In 2007, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association's Board of Directors and then-president Don Dalton had a vision to build upon the association's existing education programs and created the Poultry & Egg Institute. I was appointed to lead the Institute's educational expansion with a focus on human resources, safety and risk management, utilizing new technology, and supporting food safety, production, and environmental programs developed by Dr. Al Yancy and Paul Bredwell.
In 2008, the Institute introduced its own website, www.poultryegginstitute.com, and began "People Matters," a free, weekly electronic newsletter to keep subscribers up-to-date on current HR, risk management and safety issues. Anyone can subscribe to "People Matters" on the Institute's website.
Three educational and training programs were created and well-received during 2008:
Over 500 copies of a DVD-based driver awareness program on Rollover Accident Prevention were distributed to member companies. Approval has been given to a national trucking company and a national trucking association to use the program for their own driver training.
A Storm Water Pollution Training Program, also DVD-based, provided the history and rationale behind the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting program. Requirements of an acceptable Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan are also detailed.
An Arsenic in Poultry Feed Issue Kit pulled together current research outlining the benefits and supporting the use of roxarsone, an arsenic-based feed ingredient, in poultry feed.
Coming attractions for 2009
This year the Institute continues to expand its educational support for the industry:
A Poultry Industry Safety Issue Kit will be released soon, highlighting the industry's success over the last 25 years in reducing the frequency of workplace injuries and occupational illnesses.
A program is being developed to train supervisors on their role in a successful accident investigation program.
In May, Barbara Davis-Jenkins will take our programs international when she leads a group of primary breeder and freight forwarder personnel in presenting our Air Cargo seminar in Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt.
Also in 2009, the Institute plans to host a series of webcasts throughout the year covering important industry topics.
Your thoughts please
The entire staff of USPOULTRY is committed to supporting the poultry and egg industry through technical services, research and education. Please give us your ideas, opinions and feedback on how we can improve our service to the industry.
