Lets get together and make plains for 2012 swaps for WV,VA,MD,PA

If my memory serves me correctly, we had a total of 3 swaps in WV last year. I think we should shoot for the same number this year. Since we seem to get a lot more traffic at Martinsburg TSC, my suggestion would be to keep them there, unless there are better suggestions.

Many of us aren't an NPIP flock and can't go out of state with our sale birds. We need swaps here in WV. Martinsburg seems like a pretty central area for a lot of poultry folks.

It would be great if we could get an annual poultry show going in WV too. If we could and have testing at the grounds, there would be a lot more folks showing.

anyone know if there are any swaps in VA.    I'm a little far from WV

Is there anything in the MD/PA area? We are new to all of this and would like to attend some meets.

I would love to have one in Pa

For anyone in PA, they are easy to do.  Just call your local feed store and make arrangements to use their parking area for the Saturday you choose.  The only issue is testing requirements... so, you'd have to contact your local Ag. Dept. and see what the requirements are and if someone can come out and test for you.

A Show/Swap at the fairgrounds would rock and I would love to help with that.  The big problem with that will be money.  The Jefferson Co. Fair folks will probably rent the building for $400 or so for the day.  I'm not certain of that price.. just a guess.  So, WV would have to organize a poultry club, get a non-profit and begin fundraising.  We fundraise for the MSPFA (Maryland State Poultry Fanciers Association) at the Sharpsburg swap, we did at the Poultry Expo and at the Frederick Show for the following year.  A great contact for organizing one would be "Mountain State Poultry" Facebook page.  They get good traffic and many folks are serious about birds.  That's the route to take if you're serious about an APA show combined with a swap.  

I think the Chickenstocks have grown so much these passed few years and there is great potential for that.  Maybe first, spread Chickenstock around Berkeley, Jefferson and other counties to gain interest and get folks connected. Get an email list! Organizing a group of some sort would be huge... Each person would have their own duties; advertising, promotions with feed companies & other businesses, someone to focus on getting the non profit and other paperwork done, etc.  

I don't know how much time I could donate but, I would definitely help.  I became a certified poultry tester for the state of MD last weekend so if anyone here in MD needs help getting their birds tested to travel to swaps across state lines, pm me.  The Sharpsburg Swap will be held on Sat.  June 16th from 8-2 http://mdpoultryswap.blogspot.com/  We'll have a testing clinic for Marylanders the Sunday prior.