UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Small-scale poultry producers and owners of " backyard" flocks can get the latest information and recommendations on avian influenza during a workshop to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 18 in Meeting Room A at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

The workshop is being sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), the Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network, The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

The discussion will be geared to independent pastured-poultry producers; owners of small-scale, hobby and specialty flocks; show-bird enthusiasts; and game-bird breeders.

"This is timely because most of these producers will be acquiring new birds during the spring," says David Filson, Penn State Extension emergency preparedness and response coordinator, who will moderate the panel discussion. "With Asian bird flu spreading to more regions of the world, many small-scale growers need the latest information on how to protect their flocks."

Workshop presentations will cover:

• on-farm biosecurity measures that can be established now;
• measures to reduce the risk of avian flu to pastured birds and other specialty or small-scale flocks;
• methods to minimize the risk of bird flu for producers, their families and others who come in contact with poultry;
• what will happen if the disease is found in Pennsylvania, and how poultry producers will be affected;
• procedures to follow if a farm is in a "hot zone";
• financial considerations and resources for poultry producers whose flocks are euthanized;
• understanding the warning signs of infectious diseases;
• where to go for help and more information.

Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions of the expert panelists, who will include Paul Knepley, state veterinarian, PDA Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services; Bhushan Jayarao, Penn State extension veterinarian and assistant professor of veterinary science; Eva Wallner-Pendleton, Penn State senior research associate and avian diagnostic veterinarian; Chrislyn Wood, USDA-APHIS veterinarian and member of the Pennsylvania avian influenza response team; Brian Moyer of Greenhaven Farm, pastured-poultry producer and member of PASA; and David Smith, pastured-poultry producer and board president of the American Pastured Poultry Producers' Association.

The event is free and open to the public. Participants should bring their own bagged lunch. Those interested in attending should register in advance by calling PASA at 814-349-9856, ext. 2. For more information, contact David Filson at 814-863-6424.

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Chuck Gill Writer/Editor Phone: 814-863-2713 E-mail: cdg5@psu.edu