The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-11-02
A COLD STORAGE PLANT

A movement is now we'll under way to
organize a cooperative cold storage plant
in this county and we understand progress
sive farmers and business men are giving
it their wholehearted support and that
REA officials have tentatively approved
the great project.
The plan is one that has been worked out
by a branch of the Rural Identification
Administration, and provides that if 200 or
more members join together for the pur-
pose of erecting cold storage plant, to be
used by them and others, the REA branch
will lend the money to this organization to
construct the plant and will cooperate
with the organization in the operation OF
this establishment.
The ultimate value of cold storage
plant to Ashe, Allegheny and Watauga
counties is unlimited. By providing ade-
uuate storage, it would enable our farmers
to produce all kinds of fresh vegetables,
store them away and sell them during the
season when these vegetables bring the
highest dollar. The same thing applies to
meats. Animals could be slaughtered at the
plant and kept there until the owner wish
es to sell. In other words, our farmers, like
Florida or California farmers and fruit
growers, could sell fresh products the year
round And of course this means that by
having them to sell 'out of season., they
could receive nice profit for these pro-
ducts
In the second place, we need to create
more sources Of income among our farm
ers With a cold storage plant, the raising
of seed Irish potatoes could become a most
profitable business. A large percentage Of
the seed potatoes bought in North Carolina
are raised in the New England states and
shipped down here. Specialists at State
College tell us, after years Of experiment
ting in Ashe, that this county and section
are ideally adapted to raising seed po-
tatoes. Without a cold storage plant, the
big problem today is keeping those pota-
toes".
These are only few benefits that would
be derived from having cold storage
plant and marketing center. There are
many others. Eggs, chickens and turkeys
could be stored away when the market is
low and held until prices increased.
This venture does not require any great
outlay of cash on the part of any farmer
and will pay for itself through system of
rental fees over period of years.
The farmers in many other sections of
the country are organized and consequent
ly command a profit for their products.
The apple growers in Florida and around
the Great Lakes, the potato growers of the
New England states, the wheat growers Of
the midwest are all organized and work
together to provide storage and to secure
profitable markets for their products.
The farmers of Ashe, Allegheny and Wa
tauga counties can do the same thing Ap-
pies can be raised commercially in this
county and we congratulate Major Fetch
er for his interest in proving this fact.
A cold storage cooperative will be more
than just refrigeration unit. It's greatest
value is that of providing marketing CEN
ter.
Ashe is one of the largest counties in
area in North Carolina. It has $4,000 peo-
pie, has railroad and is easily accessible
now by good roads for trucking and raised
here is a large variety of vegetables, fruits,
poultry, eggs and meats. Ashe is centrally