Since our inception, McMurray Hatchery has supported 4-H and FFA members and clubs, as well as a host of other agricultural organizations, across the U.S.A. — from shows highlighting rare breeds to broiler projects, automatic feeder inventions, and even livestock trailers. In fact, we wouldn’t be here today without our local county and state fair poultry contests. That thrill of raising your own birds, showing them at the local fair, and winning that coveted ribbon is how our story began:

“[In 1917,] I made my first exhibit at the Iowa State Fair and entered a pen of Black Minorcas. I went down to the poultry show and rushed to my entries. I found a blue ribbon on the coop of my prized cockerel. Without waiting to look any further, I dashed out to the phone and called my wife, 80 miles away, to tell her I had won first prize. Since then I have won hundreds of prizes at poultry shows, but none of them have brought the thrill that the first one did.”