The guineas are coming!
The Guinea Fowl International Association (GFIA) has dedicated itself to the promotion of guinea fowl as a method of sustainable agriculture in the realm of pest management and as a source of produce. Membership in the GFIA runs the gamut of breeders, fanciers and backyard poultry enthusiasts, spanning four continents, and many will come together in Sussex County next week for the Fourth Annual GFIA Conference in Georgetown. The GFIA conference will run Friday, April 3, through the afternoon of Sunday, April 5, with guest speakers and professionals sharing a multitude of topics concerning the species.
Coastal Point File Photo
Bill Stevenson hangs out with a guinea fowl.
“We chose Delaware this year because of the interest and enthusiasm of those organizing it,” said GFIA President Cindy Gibson. “We’ve received a lot of help from the folks in the area, too.”
Professors at statewide and local universities have helped spearhead this year’s conference, including those from the University of Maryland, University of Delaware and Delaware State University. The event will aim to teach the public about the value of guinea fowl, understanding guinea color genetics, maintaining healthy flocks and educating members on the value-added guinea products.
“As soon as we talked to area professors about possibility of coming to Georgetown,” said Gibson, “they were really excited and had so many ideas. We’ve even had professionals embarking on a new project that examines organic pest control. The results of the study will be coming out in time for this conference, and it really ties together the whole concept of creating a healthier environment.”
The growing number of small-flock poultry owners in lower Delaware also made the conference location an easy decision.
“When it comes to guinea fowl as a form of produce,” said Gibson, “farmers aren’t trying to compete with the big names. They aren’t looking to get the egg to the market in the cheapest and quickest fashion. The GFIA promotes good management practices for our flocks. We’re tailored to the quality of the product, not commercializing it.”
Membership itself has been growing, with more and more inquiries coming in from those who wish to start their own flock or have already begun, noted Gibson.
“There’s even been a push in area restaurants from the chefs,” she said. “It’s a concept that more and more people are picking up on, and we can incorporate guinea fowl with a local and greener community.”
The conference will play host to 12 speakers, including Dr. Richard Barczewski, chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Delaware State University.
“The guinea fowl community is a very specialized group,” he said. “It’s not typical of the commercial poultry we’re used to in the area, and there are many specialized rearing techniques we can share with the small-flock farmer.”
The conference will be held at the University of Delaware Carvel Research and Education Center, located at 16483 County Seat Highway in Georgetown, next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a lunch available all three days. Panels and presentations from professionals and experts will be held throughout each day of the event, with topics touching on small-scale poultry health, small-scale poultry management and small-scale poultry species.
Conference registration costs $35 for GFIA members or $45 for non-members. One-day passes cost $18, and on-site registration is available. For more information, including membership registration, visit www.guineafowlinternational.org online.
