Thomson, Forrest, interviewed by Daniel O'Keefe, 2006

Scope and content:

Records an interview with Forrest Thomson of Harrisonburg, Virginia, who has worked in various jobs in the poultry industry. Thomson describes his decision to study poultry science at Virginia Tech; his job at Wampler Foods as the Assistant Breeder Manager; decision to have his own breeder opation, producing eggs for Wampler Foods, Pilgrims Pride and Ag Forte; producing toms for the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative (VPGC); work on the assembly line at Wampler Foods; automation and technology; immigration and labor; a typical day working on the assembly line at a poultry plant; OSHA and regulations, accidents, safety and health concerns; food safety and disease, including avian flu; regulations; and slaughter houses and the humane treatment of animals.

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Open for research

Terms of access:

Public Domain

Parent restrictions:

Access to oral history interviews is governed by a deed of gift signed by the interviewer and narrator(s). Most interviews are open for research without restriction. In instances in which the narrator did not grant permission for full online access to recordings and transcripts, those restrictions are noted in a Conditions Governing Access note for each interview. In some instances, access to audio and transcripts is permissible only within the Special Collections reading room.

Pseudonyms are used when requested by the narrator.

Parent terms of access:
Public Domain

Contents