March 10, 2023
Chickens 101
The chicks are arriving this week in all of the feed stores, so be sure to tell your friends about our Chickens 101 online class coming up on March 18th. There is no charge for ECAA members and a $15 fee for non-members. To register go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chickens-101-tickets-431891558277.
This Week’s Trivia Question
In addition to the lungs and numerous air sacs, what other part of a chicken’s body is part of its respiratory system?
When the Angel’s Share Goes Bad
A cautionary tale for craft distillers looking forward to success can be found in Lincoln County Tennessee where a local resident is suing Jack Daniels over the plague of whiskey fungus. Baudoinia compniacensis is a mold that feeds off of alcohol vapors and is commonly found in and around distilleries. Learn more about the mold and the controversy at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/us/whiskey-fungus-jack-daniels-tennessee.html.
Cottage Food Safety Classes
CSU has a full schedule of online cottage food safety classes available to sign up. If you are planning to make and sell food products, including eggs and honey, from your farm or homestead you need to take this class to make sure you are in compliance with the Cottage Foods Act. The class costs $50 for a three year certification. To see the full schedule and register go to https://foodsmartcolorado.colostate.edu/food-safety/cottage-retail-foods/.
Making a Big Impact with Microbusinesses
This year the Elbert County Agricultural Alliance has provided educational and marketing opportunities to our members and our community. We’ve created events and educational programs that build up the community in our county and open the door to business partnerships. If you support these efforts we hope you will consider volunteering. ECAA is truly one of those organizations where you get out what you put in. Now is a great time to get involved in the supportive ag family that is ECAA. You can help with upcoming programs, teach a class, join the board, update the website, contribute to the Roundup, or join the the Homestead Fair Committee. Your volunteer time can be short and sweet or an ongoing project. Contact sheila.zuschek@elbertcountyagalliance.org to talk about your interests.
Animal Handling Course
The USDA will host an educational in-person event at the JBS Global Food Innovation Center in Fort Collins on March 28-30, 2023. This event will focus on animal handling and its effects on quality and yield factors, with several live cattle demonstrations. Guest speakers include representatives from USDA, CSU, CME Group, CattleFax, Cattlemen’s Beef Board and producers. Dr. Temple Grandin will provide keynote remarks. Registration is free on a first come first served basis for up to 75 people. To register go to: https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/animal-handling-effect-quality-yield-short-course.
Break It Down
Thank you to Jonathan Whetstine of Richer Lands Manure Hauling and Composting for the fantastic class on how to make safe, sweet smelling compost for our gardens. Thanks also to the Elbert Women’s Group for providing our community with such a great venue.
More Events Coming Up
- Saturday, March 18, 1:00 PM – Chickens 101 (Online Class). Cost is $15 for non-members and free to members. Register on Eventbrite
- Sunday, April 23, 2:00 PM – ECAA Member Meeting, Potluck and Ask a Farmer Panel (location TBD). Register on Eventbrite. (Online Ask a Farmer event begins at 3:00 PM).
- Saturday, June 3 — Meet ECAA at Elizabash on Main Street in Elizabeth. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Friday, June 23-Saturday, June 24 — Meet ECAA at Cowboy Up in Kiowa. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Saturday, July 8 — Meet ECAA at Elbert Day. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Friday, August 4 – Sunday, August 6 — Meet ECAA at the Elbert County Fair. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Saturday, December 2 — Join ECAA in supporting the community by baking and serving free cookies at the Elizabeth Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
If you have announcements or classifieds that should be included in the next Roundup? Send them to news@elbertcountyagalliance.org.
Trivia Answer: The skeleton. Chickens have hollow bones called pneumatic bones that are connected to air sacs. These pneumatic bones are important for flight, crowing, and cooling. They are also the reason why broken bones can lead to respiratory infections.