MacFarlane Pheasant, Inc. attendees to NAGA Convention, February 2023:
Bill MacFarlane, Owner
Sarah Pope, Vice President of Operations
Chris Theisen, Vice President of Production
Bill and Sarah each hold positions on the NAGA board. Bill is on the Board of Directors, and Sarah is the Second Vice President.
NAGA stands for North American Gamebird Association. The ancestry of NAGA started over 100 years ago. The current name was chosen in 1932, changed to North American Game Breeders and Shooting Preserve Association in 1962, and then returned to the name the Association uses today in 1980, NAGA!
What is the purpose of NAGA?
The preamble to the NAGA Code of Ethics clearly explains the obligation of members:
“As a Member of the North American Gamebird Association (NAGA) and a supporter of the North American Gamebird Foundation (NAGF), I fully recognize my obligations to ensure a continuation of sound and healthy populations of renewable gamebird resources, to maintain appropriate wildlife habitat, to undertake responsible and professional gamebird breeding, and to ensure safe and secure hunting preserve operations for the benefit of humans, dogs and game birds, and pledge.”
NAGA explains on their website the importance of membership for gamebird businesses:
“Your membership in the North American Gamebird Association helps preserve your rights as a hunting preserve operator or gamebird producer. NAGA maintains a strong voice in government so that you don't have to do it alone. Stay abreast of the latest research and current events affecting our industry through our bi-monthly publication, NAGA News. Build your business through our member networking services and find new customers and prospects at our annual convention and educational conference.”
2023 Convention
Each year NAGA has a convention. This year's convention was February 6-8 in New Orleans. Our attendees attended informative sessions and enjoyed the 60's weather. The Astor Crowne Plaza (the Convention Center) was located on the corner of Bourbon and Canal Streets. These streets are considered New Orleans hot spots for fun and local culture. Meals included New Orleans classics like jambalaya, shrimp creole, banana fosters, bread pudding, and so much more.
Chris Theisen sat on a panel at this year's convention to discuss transporting mature gamebirds. Sarah Pope was on a panel discussion about pricing your birds in a high- inflation market.
All session topics allowed for a wide range of shared knowledge, including: Shipping Requirements, the H2A Visa Program for Agriculture, How to Disagree Agreeably, Chick Shipping Struggles, Pen Designs, and Understanding the Transmission of the Avian Flu. I have to mention one more special event at this year's convention, Certified Master Chef Alfonso A Contrisciani had a pheasant cooking demonstration on the first day of the convention. Watch for our next blog article discussing Chef's skills! Each year convention topics cover the most essential information in the game bird business and fun is always included for good measure!
We hope we have convinced you to check out the NAGA website, join the association, and attend the 2024 convention at theHoliday Inn Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida, January 22-24, 2024. Registration opens July 1, 2023 at NorthAmericanGamebird.com.