Testimonials
“Absolutely 5 stars 🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥!!!
"I would recommend the NC Center for Poultry Education to anyone wanting to learn more about poultry production. I love taking my classes there to allow them to see, hear, and experience what poultry production in North Carolina is all about. Steven Brake and his team are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to talk about chickens. If you are a teacher and want students to get a closer look at agriculture then this a must on your tour list.”
Dr. William T. Farmer
Assistant Professor of Animal Science
University of Mount Olive
“Visiting the NC Center for Poultry Education has always been significant for my BAET332 students.
"BAET332 Management of Animal Environments" is a fundamental course in our Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology program, covering various aspects such as food, animal production, housing, environmental control, air quality, animal waste management, and wood structure fundamentals. The NC Center for Poultry Education visits provide students with practical insights beyond classroom learning. They witness animal-friendly housing systems with welfare-enhancing features on the farm. Mr. Brake, an exceptional instructor, offers systematic knowledge of animal agriculture, poultry production systems, and animal welfare, inspiring students to pursue careers in animal agriculture. I highly recommend the NC Center for Poultry Education for its valuable educational experiences.”
Dr. Lingjuan Wang Li,
The Instructor of BAET332
William Neal Reynolds, Distinguished Professor
Department Head
Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering
North Carolina State University
“The Poultry Education Center is an asset to our agriculture industry as evidenced by the outstanding poultry tours given by Steven and Crystal.
"They have been instrumental in providing real life agricultural education experiences for my high school animal science students to see first hand how the poultry industry, specifically a broiler operation works and be able to speak to the farmers themselves. Agriculture education is critical for our non-farming population of adults but especially for our youth to have the opportunity to see how the farming of their food is carried out in a humane, sustainable way. The topics of discussion in the presentation before the tour fits in perfectly with the current NC Animal Science One and Two curriculum objectives. I have taken my high school classes to tour as well as summer day camp students (grades 5-8) to tour. Steven and Crystal are easy to work with and will do their best to accommodate a group of any size or age. I highly recommend that anyone, but specifically agriculture programs take advantage of this wonderful resource located right here in NC and plan a trip to tour.”
Emily Hardy
Greene Central High Animal Science Instructor
FFA Advisor
“The passion for sharing knowledge about the poultry industry was evident the minute we stepped into the 31,800 head chicken house.
"The facilities were never mentioned as a “barn” it’s a house, simply because they provide everything vital for the chicks to be raised comfortably. Houses provide bedding, warmth, ventilation, enrichment toys, and they also allow for the flock to become a community.
This facility is unique because it is one of the only educational facilities in North Carolina. The Center for Poultry Education is a Perdue Farms grower that focuses on helping the next generation understand precisely where their food comes from—as well as being a new 501c3 non-profit organization.”
Maddy Friend
National Junior Swine Association Board Member
“An increasing number of individuals are raised and reside in urban settings, distancing themselves from agriculture and lacking awareness of food production processes. The NC Center for Poultry Education is a premier destination where individuals of all ages can discover the intricacies of poultry farms and chicken rearing before products reach the market.
This center presents a wonderful opportunity for students to witness firsthand the care involved in poultry farming and understand farmers' deep connection with their work and animals.
The center has significantly contributed to poultry education, particularly for veterinary students at NC State University. Through visits, students gain insight into biosecurity, disease prevention, vaccination protocols, and various aspects of poultry management. Most importantly, they witness farmers' genuine care for their animals, dispelling misconceptions about poultry production. These immersive experiences surpass traditional classroom lectures, fostering a deeper appreciation for commercial poultry production and the dedicated farmers behind it.
A recent addition to the center is a spacious new classroom capable of hosting over 40 guests simultaneously. If you have not yet had the chance to visit, we encourage you to reach out and schedule a tour to explore this enriching educational opportunity.”
Dr. Ricio Crespo, DVM, MS, DVSc, Dip. ACPV
Professor, Poultry Health Management
Population Health and Pathobiology
NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine
“Mr. Steven Brake has been a source of inspiration for numerous students at Edgecombe Early College.
He has given several keynote speeches to our Junior Internship scholars, and our school has made multiple visits to the NC Center for Poultry Education to explore their Agriculture Education programs. Mr. Brake's dedication to education, outreach, community, and service is fueled by his vision, passion, intellect, and integrity. The influence he has had on our students and school is immeasurable.”
Matt Smith
Principal
Edgecombe Early College High School
“The NC Center for Poultry Education offers a remarkable journey from beginning to end, providing an insightful look into the origins of our food.
Through interactive learning and complete transparency, it delves into the genuine science behind poultry and agriculture, catering to audiences both within and outside the farming community.
Such initiatives are crucial in a world where consumers crave authentic information directly from the source. The prevalence of misinformation underscores the importance of unveiling the truth and openly sharing the everyday realities of farmers and farm workers.
Agriculture forms the cornerstone of our existence, as without farmers, there would be no food. Visiting the NC Center for Poultry Education was an eye-opening experience that I enthusiastically shared with my peers and beyond. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit here and urge fellow farmers and agricultural producers to embrace such opportunities in response to the increasing demand for trust in global food security.”
Michelle Miller “The Farm Babe”
Keynote speaker, author, online influencer
Host of the “herd it here” PUNcast
www.thefarmbabe.com
www.facebook.com/iowafarmbabe
@thefarmbabe
“The NC Center for Poultry Education serves as a valuable resource for educators to introduce their students to a unique laboratory experience.
As educators, we strive to simulate a 'real-world' environment by providing students with mock-ups of real-world scenarios. The NC Center for Poultry Education stands as a laboratory embedded in the real world. Farmer Steven Brake offers more practical guidance at the Center than a teacher could provide in a classroom setting. Mr. Brake imparts knowledge not only from his research and studies but also from his daily experiences. He presents a real-world illustration of the importance of staying updated on new research and trends and the significance of continuous learning and progress, demonstrating how these aspects are integrated into daily farm operations. Students witness food production from a grower's perspective, emphasizing the critical role of animal welfare, bio-security for flock health, and the responsibility of caring for livestock. This firsthand experience helps students understand how their academic subjects translate into practical life skills. Mr. Brake collaborates with teachers to align his discussions about the farm with their curriculum, enhancing the relevance of the Center's teachings to students' learning. While the Center has primarily catered to agricultural-related classes such as veterinary school, FFA, and other agricultural classes, it can also benefit science classes like Biology and Math, where algebra is applied daily, as well as groups like Scouts and 4-H. The Center offers something beneficial for everyone involved.”
Vickie Pollard
Middle School teacher (retired)
“I am writing to express my support and appreciation of the NC Center for Poultry Education.
The opportunities for hands-on, boots to the ground learning about poultry production is a rarity within our region, due to biosecurity purposes. Mr. Brake has gone above and beyond to not only run as a typical poultry production farm by producing excellent meat products, but also being an advocate, educator, and voice for the farming community.
This non-profit facility provides impactful education to students, 4-H members, FFA programs, and the public sector. This facility is the epitome of "ask a farmer" and I couldn't be more thankful for Mr. Brake, Purdue and all other entities involved to bridge the gap between agriculture and the public.”
Jennifer L. Coltrain
NC Cooperative Extension, Nash and Edgecombe County
Livestock Area Agent
North Carolina State University