Food Safety and 

Inspection Service

Office of Field 

Operations

Atlanta District Office 

100 Alabama St., SW. 

Suite 3R90

Atlanta, GA. 30303

Phone: 404-562-5900

Fax: 404-562-5877

Toll Free:

800-282-7005

July 26, 2023 CERTIFIED MAIL

ELECTRONIC MAIL on July 26, 2023

Circle F Farms Meat Processing 

M1155

324 Azalea Road

Baxley, GA 31513 

@woodyfolsom.com

(912) 218-0042 

Attention: Mr. Woody Folsom, Owner

NOTICE OF SUSPENSION

This letter serves as official notification by the Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (FSIS) of our decision to withhold the federal marks of inspection and 

suspend the assignment of Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) at Circle F 

Farms Meat Processing, located at 324 Azalea Road, Baxley GA, 31513. This 

letter follows verbal notification of the suspension action, provided by 

, District Veterinary Medical Specialist, to Mr. Jamie Hall, Plant 

Manager at approximately 10:45AM on July 25, 2023. This action includes 

your Slaughter Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) processes 

employed at your establishment. 

The decision to institute this enforcement action is in accordance with Title 9 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Rules of Practice 500.3(b), based on 

the determination that your establishment did not handle or slaughter animals 

humanely. The evidence demonstrates failure to comply with the Federal Meat 

Inspection Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 603), the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act 

(HMSA) (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), and the regulatory requirements (9 CFR Part 

313).

Background/Authority

The FMIA (21 USC 601 et seq.) provides it is essential to the public interest 

that the health and welfare of consumers be protected, by assuring meat 

products distributed to them are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly 

marked, and labeled. The Act gives FSIS the authority, as designated by the 

Secretary of Agriculture, to prescribe rules and regulations describing

sanitation requirements for inspected establishments and provide FSIS program 

personnel the authority to refuse to allow meat/meat food products to be

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

(b) (6) (b) (6) (b) (6)
Mr. Woody Folsom, Owner

Circle F Farms Meat Processing, M1155

Notice of Suspension 

July 26, 2023

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

marked, labeled, stamped, or tagged as inspected and passed, to prevent the entry of 

adulterated products into commerce. Furthermore, the FMIA provides FSIS the authority 

to appoint inspectors to examine and inspect the method by which livestock are 

slaughtered and handled at slaughtering establishments. 

The HMSA provides that Congress finds that the use of humane methods in the slaughter 

of livestock prevents needless suffering; results in safer and better working conditions for 

persons engaged in the slaughtering industry; brings about improvement of products and 

economies in slaughtering operations; and produces other benefits for producers, 

processors, and consumers which tend to expedite an orderly flow of livestock and 

livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce. It is therefore declared to be the 

policy of the United States that the slaughtering of livestock and the handling of 

livestock in connection with slaughter shall be carried out only by humane methods. 

Under the authority of the Acts, FSIS has prescribed rules and regulations required for 

establishments slaughtering and handling livestock, as required by 9 CFR Part 313. FSIS 

has also developed the Rules of Practice regarding administrative enforcement, 9 CFR 

Part 500. The Rules of Practice describe the types of enforcement actions that FSIS may 

take and include procedures for taking a withholding action and/or suspension, with or 

without prior notification, and for filing a complaint to withdraw a grant of inspection. 

Specifically, 9 CFR 500.3(b) states that FSIS may impose a suspension without providing 

prior notification due to handling or slaughtering of animals inhumanely. 

Findings/Basis for Action

This Notice of Suspension is based upon your establishment being in violation of 9 CFR

313.16 (a) (1), 9 CFR 313.16 (a) (3), 9 CFR 313.16 (b) (1) (i), 9 CFR 313.16 (b) (1) (ii),

9 CFR 313.16 (b) (1) (iii), 9 CFR 313.16 (b) (1) (iv), and 9 CFR 313.16 (a) (2).

9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1) states: The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or 

projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate 

unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown,

cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered 

unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. 

9 CFR 313.16 (a) (3) states: Immediately after the firearm is discharged and the

projectile is delivered, the animal shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and 

remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking and bleeding. 

9 CFR 313.16 (b)(1)(i) states: On discharge, acceptable firearms dispatch free projectiles 

or bullets of varying sizes and diameters through the skull and into the brain. 

Unconsciousness is produced immediately by a combination of physical brain destruction 

and changes in intracranial pressure. Caliber of firearms shall be such that when 

properly aimed and discharged, the projectile produces immediate unconsciousness. 
Mr. Woody Folsom, Owner

Circle F Farms Meat Processing, M1155

Notice of Suspension 

July 26, 2023

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

9 CFR 313.16 (b)(1)(ii) states: To assure uniform unconsciousness of the animal with 

every discharge where small-bore firearms are employed, it is necessary to use one of the 

following type projectiles: Hollow pointed bullets; frangible iron plastic composition 

bullets; or powdered iron missiles. When powdered iron missiles are used, the firearms 

shall be in close proximity with the skull of the animal when fired. Firearms must be 

maintained in good repair. For purposes of protecting employees, inspectors and others, 

it is desirable that all firearms be equipped with safety devices to prevent injuries from 

accidental discharge. Aiming and discharging of firearms should be directed away from 

operating areas. 

9 CFR 313.16 (b)(1)(iii) states: The provisions contained in §313.15(b)(1)(iii) with

respect to the stunning area also apply to the shooting area. 

9 CFR 313.16 (b)(1)(iv) states: The shooting operation is an exacting procedure and 

requires a well-trained and experienced operator. He must be able to accurately direct 

the projectile to produce immediate unconsciousness. He must use the correct caliber 

firearm, powder charge and type of ammunition to produce the desired results. 

