
<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 1(A)

Gold Kist Inc.
244 Perimeter Center Parkway, N.E. (30346-2397)  P.O. Box 2210. Atlanta, GA 
30301-2210  (770) 393-5000

                                August 15, 1997




Agvestments, Inc.
244 Perimeter Center Parkway, N.E.
P.O. Box 2210
Atlanta, Georgia 30301

SUBJECT:  Written Notice of Designated Securities
          ---------------------------------------

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Section 1 of a certain Amended Agreement made and entered into on 
the 7th day of March, 1997, between Gold Kist Inc. and Agvestments, Inc. 
("Agreement"), as amended, this letter is to serve as written designated classes
of securities which Agvestments, Inc. is hereby authorized to offer in 
accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Upon Gold Kist's receipt of an 
effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended 
and subject to the terms thereof and the terms of the Agreement, Agvestments, 
Inc. is authorized to offer to the public the Securities described in the 
attached and incorporated Exhibit A (said securities hereafter referred to as 
"Designated Securities").

Upon notification of the effective date of the Registration Statement 
registering the Designated Securities, Gold Kist will notify Agvestments of its 
authority to proceed under this written designation.


                                   Sincerely,



                                   By: /s/ Peter J. Gibbons
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                        Vice President, Finance


PJG:sr
Attachment 
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                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                                          Dated: August 15, 1997



Below are listed the class of securities noted as Designated Securities on the 
attached Written Notice of Designated Securities.


                                Subordinated Capital Certificates of Interest
                                          15 year maturity, (series D)
                                          10 year maturity, (series D)
                                          7 year maturity, (series A)
                                          5 year maturity, (series C)
                                          3 year maturity, (series A)
                                          2 year maturity, (series A)

                                Subordinated Loan Certificates
                                          1 year maturity , (Series C)

                                Subordinated Large Denomination Loan Certificate
                                          1 year maturity, (Series A)
                                          6 month maturity, (series A)


all as described in the Offering Prospectus.

