Ribbon-Cutting March 18 for River District Chicken Tractor

The Chicken Tractor by Rooster Hill Farms

You are invited to join us at 11 a.m. Monday, March 18, for the debut of the Catawba River District Chicken Tractor – a mobile learning laboratory featuring chickens!

• What: Join CMS Board Chair Mary McCray in the ribbon cutting for the Schoolyard Gardens Chicken Tractor, a mobile learning center featuring egg-laying hens from Rooster Hill Farms.

• Where: Whitewater Middle School, 1520 Belmeade Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28216

• When: Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, March 18; schoolyard garden tours 10-11 a.m. at adjacent Whitewater Academy.

• Contact: Edna Chirico, Echirico@catawbariverdistrict.org or 704-562-8847

Learn about this exciting new program to connect hands-on learning, STEM skills, and local farming to our schools in the Catawba River District. See the Henpen Chicken Tractor in action and meet its developer, Randy Klocke of Rooster Hill Farms. Come early to tour the schoolyard gardens at adjacent Whitewater Academy and meet River District schoolyard gardens coordinator Jeffie Hardin of Rivendell Farms.

Background

The Catawba River District, a regional nonprofit group dedicated to supporting education as a crucial step in nurturing sustainable communities along the Catawba, is partnering with Rooster Hill Farms to provide local schools regular access to the Chicken Tractor mobile chicken coop. The River District is making this Chicken Tractor available for use by our 11 schools in our regional partnership to support education, food awareness, health and wellness, and sustainability. The Chicken Tractor will enhance our schoolyard garden experience.

What is the coop? – The Chicken Tractor, sold by Rooster Hill Farms, is a mobile backyard chicken coop that meets or exceeds city regulations and codes for urban chickens. The coop comes with several Golden Comet laying hens. These brown chickens are known for their compact size, egg production and friendly nature.

How will schools use it? - The chicken tractor will provide many learning opportunities as students observe the hens, learn about and even taste their eggs, and witness the impact of nitrogen-rich chicken manure on the grass under the coop. Schools will host the River District Chicken Tractor on a weekly basis. Staff members will receive training on how to care for the chickens.

About Rooster Hill Farms

Randy and Cynthia Klocke own Rooster Hill Farms in Enochville, in southern Rowan County. Rooster Hill Farms provides all the locally grown eggs to Healthy Home Markets in Charlotte and The Bradford Store in Huntersville. Randy is the designer and builder of the Henpen Chicken Tractor. Rooster Hill Farms is donating a Chicken Tractor to the River District. Http://www.roosterhillfarms.net.

About the Catawba River District

The Catawba River District is a regional, non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development and enhancement of a 16,000-acre area including parts of Mount Holly, Belmont, northwest Charlotte, and the region’s watershed. The River District has been described as a national model for public-private cooperation. Supporters range from universities, schools and businesses to environmental advocates and municipalities. Partners share a commitment to elevating the River District through sustainable education, community development, and health and wellness programs.
http://www.catawbariverdistrict.org.