By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
When Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) tribal officials first considered expanding their roster of commercial enterprises into the agricultural market, some worried such an expansion might not share the success other tribal business investments have enjoyed. Six years later, those worries have finally been laid to rest.
A crowd of roughly 300 showed up for the February 6 ribbon cutting and formal opening of Perdido River Meats, a 23,000-square-foot processing plant and retail store. Men, women and children mingled, swapped stories and removed any doubts about public acceptance of the new business, a self-sustaining operation that has its own raw inventory on hand.
“I’m excited it’s here; it’s good for the community and it’s good for the state,” said Escambia County Commission Chair Raymond Wiggins prior to the twin ceremonies. “We now have another source for good, quality meat that’s [U.S. Department of Agriculture] inspected. It’s right here in the community, so we don’t have to worry about it being shipped here from somewhere else.”
Perdido River Farms currently has a herd of cattle that grazes on 2,900 acres of Indian land. The hay grown on that land helps to fatten the cows and get them ready for the processing plant. Adding to the self-sustainment aspect, any surplus hay is harvested and sold to other farmers and the general public.
Initial plans call for processing about 50 cows per week at the new facility, which will employ 15 people. PCI officials said if demand is there, the new plant can handle up to 125 cows per week.
PCI Tribal Council member Keith Martin said after noting the impressive crowd that he was one of those who had harbored doubts when the expansion plan was first devised. But, he said, he is now a believer.
“I’m a little surprised at the turnout; it means a lot to us,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming. I was a little skeptical at first, not sure what we were getting into. Now I’m proud of the way our farm has come full circle.”
Perdido River Farms Director John English admitted that the process was a lengthy one that moved painstakingly slow.
“You can holler at a snail as much as you want, but it’s not going to move any faster,” English explained. “We finally got the snail across the finish line.”
The special guest speaker for the event was Commissioner Rick Pate, head of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry, who marveled at the scope of the agricultural enterprise.
“This is a day of celebration,” the state official said. “It represents a $30 million investment, and this is the largest facility of its kind in Alabama. There are 90 meat processing plants in the state.”
After the speeches, Steve Potts, president of PCI’s Pow Wow Club, led a group of women and children in a dance similar to the one performed during the Grand Entry portion of the Tribe’s Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Potts, who is one of only a relative handful of people licensed to possess eagle feathers, wore a headdress of the restricted plumage during the presentation.
Terrence Breckenridge and Elliott Faircloth of David’s Catfish grilled pound after pound of hamburger meat (provided by the new facility), and attendees stood in line to grab the tasty burgers and pile on various fixings.
Jose Antillon, General Manager of Perdido Farm Meats, promised the locally grown beef processed and sold at the new business (the facility will eventually have the potential to process hogs) will have a different taste than most such fare.
“We will harvest and produce a fresh product,” he said. “When you take a bite, you will taste the passion, you will taste the hard work, you will taste the dedication, and you will taste the quality.”