What’s for dinner? This never-ending question often has a simple answer for many Americans: chicken. Since 2010, poultry has reigned as the most consumed meat in the U.S., surpassing beef and pork by wide margins.
Each year, Americans consume over 100 pounds of chicken per person, and Pilgrim’s Moorefield plays a vital role in ensuring that poultry goes from farms to millions of tables nightly. National Poultry Day (March 19) serves as a reminder of the important work done at Pilgrim’s Moorefield, both nationally and locally. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year’s successes.
As the largest employer in the county, Pilgrim’s Moorefield proudly supports more than 1,000 team members and partners with 100 locally contracted growers. Our team members and growers, spread across the Potomac Highlands, are the foundation of West Virginia’s agricultural landscape. Their dedication ensures a strong future for the state’s poultry industry.
Our team members have made tremendous accomplishments throughout the year, working hard to ensure continued safety practices while producing the best quality poultry products possible. It is through their continued dedication that Pilgrim’s Moorefield finds its success as they are the backbone of the operation.
Over the past year, Pilgrim’s Moorefield has welcomed several leaders to the facility, offering them a firsthand look at operations and the facility’s impact on Hardy County. The team was honored to host Governor Patrick Morrisey, along with representatives from the Mineral, Pendleton, and Hampshire county commissions.
Additionally, Pilgrim’s gave presentations to various community organizations, providing important information about the poultry industry. These eVorts will continue throughout 2025. Pilgrim’s Moorefield also hosted its first onsite poultry workshop, designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers as poultry growers. With many long-time growers retiring, and others approaching retirement, now is an excellent time to consider a career in poultry. The next workshop is currently being planned, and those interested in becoming a Pilgrim’s contractor are encouraged to attend.
Soon, the Water Street apartment complex will be completed, oVering team members a convenient housing option near their workplace. The facility features more than 160 units for team members and their families, helping promote a better work-life balance.
To further support the community, the complex will include onsite childcare and a multi-cultural convenience store, reinforcing Pilgrim’s commitment to meeting the needs of its workforce. Forty-three percent of poultry grown in West Virginia comes from Hardy County, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact.
Pilgrim’s takes pride in being a key contributor to this success and the benefits it brings to the community. It’s also important to recognize West Virginia lawmakers for championing agricultural rights in Charleston, which supports jobs, strengthens the state’s economy and ensures that farmers and businesses can succeed. Looking forward into 2025, Pilgrim’s Moorefield remains steadfast in its dedication to producing the best poultry products, supporting the community, strengthening the workforce, and prioritizing the health and safety of the animals in our care.
Allen Collins is the complex manager of Pilgrim’s Moorefield, which is the largest employer in Hardy County. The Moorefield facility processes 2 million birds each week, helping feed millions of people throughout the American northeast.
