SOUTHINGTON - Even with the economy in a downward spiral, James Allen figures demand for food isn't going to decrease much.
''There's always a market for chicken,'' the Southington resident said.
He's building three 61-by-600 foot barns on his Helsey Fusselman Road property and plans to raise broiler chickens for Case Farms of Winesburg.
A part-time farmer and full-time meat cutter, Allen said he became interested in the poultry industry after learning Case Farms was looking for producers. After an extensive background check, he was approved as a grower for the company.
''After all, they're investing as much in this as I am,'' he said. ''They want to be sure you're taking care of their chickens.''
Chickens will not be confined to cages in the barns, which will be climate-controlled and feature automated feeders. He declined to state the cost of the barns.
When the barns are operational he hopes by the end of the month the first of the chickens will start to arrive, Allen said. Each of the 36,000-square-foot barns will be able to support 40,000 chickens.
Case Farms has facilities in Winesburg and three different facilities in North Carolina. The company sells fresh, frozen and breaded chicken breasts, thighs and drumsticks under its own brand in grocery stores and also supplies chicken to private-label retailers. Roasters, wings and other products are supplied to food service, and still more chicken is set aside by the company for export, according to the Web site.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. broiler industry was worth $43 billion in 2007, and included 36.1 billion pounds of chicken. Of that, 16 percent, or 5.8 billion pounds, were exported to other countries.
Allen said his farm is subject to regulation from the USDA, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.
He will operate the farm with Denise, his wife of eight years, and will be observed by their 5-year-old daughter. His parents and grandparents also have roots in farming, with his grandparents operating what he described as a ''hobby farm'' in Southington.
