Chicken Community Honors Flock Supervisors at Ocean City Conference

Ten flock supervisors from Delmarva’s chicken companies received Outstanding Flock Supervisor awards at Delmarva Chicken Association’s 61st National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production. As flock supervisors, these chicken company representatives work face-to-face with Delmarva’s 1,225 independent chicken growers as liaisons between the farmer and the chicken company. Flock supervisors are among the more than 16,790 people employed by Delmarva’s chicken processing companies, and make important contributions to the Delmarva chicken community’s $4.6 billion economic impact.

The flock supervisors honored were:

• Devin Burke of Allen Harim Foods, a two-time award winner
• Blair Boyce of Amick Farms, a three-time award winner
• William Cross of Perdue Farms
• Corey Goff of Mountaire Farms
• Dan Malone of Perdue Farms, a four-time award winner
• James Merritt of Perdue Farms
• Austin Murphy of Tyson Foods
• Brandon Parsons of Mountaire Farms
• Matthew Richter of Coleman
• Joel Tyler of Amick Farms

Delmarva Chicken Association Board President Rusty Covington, at podium, announced the Outstanding Flock Supervisor award winners at the 61st National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production in Ocean City, Md. on Sept. 16, 2026. Seated, left to right: Corey Goff, Brandon Parsons, Joel Tyler, Blair Boyce, and Devin Burke. Standing, left to right: Austin Murphy, Matthew Richter, James Merritt, Daniel Malone, and William Cross. | Delmarva Chicken Association photo

“Your job is not easy, but it can be very rewarding when you see a grower’s settlement improve based on your work with that grower,” said DCA President Rusty Covington. “Each of you are vital, and we thank you.”

“An outstanding flock supervisor understands the needs of the contract growers he or she works with, and offers assurance to a chicken company that standards and practices are being followed,” said Holly Porter, DCA’s executive director. “These award recipients work hard day in and day out to meet those goals and advance the chicken community.”

The National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production, held at Ocean City’s Roland E. Powell Convention Center, is a well-renowned scientific conference for the U.S. poultry industry featuring two full days of speakers and panel discussions. More than 450 attendees took part in this year’s conference. In 2027, the National Meeting will return to the convention center from Sept. 27-29.