Noble Foods has agreed to support the Young Women in Poultry Production group. Formed just last year, this dynamic group is already making significant strides in empowering women within the sector, and Noble Foods is excited to see how it continues to grow by providing support and industry expertise to the group, according to a company news release. 

The Young Women in Poultry Production group began when 10 women in the industry came together for a one-off networking event, hosted by Hipra. Among them was Becca Goodings, assistant farm manager at Noble Foods, who recognised the potential of this gathering to evolve into something more substantial. Together with Hannah Cargill, contract production manager at Avara Foods, the group has since expanded to around 50 members, with ambitions to grow even further.

“Our sector can be challenging, and even daunting, for younger people to connect with. Especially for young women, as poultry farming is still a male dominated space," said Becca Goodings.

“The mission of the Young Women in Poultry Production group to empower women and provide valuable networking and upskilling opportunities," she added. "Having the backing of Noble Foods is fantastic and the company wholeheartedly endorses our mission. By hosting workshops and encouraging knowledge-sharing, we’re helping to build a stronger, more connected industry."

Goodings has worked at Noble Foods for approximately 16 years, with a brief stint in retail where she discovered her love for sales. However, her passion for poultry farming brought her back to the industry. 

"My earliest memories involve helping with chicks and pullets on our family farm. Both of my parents are in the industry, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from them throughout my life," she said. 

Goodings’s journey at Noble Foods has been marked by continuous learning and growth, particularly in the past few years. One of her personal goals for the Young Women in Poultry Production group is to reach women who may feel isolated or unaware of the vast opportunities within the poultry industry. 

“These women might leave the industry due to a perceived lack of career progression or learning opportunities, which is simply not the case," she said. "By building connections through the YWPP, we can help them attend industry events, meet key figures like reps, vets, and CEOs, and create connections that can support their career progression."

The group has already participated in technical workshops on key topics like salmonella and have organised visits to key industry sites, such as the Hemicell manufacturing plant with Elanco. These experiences not only enhance the technical knowledge of members but also strengthen their professional networks—networks that usually take years to establish.

Noble foods is directly supporting the group with new tech infrastructure, such as a new domain and emails, and providing networking and learning opportunities.