The poultry industry — the business of broilers, eggs and turkeys — has an economic impact of $6.7 billion in Arkansas, and Benton County is the No. 1 poultry-producing county in the state. It is home to Tyson Foods, which grew from a family chicken farm to the world’s largest protein producer, and George’s, one of the nation’s largest poultry and prepared foods producers, both of which were founded in Springdale and still maintain corporate headquarters there.
It is no wonder then that the Poultry Federation’s annual Poultry Festival has found a home in Rogers. Call it chicken country or poultry paradise — either tag applies to northwest Arkansas. The festival, more than any other event or conference, showcases the reciprocal relationship between the federation and its allied membership supporting the poultry industry.
The festival is one of the city’s biggest annual events and has an economic impact of more than $4 million, including more than $2 million in direct spending and more than 650 jobs supported. Last year, more than 4,500 tickets were sold for the two-day event and more than 3,000 attendees stayed the night in local hotels.
More of the same is expected for this year’s festival, which is June 21 and 22 at the Rogers Convention Center.
Allied member J.R. Shaw, executive director of Destination Rogers, said the producers and processors who make up the federation are good customers but have become good friends to the city, as well.
“Having a celebration of the poultry and egg industry in our community brings a spotlight on this very important sector in northwest Arkansas,” he said. “Without the poultry industry, northwest Arkansas would likely be a much different place than it is today. This industry brought — and brings — a wealth of jobs to northwest Arkansas, attracting all sorts of people to relocate here from all over, which has changed the fabric of our communities for the better.”
More than 300 allied members — two of whom serve on the Poultry Federation board of directors — support the organization and industry in numerous ways.
Marvin Childers, president of the Poultry Federation, called them the backbone of his organization.
“Our allied membership never ceases to amaze me when it comes to sponsorships, volunteers, committee members and participation,” he said. “We work hard to provide our members with networking opportunities, and the participation rate is always good. Our allied members support the festival in a big way, especially the scholarship auction. We use 100 percent of the auction proceeds for scholarships in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.”
Hugg & Hall Equipment Co., which is based in Springdale and has been an allied member for close to 20 years, has become a festival mainstay that helps provide power for the festival barbecue competition and works with the scholarship auction.
“The partnership between Hugg & Hall and the Poultry Federation is a longstanding and integral aspect of both entities’ operations,” said Spencer Hale, utility services sales manager. “Hugg & Hall’s involvement with the Poultry Federation and its annual festival underscores the deep-rooted connection between the company and the poultry industry. As an allied member of the Poultry Federation, Hugg & Hall benefits from access to industry insights, networking opportunities and a unified voice in advocacy efforts.”
Hall said the festival provides a platform for all industry stakeholders to “come together, celebrate achievements and showcase innovation.” The partnership helps align the company’s business objectives with the needs and priorities of the industry and enhances its ability to serve clients effectively, he added.
“As Hugg & Hall continues to be an integral part of the poultry industry’s ecosystem, its partnership with the Poultry Federation remains a cornerstone of its business strategy, facilitating collaboration, innovation and growth within the industry,” he said.
Allied member Lindsay Brand Parker, territory sales manager with Novus International, a Missouri-based animal health and nutrition company, got started in the industry thanks in part to the Poultry Federation Allied Industries Scholarship she received as a graduate student completing her master’s degree in animal science at the University of Missouri.
She now sits on the federation’s scholarship committee.
“Shortly after starting my first job in the poultry industry, I was able to join the scholarship committee and further see the impact TPF has on students,” she said. “The Poultry Festival is a wonderful event celebrating the success of the poultry industry from students to retirees and from academia to consumer. The amount of support TPF allied and integrator members provide to students and academia is phenomenal. The festival is a great opportunity to see the impact full circle, where many of the scholarship recipients network with an industry that truly invests in them and their future success.”
Parker said Novus’ involvement with the federation and the festival allows her and other employees to see its investment firsthand.
“It gives us full confidence that this industry is dedicated to improving poultry production and feeding affordable, sustainable protein to our families,” she said.
Parker’s late husband, Dr. Drew Parker, shared her passion for poultry. A Poultry Federation scholarship helped him pursue his degree in poultry science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He went on to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University and a Master of Avian Medicine at the University of Georgia. The federation started a scholarship in his name last year.
“One scholarship can have a significant impact, and the memorial scholarship that honors Drew will provide financial support to a veterinarian student who no doubt will enjoy working in the industry as much as Drew did,” Parker said.
The relationship between the Poultry Federation and its allied membership is a mutually beneficial one. Shaw said aside from the festival’s financial impact, the city benefits simply from the exposure afforded by thousands of visitors from out of town.
“We’ve found the more people get exposed to our great quality of life, it really increases the odds of them moving here one day,” he said. “Rogers and northwest Arkansas will likely continue to need top talent in the poultry industry to relocate here for years to come to power our awesome local businesses.”
Northwest Arkansas is filled with poultry businesses, from producers and processors to service providers, he added.
“Due to the corporate offices of our poultry and egg companies being in Arkansas, our allied companies send their best and brightest here,” Childers said. “We are fortunate to have over 300 allied members who are very active in all of the federation’s work.”
Feature photo: From left, J.R. Shaw, Lindsay Brand Parker and Spencer Hale.
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