“We grow the big bird:” Production making strong comeback, more support needed Maryland poultry farmers say

HURLOCK, Md.- “We have six chicken houses, and we grow approximately 135,000 at a time four flocks a year. We grow the big bird.”

Mary Lou Brown owns Maple Breeze Farm in Hurlock. She’s just one of the Maryland poultry farmers contributing to the $1.2 billion in production the state sees annually.

Brown said the lower shore’s operation is uniquely strong thanks to its proximity to several metropolitan areas. “We are in a great location to have this production and it takes less than three hours to get to a major city nearby with a product and get it sold,” Brown said.

September marks National Chicken Month.  The Maryland Farm Bureau said it’s an opportunity to highlight the great work of the state’s poultry industry.

MFB Communications Director Jeb Burchick said almost half of Maryland’s market share of agriculture products actually come from poultry and eggs. “It really does a lot for our state, especially the Delmarva Peninsula and all the jobs that it supports. The effort is on us to really keep this industry thriving,” Burchick said.

According to the Maryland Farm Bureau, 12% of Americas poultry production actually comes from the Delmarva Peninsula. Despite that, Brown told 47ABC the industry still faces some challenges.  “Biosecurity is a big deal for the poultry industry. Protecting the farm, and protecting the birds in the houses,” Brown said.

Maple Breeze Farm is family owned and operated. Brown has now passed that love for agriculture down to her children, helping to continue growing their family’s footprint. “I realized that my mom and dad both made these chicken houses not for them but for us. They’re not going to be able to let me inherit a ton of money but I’m going to be able to inherit a job I can work with my sister or other people that I can chose,” Farmer Jacob Brown said.

The Maryland Farm Bureau also tells us the state’s poultry industry supports more than 25,000 jobs. They’re also working with lawmakers to help create more legislation that supports poultry farmers.

Delmarva Chicken Association is bringing back the Delmarva Chicken Festival to celebrate 100 years of the state’s chicken industry. That event will be held Saturday, October 7th.