By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

With the location – coming soon – of a Mar-Jac Poultry feed mill in Spruce Pine, one thing will be a necessity: more chickens.

Mar-Jac will hold a Poultry Growers Public Meeting June 23 at 6 p.m. at the A.W. Todd Center in Russellville.

Keith Martin, live operations manager, said they are looking to build about 130 chicken houses. The meeting, which is open to any prospective growers across the northwest Alabama region, will disseminate information about the industry and how to get started.

“We like to think of it as a profession,” Martin said, cautioning that people shouldn’t think of it as a part-time job. “It’s not something to be taken lightly and done half-heartedly.”

Chicken growing is a significant investment, from the standpoint of resources as well as time, Martin said. That’s why a number of stakeholders – including bankers, equipment  sources, chicken house constructors and regulatory agencies – will be present at the community meeting to share their expertise and answer questions.

Cattle farmers, Martin said, are often good candidates to also become chicken growers.

Although the meeting might prove to cause “information overload,” Martin said the details and contacts provided will give prospective chicken growers the tools they need to move forward.

For more information about the meeting, call Sharon Harbin at 256-332-0274.