NCC celebrates International Women’s Day

On March 12, 2021, in Chicken Check In, Industry Notes, by Tom

On International Women’s Day and everyday, NCC celebrates the work of the untiring women leaders who work hard each day to keep food on America’s dinner tables. Women have been integral to agriculture, and our nation’s food supply chain, since the beginning. Their work continues to drive the chicken industry forward. To help celebrate the women of the chicken industry, NCC on Monday posted a blog entry on Chicken Check In.

From farmers, to processing plant workers to veterinarians – and everywhere in between, the chicken industry wouldn’t be nearly as productive as it is today without the commitment of the diligent women in agriculture.

And it’s not just a few women contributing to the health of the industry, more than one third of farmers in the U.S. are women and over half of farms have at least one female decision-maker, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In fact, female-led farms have almost tripled in the U.S. since 1982.

The commercial broiler chicken industry was pioneered by women

Mrs. Wilmer Steele of Sussex County, Delaware, is often credited for laying the groundwork for the commercial broiler industry. In 1923, she raised a flock of 500 chicks intended to be sold for meat. Her little business was so profitable that, by 1926, Mrs. Steele was able to build a broiler house with a capacity of 10,000 birds.

Hear from some of the women inspiring the next generation of chicken farmers

Learn how these women got their start in chicken farming and what they love about the work that they do:

Jenell Eck, sixth generation chicken farmer from Maryland: “I grew up working on the farm alongside my father and brother. I started with little jobs on the farm such as walking the houses, setting up houses and riding in equipment – and I have gained the responsibility to do more tasks on my own. Today I am able to care for the birds on my own and run most pieces of equipment.

“I wish people understood the amount of work that goes into raising each chicken. Behind that bird is a story, a story about a farmer. Every chicken farmer is different and unique, and faces different challenges in their life.”

 

Jenny Rhodes, chicken farmer and agriculture educator:

“My parents taught all of us to work on the farm as well as in our home. Agriculture has always been a very important aspect of my life… I always wanted to own and operate my own farm and the poultry industry gave me that opportunity…I am a proud chicken farmer of 30 years and still counting.”

“I wanted to raise my sons just like I was raised, working together, working hard and learning responsibility. What is not to love about owning your own farm and raising healthy, safe and affordable food? I love that as a single mom I have taught my sons how to farm and today they both own their own chicken farms.”

Jennifer Odom, chicken farmer from Mississippi:

“The farm is my favorite place to be. It is home. Most of the time it is a family affair. I am home to attend my son’s school and sporting events. It enables me to be home to cook family meals and to be available for my family 95% of the time. I believe the farm is the best place to raise a family. It teaches so much responsibility.

“Being raised in South Mississippi, I loved the outdoors and grew up in the country. I always knew I wanted to be a farmer, I just never knew I would be a poultry farmer. When I was 19, I started dating my husband. He was already in the poultry business and so was his whole family. While we were dating, I decided to start helping him on his farm. I loved it. He says all I knew was KFC. I think that was when he decided I was a keeper.”

 



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