By Morgan Watts

Rowan Cooperative Extension

This year, we are bringing back the youth broiler show to the Rowan County Fair. Today, people want to become more aware of where their food comes from; some are even becoming more interested in raising their own food.

The youth boiler project is perfect for youth in the counties that are interested in raising chickens or maybe just interested in being able to exhibit something at the fair. In terms of showing an animal at the fair, the broiler project is one of the easiest things to do to get started.

This project will be open to any youth between the ages of 5-18, as of Jan. 1. They must be either a 4-H member, taking an agriculture education class, or an FFA member.

Participants will receive six broilers during mid- to late July to take home and raise. The broilers will only be a few days old. They will be allowed to bring their best three (shown as a pen of three) to the Rowan County Fair in September to show.

The show will take place with showmanship and then judging of the birds on Sunday, Sept. 17 with check-in of the birds being Friday, Sept. 15 from noon-5 p.m.

Participants will be required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting on July 17 at 6 p.m. to learn about properly raising broilers and biosecurity protocols of poultry. There is a $20 registration fee per child to cover the cost of purchasing the broilers. Youth will also be required to submit a record book of their project.

This project is great to teach youth responsibility, finances, work ethic and sportsmanship.

If you have any questions or are interested in registering, please call Morgan Watts with Rowan County Cooperative Extension at 704-216-8970 or stop by 2727-A Old Concord Road.