Local entrepreneurs seek USDA-certified micro processor in Southampton County; staff to pursue M‑2 conditional-use route

Veronica Prevost, co-owner of Serenity Acres Homestead, told the Southampton County Planning Commission that she and a business partner want to open a USDA‑inspected micro meat processing facility at 34574 Smiths Ferry Road to provide local, for‑hire processing for hunters and farmers. "We just want to offer a service to our community to process their animals," Prevost said, adding the operation would be small — under 1,100 square feet with fewer than five employees — and would not sell meat retail.

The request grew out of frustration that local processors have closed, Prevost said, and a desire to support Hunters for the Hungry and local food‑bank partners. "We currently process for Hunters for the Hungry with deer, and we aren't able to fill their needs because we're currently doing it out of our kitchen," she said. Terry Sarflue, representing the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia’s Western Tidewater branch, urged the commission to expedite consideration, saying the facility would increase access to healthy food for the region.

Staff and commissioners discussed zoning options. Randolph, the planning director and zoning administrator, said Southampton County’s A‑1 agriculture designation does not permit "commercial slaughtering or processing of animals or poultry," and that the current ordinance channels processing uses into the M‑2 (General Industrial) district with a conditional‑use permit. He recommended a targeted M‑2 rezoning for a small portion of the applicant’s parcel so the planning commission could attach conditions — for example, limits on hours, number of animals processed and employees — to reduce the risk of expansion to other industrial uses.

Commissioners raised neighborhood‑compatibility concerns and asked about buffers, odor control and USDA restrictions; Prevost said USDA oversight and facility requirements, including use of a captive bolt (not firearms) and strict sanitation rules, would mitigate noise and smell. She also said deer processing would be part of the business plan and that Hunters for the Hungry donations would remain local.

The commission asked staff to research property zoning maps and to prepare draft rezoning language and advertising. Randolph said, because of holiday and advertising schedules, "the earliest it would probably be would be at your February meeting." The chair expressed consensus to pursue the M‑2/conditional‑use path rather than broadly amending A‑1 language, and closed the public comment period.

Next steps: staff will refine proposed language, confirm parcel zoning history and return the matter for formal public hearing and review, likely in February.