View Poster Application

Developing a Mobile Poultry Processing Resource for Small Farmers in North Central N.C.

Extension Education

Kendra Phipps
NC State University
Boone

Abstract

The final USDA inspected slaughter plant accepting poultry in North Carolina ceased operation in Fall 2017, leaving producers with no options if they wished to market poultry products. This increased utilization of North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) poultry processing exemption, which allows individuals to process poultry they have raised to sale while not being under daily inspection. In response to this, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Stokes County Center purchased a mobile poultry processing unit (MPPU) with the purpose of making the equipment available for rent to the public. Promotion of the MPPU included adaptive development of a streamlined reservation system, standard operating procedures, and biannual poultry processing training. Each workshop was 6-7 hours long and consisted of lectures in the morning, including detailed processing instructions and how to become a poultry exempt operator in N.C. The afternoon portion of the training gave participants the opportunity for hands-on practice processing chickens and turkeys. The first processing training was held in May 2021, and while nearly 25 were registered, only four people attended. Biannual training began in 2022, with the spring training being held in Danbury, N.C. and the fall training in Greensboro at N.C. A&T University’s farm. 40 people were trained in 2022. The training format remained this way through 2023, with 48 people being trained in 2023. Of attendees completing evaluations during 2022-2023, 18 increased their knowledge of safe food handling, 40 gained knowledge and skills to increase production for local markets, 43 implemented biosecurity practices on their farm, and 26 increased their knowledge of poultry flock management. The Stokes County MPPU was rented 63 times between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024 and was used to process an estimated 4,000 birds. The combined economic impact of these trainings and the Stokes County MPPU for 2022 and 2023 is estimated to be nearly $95,000.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

Click to view Poster

Authors: Kendra Phipps, Jonas Asbill, Lauren Greene, Mark Paylor, Anthony Hooks
  1. Phipps, K. Extension Agent, Livestock and Field Crops, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28607
  2. Asbill, J. Area Specialized Poultry Agent, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 27203
  3. Greene, L. Area Specialized Poultry Agent, NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28152
  4. Paylor, M. Poultry Unit Manager, NC A&T State University, North Carolina, 27401
  5. Hooks, A. Former Poultry Unit Manager, NC A&T State University, North Carolina, 27401