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During the past year, the Wapsie Produce plant was completely remodeled and modern equipment was installed to provide one of the most up to date poultry processing operations in this section of the country.

The internal structure of the building was completely remodeled, including all the floors, walls, and ceilings. The new equipment includes an all new stainless steel flow-away trough system which provides the most sanitary method of handling poultry.

Poultry trucks now drive right into the plant where they are unloaded directly onto a conveyor system that runs through various rooms where the birds are killed, defeathered, eviscerated, and frozen in one continuous "production line" operation.

This year too, Wapsie Produce adopted the new brand name "Minowa" for labeling all "A" grade eviscerated poultry products. The label includes the word Minowa- denoting the southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa area from where the poultry originates- and is lettered in Minnesota maroon color with an Iowa gold background.

Wapsie Produce has set a progressive pace in poultry processing during the past 53 years. The local plant was first established June 20, 1906, by H.H. Woldum. In 1928, it was taken over by the Independence Produce Company and was known as the Decorah Produce Co. Last year Carl Nichols, who had managed the Decorah Produce Co. for the past 13 years, purchased the Decorah organization and set up a new corporation now known as the Wapsie Produce and Hatchery.

Nichols was instrumental in promoting and encouraging the raising of turkeys and capons in this area. Through the Wapsie route service, in which several trucks pick up eggs and poultry daily throughout the Minowa area, Wapsie Produce offers many advantages to egg producers and poultry raisers. In addition to picking up poultry products, the trucks also deliver feed and the drivers offer free poultry services.