Asian and Beginning Poultry Producers Flock to Outreach Meeting

A native of Laos, Pooh Vongkhamdy, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations, helped translate the information for Asian poultry producers.

These two beginning producers took notes during the meeting to help them understand the programs available to help them in their operation.

Fifty two beginning producers and Asians attended the meeting hosted by LeFlore and Haskell County Conservation Districts.

The LeFlore and Haskell County Conservation Districts hosted an outreach meeting for Asian and Beginning Poultry Producers on July 15th at the Choctaw Community Center near Spiro. Fifty-two (52) participants attended the meeting. Pooh Vongkhamdy, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), was moderator and interpreter for the meeting. The topics were designed to cover the basics for a poultry operation to be in compliance with Oklahoma Department of Agriculture regulations and use environmentally sound best management practices, according to Kenneth Risenhoover, NRCS, District Conservationist.

The topics presented were: Recognizing Common Poultry Diseases and Possible Solutions by Dr. Jim Britton, OK Farms; Animal Mortality and Disposal and USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs by Kenneth Risenhoover, NRCS; Soil and Litter Testing and Interpretations, Brian Freking, OSU Extension Service; Poultry Regulations and Paperwork by Foster Johnson, ODA Inspector; and FSA Loans and Programs by Monte Anderson and Holly Austin, Farm Services Agency.

The meeting focused on helping Asian and beginning poultry producers become acquainted with USDA and ODA programs that affect the every day operations of their farms. Other sponsors for the meeting were Farm Service Agency, OSU Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and OK Farms.