WHAT IS THE NATIONAL EGG QUALITY SCHOOL?
History
In the 1930's, quality standards were developed to establish a common language for buyers and sellers of eggs. There was a need for both industry and government to uniformly interpret the quality standards. Egg Schools began to develop on a regional basis to meet that need. The schools also offered a variety of information on maintaining egg quality and safety, nutritional benefits of eggs, the latest processing information and information on other topical issues. Over 4,500 students were trained at these schools. As the industry consolidated, the Egg Schools began to consolidate and by the 1990's only two schools remained - the Eastern Shell Egg Quality School and the Midwest Shell Egg Quality School. In 1993, the two schools merged creating the “National Egg Quality School” bringing together a highly experienced faculty with an exceptional knowledge of eggs. From 1993 to 2011, the National Egg Quality School has trained more than 1100 students.
Organizational Structure
The National Egg Quality School is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to providing continuing training in the area of shell egg quality and safety throughout the food production and marketing chain. Its purpose is to provide a curriculum that includes egg formation, abnormalities, interior and exterior egg quality, conserving egg quality, egg benefits to consumers, food safety, and up-to-date information and technologies to individuals with responsibilities or interest in assuring the production and distribution of high quality shell eggs throughout the marketing chain.
The school curriculum is designed for the serious student who wants to learn as much as possible about egg quality in a concentrated, comprehensive 3½ days. An optional Egg Safety Plan Training course is available immediately following the end of the traditional curriculum. A combination of lectures, individualized instruction and “hands on” laboratory experience is utilized to ensure students learn as much as possible during the school. The instruction staff includes leading university and industry scientists, experienced state and federal regulatory officials and seasoned industry organization representatives. Students who successfully complete the exam on the last day of the school are awarded a “Certificate of Proficiency”. All others are awarded a “Certificate of Attendance”. Students are also eligible to obtain continuing education credits from the National Environmental Health Association or the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.
The school is funded through student tuition, donations from allied industries and industry organizations and contributions from supporting state departments of agriculture and universities. More detailed information concerning the school may be found by contacting Deanna Baldwin, Assistant Director at (410) 841-5769 or baldwidl@mda.state.md.us.