Mason, James L., interviewed by Daniel Kerr and HIST 337 Class, 2008
- Abstract Or Scope
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Records an interview with James L. Mason, President of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, and an unidentified VPGC employee, conducted by Daniel Kerr and students in the HIST 337 class. Mason gives an overview of the turkey industry in the Shenandoah Valley, starting in the 1950s, and discusses various name changes, acquisitions and significant events in the history of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative (VPGC). Mason addresses topics such as securing financing; various turkey breeds; plant fires at VPGC; product decisions; USDA audits and product recalls; VPGC employee and labor issues, such as demographic changes over time, retention rates and unionization; relationships with growers, competitors; the impact of feed and energy prices on their business.
- Collection Context