Internship Program has concluded, we proudly highlight the contributions and achievements of our talented interns. Their dedication and innovation have made a significant impact on our company and the industry. Today, we are shining a spotlight on Camron Parker who interned at the company’s Laurel, Mississippi complex. This summer, Camron’s internship project was focused on two main tasks, conducting comprehensive research on chicken breast products and addressing packaging waste reduction. “These dual responsibilities provided me with a holistic understanding of poultry health management and sustainable practices within the food industry,” said Camron. “The work I have done at Wayne-Sanderson Farms has provided me with practical skills, industry insights, and a solid foundation in both poultry health management and sustainable practices, enhancing my readiness for a successful career in the agricultural or food industry.” Throughout the 12-week program, interns receive dedicated mentorship from a sponsor, and the local team is committed to fostering continuous learning and professional development opportunities each day for interns at their complex. “My sponsor provided invaluable guidance and support throughout my internship. Additionally, my dedicated team members welcomed me warmly, fostering a collaborative environment where I learned from their expertise and shared experiences.” For Camron, Wayne-Sanderson Farms provided the ideal environment to gain real-world work experience. “[Wayne-Sanderson Farms’] emphasis on sustainable agriculture and continuous innovation aligns perfectly with my career goals and values. The opportunity to contribute to a respected company that prioritizes excellence and ethical standards in food production is highly appealing to me.” As for the highlight of his internship, Camron notes, “The highlight of my internship at Wayne-Sanderson Farms has been the opportunity to contribute to innovative poultry production practices and witness their impact firsthand.” Thank you, Camron, for your contributions to #MakingChickenAmazing!