Success StoryMeeting the educational needs of small egg producers



Meeting the educational needs of small egg producers

Author: Anthony Pescatore

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Poultry

Outcome: Initial Outcome

There has been a trend in Kentucky for many nontraditional clientele to have small egg producing flocks. Most of the small flock producers start by selling to friends and neighbors. However as they increase production they beginning selling at different venues such as roadside stands or farmer markets. The Kentucky Egg Marketing law provides an exemption for small producers from buying an egg license; if they sell directly to the consumer and sell less than 60 dozen per week. This creates tremendous confusion for producers because all they understand is the word exempt. Even though they do not need to purchase an egg license, producers must still meet all of the regulations of the Kentucky egg law. Eggs are a perishable food, the regulations in the law serve to protect the public and prevent a public health issue. Producers must sell only clean edible eggs that are marketed in new cartons labeled with the producer’s information, a sell by or best used by date and they must be maintained at an ambient temperature of 45oF.  A series of publications on the basics of egg production has been created and serves as an egg producer’s production manual. These materials are on line at the www.smallflock.com and AFS website. The information has been distributed through county meeting, personal contact and the KSU Third Thursday program. Specific issues with producers marketing eggs in violation of the Kentucky Egg Marketing law have been addressed through personal contact. In cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, specific public health issues have been addressed through education. These issues include temperature violations at point of sale, and the selling of eggs to schools, restaurants or retailers without an egg license. There is increased interest in egg production, creating a series of publications to address new producers  questions has helped prevent major publichealth issues.






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