Did you know that Stokes County Cooperative Extension has a Mobile Processing Unit (MPU) that can be rented to process poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys, etc.). There are NO inspected processors that can process poultry for other producers in North Carolina, so growers must process their own birds. In order to rent the MPU, producers are required to take a course from N.C. Cooperative Extension on how to use the unit. The next Poultry Processing Workshop will take place at South Stokes High School 1100 S. Stokes High Drive, Walnut Cove on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Classroom topics on backyard bird basics, poultry processing, and regulations will be covered first, followed by lunch and then a hands-on opportunity to process broiler chickens in the afternoon. There will be enough chickens available for everyone to process one bird each if interested.
Guest Speakers will include:
- Jonas Asbill, Area Specialized Poultry Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension
- David Gonzalez, Meat and Poultry Inspector, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Christina Sigmon, Research Technician, Prestage Department of Poultry Science, NC State University
- Mark Paylor, Poultry Specialist, NC A&T State University
Registration cost is $25 per person, lunch and materials are provided.
Pre-registration and payment (cash or check only) are required to reserve your spot. Checks should be made to Stokes County Extension, and mailed to PO Box 460, Danbury, NC 27016. Space is limited and is first-come.
Questions? Contact April Bowman, awbowman@ncsu.edu or 336-593-8179.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Matt Lenhardt, 336-593-8179. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.
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