Salisbury, Md. (Thursday, October 31, 2019) – Perdue Farms has donated a tractor and trailer to Somerset County Technical High School to help students in the school’s Medium/Heavy Truck program gain knowledge required for career paths in diesel engine maintenance and repair. The two-year program covers steering, suspension and brake systems, electronic and HVAC systems, as well as diesel engine technology and preventative maintenance inspection.

“This program has been very fortunate to be supported by the community,” said Cole Roach, Medium/Heavy Truck Program instructor at the Technical High School. “We have engine, tractor and trailer, transmission, and other donations from local farmers and major corporations like Sysco and Perdue Farms. The students get to put their hands on real-world applications. The County is now offering students an incredible opportunity to learn and excel in a career that is steadily growing. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of local businesses like Perdue Farms.”

Somerset County Public Schools began offering the Medium/Heavy Truck course in the 2019-2020 school year with the opening of the new Technical High School. There are currently 11 students enrolled in the course with more expected to enroll next year. Students completing the program may choose to further their education after high school by enrolling in a trade school, or they may go directly to work for one of many local businesses that maintain a fleet of trucks for their core business functions, like Perdue Farms.

“Properly maintained and reliable trucks are critical to our business to meet the needs of our customers,” said Jeffrey Mitchell, regional fleet maintenance manager for Perdue Farms. “When I think about the skilled technicians that will be needed to support the trucking industry, this partnership between Perdue and Somerset County Technical High School gives the students the equipment they need to help develop their skills. Hopefully, Perdue will benefit from this training with some of the students coming to work for us and help keep our fleet on the road. We value the opportunity to help them be successful and see this as a mutually beneficial partnership.”

About Somerset County Public Schools
Serving a rural, diverse community rooted in rich traditional values, Somerset County Public Schools empowers all students to become innovative problem solvers and ethical leaders by providing engaging, technology enhanced instruction and balanced extra-curricular programs. Located on the southwestern border of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Somerset County’s ten public schools include one technology & career center, two high schools, an alternative school, an intermediate school, and five elementary schools. The Board of Education is located in Westover, approximately seven miles south of Princess Anne, the county seat. For more information, visit www.somerset.k12.md.us.

About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-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.

The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and the company is the leader in organic 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. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.