1. David and Jill Bell from Bell Organic. Danny met David a couple years ago and has learned a lot from David and his wife Jill. Bell Organic is graciously letting us use about 5 acres of their new growing land this year. They are not using the whole 11 acres and offered the space to us. We could not have done this without them. Bell Organic is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) with many members. They grow some amazing tasty vegetables, and also offer some local fruit, honey, egg and meat connections through their CSA. Check out their website for more information. THANK YOU DAVID AND JILL!!
(Side note: The land is in Draper and we would love any visitors and any help too. If you're in the mood to work and be entertained by chickens...let us know.)
2. Shawnee's parents, Lynda and Kevin. Kevin helped build the 'chicken chalet' for our laying hens last year. He also helped create the brooders, loaned out his tools and truck - as well as his brains and services. Also, Kevin and Lynda were foster chicken parents when the chicks really needed to be moved out onto pasture, but we hadn't received our solar charger for the electric fence yet. So, about 150 chickens were temporarily 'vacationing' in their back yard for a week until the charger came in. Thanks to them for making sure the chickens had food, water, shelter, and proper burials (for the ones who sadly died in a rainstorm). Thankfully the charger came in and provides sufficient energy to keep the electric fence going without electricity! Solar energy is amazing. THANKS KEVIN & LYNDA!
3. Neighbor Joel. Joel is our official chicken sitter. He tends when we have to leave town. He also helped Danny build one of the shelters, and he and his wife have been very supportive of our new adventure. He is a fun one to bounce ideas off and always good for a laugh. THANK YOU JOEL!
4. Friend Tyler. Since Tyler lives closer to Draper than we do, he has offered to take a couple shifts a week making sure the chickens have food, filling up their water, and surveying for predators (there is a family of foxes that live in the area but so far they haven't been a problem). Tyler has also helped build shelters and provided impromptu tools when needed. I know Danny especially appreciate the company of working with others. Chickens only provide so much conversation you know. THANKS TYLER!
5. I'm sure I will be adding to this list, but thank you to Saffron who patiently watches us work and has learned to fall asleep on a blanket in the dirt instead of her nice soft crib. We love you Saffron!
One more thing: we are getting excited to visit Polyface Farm in Virginia next month. The whole family (Danny, Shawnee, Saffron) is going. Danny gets to attend a 2 day workshop at Polyface Farms and learn from Joel Salatin himself . Joel is featured on the movie Food, Inc. and is also discussed in the book The Omnivore's Dilemma: the Secrets Behind What You Eat by Michael Pollan. We are so excited for this trip and will post about it when we get back. Stay tuned!
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