07 May Grant Helps Launch Hands-On Chicken Program for Marquette Youth
Last year, the Marquette Community Food Project received a grant to launch a new agricultural learning program for local youth. Community member Jennifer Krehbiel developed the idea to create a hands-on learning experience centered on raising chickens.
The $4,200 grant funded the purchase of a mobile chicken coop and 24 incubated eggs. The mobile coop allows the chickens to be moved regularly, giving them fresh space to feed and helping maintain a healthy environment.
Krehbiel’s goal is to teach children how animals are raised and how food makes its way from farms to their family’s table.
“To get kids out of the house and teach them how to do things themselves is incredibly impactful,” Krehbiel said. “Locally, there is limited opportunity for young people to learn about gardening and small-scale poultry production.”
The number of chickens needed for the program made a mobile coop the best solution.
“When I started planning these classes, I knew I’d need more than two or three hens,” Krehbiel said. “The goal is to keep about 20 chickens in the program at all times, and the coop can hold up to 40.”
The program did take some time to get started, as the hens matured just in time for winter. With warmer weather arriving and the flock now fully grown, the program is ready to begin its first session, giving an introduction of the chickens to the Marquette Childcare Center.
“I think the kids are going to be really excited to learn and to get a change to interact with these animals.” Krehbiel said.