Events

Hands-On Education for Small Poultry Producers N.C. Cooperative Extension's Watauga County Center will hold a Poultry Processing Workshop on October 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 252 Poplar Grove Road in Boone. The training is particularly relevant to small farms, homesteaders, and poultry producers interested in processing birds on a smaller scale. Registration is required through Watauga County Extension. The October 3 Poultry Processing Workshop also serves an important practical purpose: Watauga Extension requires first-time users of its Mobile Poultry Processing Unit to complete Extension-organized processing training before renting the equipment. The county specifically lists the October 3 workshop as its next qualifying training session. Access to Mobile Processing Equipment Watauga County's Mobile Poultry Processing Unit gives trained producers access to equipment that can otherwise represent a significant expense for a small operation. The unit includes kill cones and a stand, a poultry scalder, a mechanical plucker, stainless steel work tables, a food-grade water hose, and other processing equipment. Extension provides the unit for short-term rental after required training is completed. The rental program is not limited to Watauga County residents. Extension notes, however, that other mobile processing units are available in North Carolina and producers may be directed toward equipment located closer to their farms. Current rental fees for the Watauga unit are $50 for rentals of up to three days. Training Matters for Food Safety and Farm Planning Processing poultry involves more than learning how to use equipment. Farmers must also understand safe handling, sanitation, and the regulations that may apply to poultry processed for sale. N.C. Cooperative Extension resources emphasize food safety, animal welfare, and proper handling during poultry processing and advise producers with regulatory questions to consult the appropriate state agencies and Extension specialists. For farms considering small-scale meat poultry production, access to shared equipment and training may reduce processing-related infrastructure barriers. Watauga Extension has not posted a detailed session-by-session agenda for the October 3 Poultry Processing Workshop, so participants who need specific regulatory or certification information should contact the county Extension office before attending. Advance registration is required.   Read our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!