9 CFR 313.16 (b)(2) states: Choice of firearms and ammunition with respect to caliber 

and choice of powder charge required to produce immediate unconsciousness of the 

animal may vary depending on age and sex of the animal. In the case of bulls, rams, and 

boars, small bore firearms may be used provided they are able to produce immediate 

unconsciousness of the animals. Small bore firearms are usually effective for stunning 

other cattle, sheep, swine, and goats, and calves, horses, and mules. 

Specifically, on Tuesday July 25, 2023, approximately 7:49 AM while verifying the 

establishment’s stunning procedures, Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) observed the 

following humane handling noncompliance at Circle F Farms Meat Processing, M1155.

A steer was loaded into the knock box, the operator took a .22 magnum rifle, aimed it at 

the head of the steer and fired. The steer remained standing and bellowed. The operator 

immediately fired a second shot, and blood rushed from the nose, but the steer continued 

to stand and bellow. Then the operator fired a third shot, but the steer remained standing, 

continued to bleed and bellow. IPP observed the operator walk off the kill floor to the 

hallway, retrieve a 9mm pistol, return to the kill floor and fire a fourth shot which 

rendered the steer unconscious. IPP tagged the knock box with U.S Rejected Tag No. 

B36849155 and verbally notified Mr. Jamie Hall, Plant Manager, of the noncompliance. 

Establishment personnel skinned the head and on post-mortem inspection IPP observed 

that the head had one perfectly round hole placed in the center of a line drawn from the 

medial canthus of each eye. Approximately 1 inch above the round hole, there was a 

much bigger opening into the sinuses, with very irregular edges and placed more to the 

right of the midline. This is a violation of 9CFR313.16 (a) (3). 
Mr. Woody Folsom, Owner

Circle F Farms Meat Processing, M1155

Notice of Suspension 

July 26, 2023

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

On September 9, 2004, FSIS published "Humane Handling and Slaughter Requirements 

and the Merits of a Systematic Approach to Meet Such Requirements" in the Federal 

Register (69 FR 54625). On September 24, 2020, FSIS released FSIS Directive 6900.2 

Revision 3, entitled, "Humane Handling and Slaughter of Livestock." Additionally, on 

October 23, 2013, FSIS introduced new guidance, titled "FSIS Compliance Guide for a 

Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock." Within the guidance 

material is information intended to better ensure the humane treatment of livestock 

presented for slaughter. The guidance material provides a set of practices designed to 

minimize excitement, discomfort, and accidental injury regarding the humane handling of 

livestock to include the four components of a robust systematic approach to humane 

handling.

When an establishment maintains a robust humane handling program, FSIS can exercise 

regulatory discretion when an inhumane handling or slaughter incident is observed. You 

do not currently maintain a robust humane handing program for consideration. 

Summary and Conclusion

Provisions of the FMIA outline FSIS’ ability to refuse to render inspection and 

indefinitely withdraw inspection from an establishment, provided the establishment is 

afforded the right to an administrative hearing, when conditions exist where the slaughter 

and/or handling of livestock was not by a method in accordance with the Act(s).

Evidence demonstrates your failure to meet regulatory requirements addressed in 9 CFR

313.16 (a)(1), 9 CFR 313.16(a)(3), 9 CFR 313.16(b)(1)(i), 9 CFR 313.16(b)(1)(ii), 9 CFR

313.16(b)(1)(iii), 9 CFR 313.16(b)(1)(iv), and 9 CFR 313.16(b)(2), constituting a 

violation of the humane slaughter requirements, and supporting the conclusion that your 

handling of livestock violated the provisions of the FMIA and HMSA. 

Please provide a written response, inclusive of written corrective action and preventative 

measures, by addressing the following: 

• Evaluate and identify the nature, cause of the incident.

• Describe the specific actions taken to eliminate the cause of the incident and 

prevent future recurrences. 

• Describe specific monitoring activities planned to ensure future compliance.

• Provide any supporting documentation and records maintained and/or associated 

with the proposed corrective actions and preventative measures.

A determination of further administrative action will be made upon receipt and review of 

your submitted corrective actions and preventative measures. You are reminded that, as 

an operator of a federally inspected establishment, you are expected to comply with FSIS 

regulations and to take appropriate corrective actions to prevent the production of or 

adulterated products at your establishment. Please be advised that your failure to respond
Mr. Woody Folsom, Owner

Circle F Farms Meat Processing, M1155

Notice of Suspension 

July 26, 2023

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

adequately to these issues may result in our initiating action to withdraw inspection from 

your establishment. 

Appeal and Hearing Rights

You have the right to appeal this matter and can do so by contacting:

Melissa Moore,

Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations 

Office of Field Operations

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

United States Department of Agriculture 

SB, Room 3160 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20250 

Email: Melissa.Moore1@usda.gov

Phone: (202) 450-0330 

Pursuant to 9 CFR 500.5(d), you may also request a hearing regarding this determination. 

Should you request a hearing, FSIS will file a complaint that will include a request for an 

expedited hearing. If you wish to request a hearing regarding this determination, please 

contact:

Scott C. Safian, Director 

Enforcement Operations Staff (EOS)

Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Stop Code 3753, SB - Room 2148 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20250

Telephone: (202) 418-8872

Facsimile: (202) 245-5097

E-mail: AEBCorrespondence@usda.gov

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Phyllis Adams via telephone at (404) 562- 

5900 or via electronic mail at Phyllis.Adams@usda.gov. Additionally, you can contact 

the Atlanta District Office at (404) 562-5900 or by fax at (404) 652-5877.