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DPI honors17 for their contributions at banquet

5.01.2007

By STEPHANIE JORDAN
Staff Writer

SALISBURY, Md. — More than 800 poultry growers and industry officials turned out for the 51st annual Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. booster banquet held on April 19.
During a meal featuring three different chicken recipes, Del. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner spoke about the importance of the industry to Delaware, as well as to the rest of the Delmarva Peninsula.
“If we took time to celebrate all you do, we’d be celebrating every night of the year,” she said.
Following a speech by DPI President Roger Marino, 17 awards were presented to those who have done an outstanding job in or for the poultry industry.
Dale Boyce of Laurel, Del., received the J. Frank Gordy Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Award. The award is DPI’s highest honor.
Boyce was the chairman of the DPI Grower Committee for seven years, and also served on the DPI Board of Directors.
Gov. Minner and Conrad Pope, a University of Delaware poultry science professor, were honored with DPI’s Medal of Achievement awards. Minner received the award because of her public service to the poultry industry as an elected official.
Her contributions were listed by DPI Vice President Wayne Evans, and as she made her way to the stage to accept the award, she wiped away a tear.
“I’ll treasure this,” Minner told the audience of poultry growers and officials.
Pope was honored for his commitment to the industry and the University of Delaware; he has performed extensive diagnostic work on chickens, developed and taught poultry courses and has conducted various studies.
Fourteen poultry producers were honored as outstanding poultry producers this year.
Growers are chosen for the award based on the poultry companies’ list of criteria, which include flock performance, farm appearance, attitude, cooperation and their willingness to upgrade facilities and equipment, as well as implement environmental and biosecurity measures. The chosen producers also must be DPI members.
This year’s recipients were: Earl and Karla Beardsley, Nanticoke, Md.; Wendy Bingham, Delmar, Del.; Brian, Rose and Brian William Dickerson, Pocomoke City, Md.; David Hoffman and Dorothy Jones, Pocomoke City, Md.; Lockerman Farm Inc., Bridgeville, Del.; Doris and Edwin Meredith, Federalsburg, Md.; Tom Nguyen, Bishopville, Md.; Fred O’Neal and Sons, Seaford, Del.; Parker Farms Inc., Frankford, Del.; Rantz Purcell, Princess Anne, Md.; Gregory Showell Farm, Frankford, Del.; Terry’s Farm and Peter’s Farm, Pocomoke City, Md.; Bill and Billy Thompson, Berlin, Md.; and Janice and Bill Vickers, Millsboro, Del.