MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Students at Wessington Springs High School will soon begin learning meat processing skills in a new agricultural lab designed to expand hands-on education opportunities.

The upgraded facility includes commercial-style equipment for cutting, packaging and storing meat as part of the school’s agriculture education program. School officials told the Mitchell Republic that students will help process donated beef through South Dakota’s Beef to School program, with the finished product going to the school’s lunch program.

Educators say the new lab will give students practical experience they can use in future agriculture careers or apply on family farms and ranches.

The project was included in a roughly $2 million renovation of the school’s ag shop, aimed at updating facilities and creating more career-focused learning opportunities for students.

School leaders say the addition reflects continued demand for agricultural education and technical skills in rural South Dakota communities.