If you are familiar with the Delmarva Peninsula, encompassing parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, you know there are probably more chickens than people. One of the biggest challenges for the commercial poultry industry, one of the region’s top economic drivers, is attracting new employees. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore with its rural setting, abundant acreage and expertise of agricultural faculty members like Dr. Jennifer Timmons (at left) is addressing the needs of the region, state and nation.
The associate professor of poultry science has taught animal and avian nutrition, and poultry production and management to students at UMES since 2012. She also involves them in hands-on research activities and introduces them to related careers through tours of hatcheries, feed mills, chicken farms and processing facilities. Timmons imparts the financial value poultry brings to the region, helping to create a pipeline of fresh talent to the industry.
Her career exemplifies the land-grant mission of teaching, research and extension. Prior to UMES, Timmons served five years as the poultry specialist with the University of Maryland Extension. There, she supported the state’s poultry industry through programs promoting sustainable practices that minimize environmental impacts and improve biosecurity awareness and education.
At UMES, Timmons holds a dual appointment with UMES Extension and partners with UMCP and University of Delaware faculty to conduct educational workshops for chicken growers on Delmarva. The workshops are held bimonthly and cover topics such as poultry health, generator maintenance, industry regulations and litter management — all of vital importance with the outbreak of avian influenza in the region and nation.
She is also active with Delmarva Chicken Association Inc., serving on committees alongside local chicken growers and industry personnel. Timmons currently serves as the chair of DCA’s newly formed workforce development committee.
Her research interests have included dietary strategies to address environmental issues, ammonia control, litter management and pasture poultry. She is currently investigating nutritional strategies to improve the health and welfare of pasture raised chickens that experience heat stress (pictured below).
Timmons is certified as a poultry welfare auditor with the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization. She and her husband, Tim, own a two-house broiler farm in Delaware.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu.
