I agree with you. I wasn't advocating his business. I find it curious that anyone would, so I check in on him every once in a while. I only posted about it because Ron and Barbara were looking for Australorps. There are 2 local breeders on his list raising them.
Jim is an APA judge. He started a business, charging large amounts of money, annually, to "certify" your flock. He was using the APA name. Here is what is on the APA website, about it:
"
Flock Certification Program
The American Poultry Association (APA) has received several inquiries in recent months concerning a flock certification program. It seems that there are individuals offering flock certification services, via the internet, and are mentioning the APA in their advertising. It should be known that the APA does not endorse any individuals advertising flock certification programs nor do we oversee or offer a flock certification program at this time.
The APA is looking into the feasibility of such a program and , if we go forward with it, we will certainly inform the public through our website and the various poultry publications. However, until that happens, please enter into any flock certification agreements at your own risk.
Dave Anderson
APA Director
Now Jim is training "coaches" to certify flocks. These coaches aren't even judges or haven't been breeding standard bred poultry for long, from what I can see.
I met Jim in person, in 2013. He seemed so nice, I thought maybe I was wrong about him. I talked to him and told him that I liked his promotion of standard bred poultry but he was charging too much. He said that he needed to cover his travel expenses. He also said he'd like to see my flock, if he was ever in the area.
I contacted him, last month and told him that I had made some progress with my Delawares. I invited him to come see them and my Dorkings, but I said that I couldn't pay him for it. He invited me to his workshop, which I declined. He asked where I lived and said he would really like to see my birds.
So, I was surprised that he was in Dixon and Woodland, a couple weeks ago, and didn't mention it. I grocery shop in Woodland, it's 30 miles from my ranch. I'm back to thinking it's all about making money for him and less about standard bred poultry. JMO
