A Trusted Partner in Poultry Management for Nearly 70 Year
Paragon Poultry: A Trusted Partner in Poultry Management for Nearly 70 Years
The Chamber Blog, Thriving Thursday Series

By Astin Melhorn, President, Paragon Poultry Management Group

A feature piece from our Summer 2026 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication.

For nearly 70 years, Melhorn Sales, Service & Trucking Company has built its reputation on dependable service, strong customer partnerships, and a commitment to supporting the poultry industry with excellence. Today, through the development of Paragon Poultry Management Group, that legacy continues to grow.

Paragon Poultry serves as a centralized management group, bringing together industry-leading poultry services to create a seamless and efficient process from chick placement to the end of the birds lay cycle. By aligning specialized entities under one coordinated structure, Paragon Poultry provides customers with a single, reliable point of contact for comprehensive poultry service solutions.

Founded in 1957, Melhorn Sales, Service & Trucking Company remains family-owned and operated, with headquarters in Pennsylvania and coming soon in Van Wert, Ohio operating in 28 states nationwide. The company specializes in poultry transportation, flock management, vaccination services, and bird handling, and is continuing to expand its presence into the Midwest.

“Our growth has always been driven by the trust our customers place in us,” said Astin Melhorn, President and Owner of Melhorn Sales, Service & Trucking Company. “We’ve continued to follow opportunities to serve the industry where needed, and we are incredibly grateful for the relationships that have allowed us to grow over the years.”

Through the acquisition of MainJoy Unlimited, the expansion of JWM Poultry Solutions, and the development of Great Plains Poultry Service, Paragon Poultry Management Group was established to provide customers with a more streamlined and dependable service experience across multiple areas of poultry production.

Under the Paragon Poultry umbrella:

  • JWM Poultry Solutions oversees the full production lifecycle, offering pullet growing, pullet services, layer services, and vaccination programs.
  • MainJoy Unlimited and Great Plains Poultry Service specialize in vaccination and bird handling services, with experienced crews committed to maintaining high standards in biosecurity and animal welfare.
  • Melhorn Sales, Service & Trucking Company provides safe and efficient transportation for pullets and fowl, supported by experienced drivers and rigorous cleaning and biosecurity protocols.

Together, these entities work in coordination to help poultry producers operate efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of service, biosecurity, and welfare.

With Paragon Poultry leading the process, customers can count on a trusted partner dedicated to supporting the poultry industry today and into the future.

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