GEORGETOWN, Del. — Delmarva Chicken Association announced the recipients of its Outstanding Grower awards, honoring 12 farm families in Delmarva’s chicken community with recognition as exemplary farmers raising broiler chickens. Each grower operates an independent, family-owned farm raising chickens in a contract with one of Delmarva’s five chicken companies. There are 1,213 such chicken growers on Delmarva, each one an important part of the $4.4 billion chicken community.
“Chicken growers in 2023 excelled at raising healthy chickens and powering Delmarva’s economy as they did so,” said Holly Porter, DCA’s executive director. “Growers truly delivered for all the families who depend on the chickens they raise. These Outstanding Growers, recognized for their environmental stewardship, cooperation, and achievement, serve as examples for the chicken community and the nation. They are valued in their communities as stewards of the land, and for carrying on a 100-year tradition of raising chickens on Delmarva.”
The following growers were honored.
Ernest Adkins Jr.
Er-Lynn Farms
Parsonsburg, Md. | Mountaire
Newton Bui
Newton Bui Farm
Pocomoke City, Md. | Mountaire
Zeke Collins Sr. and Zeke Collins Jr.
Z & L Farm
Salisbury, Md. | Mountaire
Allen Davis and Olin Davis
Rich Levels Farm
Galena, Md. | Allen Harim
Doug & Gretta Fenninger
Fenninger Farm and R&D Farm
Pittsville, Md. | Perdue
Joe Howard
Homestead Farms Inc.
Clayton, Del. | Coleman
Tina & Gil Johnson
Little Chicks
Centreville, Md. | Mountaire
Hank McCulley
McCulley Farm
Trappe, Md. | Amick
Gary & Terri Mills
Jon-Kai Farm
Cambridge, Md. | Perdue
Lee Van Culin
White Stone Farm
Massey, Md. | Perdue
Terry White
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Parksley, Va. | Tyson
John Zoch
Dixie Line Farm
Seaford, Del. | Amick
The Outstanding Grower awards were presented during the fourth annual Booster BBQ, an event for DCA members and invited guests at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. More than 750 DCA members and others in the chicken community attended the event, which featured barbecued chicken donated by Allen Harim prepared and served by Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company and Harrington Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, ice cream from Vanderwende’s, door prizes, more than 50 vendors, lawn games and kid’s activities.
The growers received silver Revere bowls and were recognized on stage at the Booster BBQ. They also received lane signs that can be displayed at the entrances to their farms acknowledging them as outstanding poultry producers.
–Delmarva Chicken Association
