The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association supports the FFA mission to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The association provides financial support for FFA Poultry Career Development Events.

Through Career and Leadership Development Events, participating FFA members in grades 7 to 12 are challenged to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. CDE and LDE events occur at the local, state and national levels.

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association encourages students interested in the poultry industry with financial support for the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference. During this conference, 4-H'ers from all over the country compete in educational events that help them learn to make and defend decisions, speak publicly, and gain skills in poultry-related subject matter. More than 157 students from 26 states participate every year.

The conference includes five separate events: a poultry and egg judging contest, a chicken and turkey barbecuing contest, an egg preparation demonstration, an avian bowl, and a Poultry Careers Workshop.

Go here for more information about the poultry judging contest.

The USPOULTRY Foundation was established to provide financial support for student recruiting efforts at universities with poultry science departments that award degrees in poultry science. That list currently includes the University of Arkansas, Auburn University, the University of Georgia, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, and Texas A&M.

Last year, $100,000 was shared between them. The funds are allocated to these six institutions once each year to be used for a variety of activities to attract students to enroll in their poultry science departments.

The foundation also provides recruiting funds to institutions without distinct poultry science departments, but with identifiable poultry programs. Application must be made for these grants, up to $7,000 each. They are also awarded once a year based on need and how they are intended to be used. Many of these institutions of higher learning without separate departments offer quality poultry studies, so they are an important part of the foundation's ultimate goal of attracting young people to study for careers in the poultry industry.

An application is available here. Complete the application and forward nine copies to U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, GA 30084-7303. The annual deadline for applying is August 15.

Research is another important part of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation. USPOULTRY has long been committed to the growth and progress of the poultry industry, and research has played a major role in that commitment. Research grants are allocated for all segments of poultry and egg production and processing. Funds from the foundation are also reinvested in the industry for this vital work.

Visit the USPOULTRY Foundation Website

The USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest works to increase student enrollment in poultry science. At the last competition, teams from nine colleges and universities across the nation competed with one another in three categories: production judging, breed selection, and market products judging. The competition allows students the opportunity to demonstrate how well they have mastered the U.S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations governing the grading of eggs and poultry carcasses.

Questions about the competition should be directed to David Boldt.

2024 Poultry Judging Contest

USPOULTRY will be providing updated information regarding the next Poultry Judging Contest in January 2024. Please check back then.