Salisbury, Md. (Monday, June 5, 2017) – As part of its commitments to people first and continuous learning, Perdue Farms has invested more than $1.2 million to open to its new Perdue Learning University, a facility located in the resurging downtown district here to provide continuous learning and development opportunities for its associates.

“Perdue Learning University provides a modern, state-of-the-art environment in which associates from across the company at every level of management can develop their professional and personal skills to help them be successful in their careers,” said Kathryn Danko-Lord, director of talent management and organizational development for Perdue Farms. “And, we’re excited to finally be downtown and part of the city’s revitalization.”

“At Perdue, we know that our continued success will come from engaging all our associates, so a big part of our focus is going to be on training managers, especially those on the front line in our operations — many who advance from hourly positions — be better team leaders. Our continued development programs will support them, and all associates, as they advance in their careers,” she said. 

In welcoming Perdue to the downtown district, Salisbury Mayor Jake Day said, “Over generations, we have watched as this incredible, family owned, Eastern Shore-born business has grown to become an international powerhouse. For the past 97 years, Perdue has proven time and again its commitment to its hometown by remaining headquartered right here. This training center continues that legacy of loyalty, but it represents much more than that. Ten thousand people every year will cycle through this new corporate training center – people from across the country who will bring spending dollars to Downtown Salisbury, and bring their impressions of our beautiful city back home with them. We couldn’t be more excited to have Perdue join us downtown as we continue the renaissance in the heart of our city.”

The 5,000-foot-space designed by Fisher Architecture in Salisbury provides a variety of flexible training and community meeting spaces that can function independently or together. The facility is equipped with integrated smart boards and the latest in audio-visual resources.

A large training room provides seating for up to 100 people. Two additional classroom-style spaces can hold 30 to 40 people, and additional space will be used for small group meetings as well as contain offices for staff members. A small kitchen and storage space are also available.

We’re a third-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services. 

We focus on continuously improving everything we do, constantly learning, and sharing those insights across different production methods. That innovative approach is driving change throughout the company and onto farms. This continuous advancement is leading us toward our vision of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.

The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. We’ve increased our support for the family farm by creating new markets, including specialty crops. Through agricultural services, we give farmers more options for the acre, including conversion to organic production and products and services that increase the sustainability of conventional agriculture. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.