After a brief
return to Chellberg Farm in early March, through a poultry loan from Scherf
Farms Dairy and Creamery, chickens will return to Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore in June, where they will enrich Dunes Learning Center educational
programs for the summer. Ê
The partnership
between Dunes Learning Center, the Westville High School AgriScience
department and the Westville FFA Chapter will bring 16 Barred Rock and Rhode
Island Red chickens to the chicken coop at Chellberg Farm for the summer.
Westville students
incubated and witnessed the hatching of 8 of the chickens and purchased more
baby chicks this spring.
“Real-world
projects like this go beyond classroom learning,” said Bill Smith, Westville
Ag Instructor.
The chickens will
be used to help teach lessons in food production, sustainability, and
nutrition to Dunes Learning Center campers as well as park visitors.
“While visiting
Dunes Learning Center, students are challenged to think about
interconnections between our food system, the environment, human health, and
the impacts of their choices,” said executive director, Geof Benson. “We’re
thrilled to share this learning opportunity with our campers and the general
public.”
Westville students
will deliver their chickens to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Chellberg
Farm Tuesday, May 31st at 4 p.m. For information about Dunes Learning Center
programs, visit duneslearningcenter.org. Thanks go to Scherf Farms Dairy and
Creamery, the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Westville FFA/Ag Dept., Strombergs
Chicks & Game Birds, Ms. Lee Nevills of LaCrosse, IN, and Jakes Feed and
Garden.