Ever considered backyard chickens?

Foothills Transition is organizing a backyard chicken keeping workshop, which includes coop construction, choosing the breed, hatching eggs and raising chicks, legal issues, feed and supplies, keeping chickens healthy,  and protecting them from predators and pests.

Why Chickens?

In permaculture, chickens are considered almost essential for the combination of services they provide. Chickens are a perfect compliment to a home veggie garden. They reduce pests and turn them into valuable manure while also producing a high quality source of protein in their eggs. As a result of being produced by free range birds eating wholesome food without chemicals, the eggs are much more nutritious and even better

tasting. If you plan on eating your birds, a good way to deal with the roosters, the same applies to the meat.

In addition to all the above mentioned benefits, there are the ones that come from any local food production; reduced food miles, freshness, and supporting local economy.

Transition Hickory becomes Foothills Transition

In keeping with our developing role as a Transition coordinating hub we have changed our name to reflect our efforts to support Transition Initiatives in several communities in the foothills area. Thanks to Laurie and John Elian of Transition Lenoir for the excellent name suggestion.

St Lukes Methodist Midwinter Festival

Foothills Transition participated in the 2nd Annual St. Lukes Methodist Midwinter Festival which as an opportunity to support and celebrate local economy brought together many local artisans and craftspeople from all over the foothills area. Thanks to Christine Levy for the graphic design, Sonja Edwards for the copying, Robyn Cornwell for the networking at the festival, Paul Magnuson, Kirk Elliot, Tommy Spain, and John Elian for setup and take down. Laurie Elian, Christine Levy, Jacqui Riordan, John Elian, Robb Worthington, and Sonja Edwards manned the booth. Many thanks to Lindsay Barrick for allowing us to join St. Lukes’ fine event.