ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s inaugural “First Flock” has retired to the Fortson 4-H Heart nearly three years after they got here to roost on the Georgia Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta, Ga., in 2021.
Six members of the unique flock traded locations with 15 new hens throughout a ceremonial swap not too long ago on the First Flock’s customized coop on the japanese aspect of the 18-acre mansion grounds.
The concept for the mission was hatched in 2020 when Georgia First Girl Marty Kemp expressed her want to incorporate agricultural schooling by way of residential hens on the mansion. A joint initiative between Georgia 4-H and Georgia FFA resulted within the building of state-of-the-art lodging for the chosen chickens.
Free-range retirement
Fortson 4-H Heart, situated in Hampton, Ga., is certainly one of six 4-H amenities throughout the state and is house to the long-established Fortson Farm. Goats, sheep, pigs, and different chickens already name the farm house, and the retiring First Flock hens will reside a lifetime of luxurious in a free-range setting beneath the care of 4-H heart workers.
Fortson 4-H Heart Director Mary Melson and Environmental Training Coordinator Jordan Parker corralled the six hens right into a well-appointed crate for his or her 40-mile journey to the 4-H Heart.
“These ladies will make an ideal addition to our farm and 1000’s of scholars will proceed studying from them,” Melson stated.
The 15 new hens that now reside on the Governor’s Mansion arrived courtesy of a partnership between Centurion Poultry, the College of Georgia Division of Poultry Science and the Georgia Poultry Federation. Centurion Poultry house owners Gijs and Louis Schimmel personally delivered the chickens, which had been raised on their Oglethorpe County property.
The First Flock has change into a treasured a part of Georgia’s first household and is a customer favourite throughout mansion excursions. Placards are displayed on-site to boost the tutorial expertise, with details about breed choice, care, and Georgia’s poultry trade.
The coop was designed as a part of a 2020 competitors that invited county 4-H and FFA golf equipment all through Georgia to submit plans for the coop on the Governor’s Mansion. Utilizing data of poultry and agriculture, groups of scholars drafted proposals that included a website, idea, measurements, and landscaping to suit the designated house on the Governor’s Mansion.
A group of 4-H’ers and FFA members from Warren County in the end gained the competitors, prevailing over 5 different groups from throughout the state. The plan consisted of nesting containers, roosting areas, a fenced enclosure with ample house, watering and feeding stations, and a mud tub.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared his dedication to agriculture in Georgia and organizations like 4-H and FFA on the unique First Flock dedication in 2021.
“The most recent members of the First Flock will proceed this legacy as they educate and delight guests in years to come back,” stated Bo Ryles, senior director of the Nationwide 4-H Council and liaison to the First Flock. The retiring members of the inaugural flock will proceed their instructional mission and “make one of the best higher” as a part of summer time camp and environmental schooling programming at Fortson 4-H Heart.
Environmental schooling
Along with the farm, Fortson 4-H Heart’s 77-acre property boasts a climbing wall, zip line, amphitheater, mountain climbing trails, ponds and a herpetology lab. 1000’s of youths go to the power annually for 4-H environmental teaching programs and 4-H summer time camp.
Environmental schooling programming takes place from September to Could and serves college audiences, providing single-day and residential subject research utilizing the outside as a classroom. The research-based curriculum correlates to the Georgia Requirements of Excellence, offering hands-on studying within the context of the actual world. Summer time camp at Fortson 4-H Heart takes place for seven weeks in June and July and county teams from across the state take pleasure in per week crammed with out of doors actions, group constructing, journey, friendship, and enjoyable.
Georgia 4-H empowers youth to change into true leaders by growing needed life abilities, optimistic relationships, and group consciousness. Because the premier youth management group within the state, 4-H reaches tons of of 1000’s of individuals yearly by way of College of Georgia Cooperative Extension workplaces and 4-H amenities.
