ORONO – Owners of small poultry flocks from all over the state have formed the Maine Alternative Poultry Association, a new alliance to promote the growth of this fledgling industry.

Under the guidance of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, MAPA evolved from a series of educational meetings sponsored by UMCE and held around the state within the last two years.

It became clear during those meetings, according to Michael Opitz, the extension veterinarian who is spearheading the effort, that there was a growing interest in raising poultry on a small scale to fill a niche market – and a need for guiding that growth.

“There is a lot of interest in becoming more efficient and more profitable in the practice of raising a wholesome poultry product for a growing market,” Opitz said.

“Offering such assistance was a natural for the Cooperative Extension,” he added.

Opitz cited two recent developments in the poultry industry that illustrate how this new organization can assist its membership – a recent ban by major airlines on the air shipment of baby chicks from hatcheries to growers, and a statewide crackdown by federal agencies on local slaughterhouses, making it difficult for small growers to process their flocks.

MAPA, Opitz said, can be another voice for Maine growers in those debates.

Recently adopted bylaws define the mission of the organization as primarily to strengthen sustainable poultry production through education, legislation and marketing. They also steer MAPA in the clear direction of encouraging Maine’s young people to become involved in poultry production as a potential commercial venture.

The group held its first organizational meeting recently during the annual Maine Agricultural Trade Show at the Augusta Civic Center.

MAPA also sponsored a panel discussion on federal regulations governing custom slaughtering of poultry during the show.

Panelists included Mahmoud El Begearmi, food safety specialist for Cooperative Extension.

Opitz said MAPA has launched an official membership drive. Membership is limited to growers of fewer than 3,000 laying hens and 100,000 meat birds of any variety.

Production of specialty poultry has grown during the last five years in particular, he said.

Annual dues for the organization are set at $25 for active members and $10 for youth members.

Anyone interested in joining MAPA, or obtaining information on the organization, may contact Opitz or his assistant, Susan MacDonald; UMCE in Orono, 581-2771; or Richard Brzozowski at UMCE in Portland, 780-4205.