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Staff Report

Young people in southeastern North Carolina are about to trade screen time for feed time thanks to the return of the 2025 Southeast Turkey Project, a feather-ruffling opportunity for students in 4-H and FFA to dive beak-first into the world of animal husbandry and agriculture. This hands-on project gives youth a chance to raise real live turkeys while learning responsibility, biosecurity, and even a bit about food systems from farm to table.

Starting June 2nd, 2025, registration opens for students ready to take on the challenge of raising three hen poults (young turkeys) provided by the program in mid-August. Participants will raise their birds, keep detailed records in a project book, and strut their stuff in the Market Turkey Show at Lake Waccamaw on November 18th.

“This is a great way for young folks to understand the work that goes into livestock care,” said one extension agent. “It’s not just feeding turkeys—it’s science, commitment, and a whole lot of learning.”

Training will be offered through both Zoom and in-person sessions, so whether you’re raising birds in Bladen or coaching a coop in Columbus, there’s support every step of the way. Youth and their guardians will even have the chance to process their birds after the show, either taking the harvest home or donating it to local food banks. (Yes, you read that right—this is a terminal project, which means all birds must be processed by November 19th.)

For parents worried about the cost, the program is as budget-friendly as it is educational: $25 per participant covers three poults, with small additional fees for extra birds or siblings joining in. Families are capped at five poults per household, so nobody’s backyard turns into a full-blown turkey farm.

Key Dates to Mark on the Coop Calendar:

Interest Meeting Zoom: May 1st
Registration Opens: June 2nd
Deadline to Register: July 15th
Orientation Zoom: July 29th at 6:00 PM
Poult Pick-up: Mid-August (TBA)
Showmanship Training: Scheduled by county
Show Day: November 18th
Processing Day: November 19th

For more info, give your local extension office a ring—whether you’re in Bladen, Brunswick, Cumberland, Columbus, or Robeson County, your local agents are ready to help you soar.

Because nothing says “fall fun” like feathers, food security, and future farmers learning one gobble at a time.