WAYS TO HELP?
(select the "Individual" or "Business" tab)

You don’t have to be a farmer, or own land, to conserve heritage breeds. Help us spread the word about heritage breeds, whether that’s following us on social media, sharing brochures or presenting about heritage breed conservation. Learn about the importance of biodiversity and the impact on the global food system. Advocate for heritage breeds in your community. If you wish, you may donate to "The Livestock Conservancy" or donate to help our farm raise rare breeds from going to extinction for ever.

This is a great opportunity for volunteers to get involved and help spread "The Livestock Conservancy’s" message, and support our farm. We will post specific volunteer opportunities on this page – so check back often! If you have any ideas for how you can volunteer, please contact us and let us know!

To donate, follow these steps: 1. Go to the Top Menu 2. Put the cursor over "SAY HELLO." 3. Fill out the form with some information such as name, email (required field), phone, and your message/question. 4. Click on the green "Submit" button. We are working on an option to "donate" electronically.

Strict biosecurity measures is critical to protecting the health of the chicken flock and preventing the spread of diseases. This includes protocols for limiting visitor access to the farm, maintaining clean housing and feeding areas, and potentially implementing measures to control contact with wild birds and other potential carriers of disease.

This involves establishing a clear collection schedule and efficient routes for picking up food scraps from each participating school, hospital, and restaurant. If a business agrees to signup, transportation protocols will need to be implemented to ensure food safety and prevent any spillage or odor issues during transit. Upon arrival at the farm, the food scraps are stored properly in designated containers, in a cool environment, to maintain freshness and deter pests. Before being fed to the chickens, the scraps undergo a processing stage, which includes sorting to remove any non-food items or potentially harmful substances (e.g. plastic wraps on cucumbers etc.). Depending on the size and type of scraps, chopping or grinding them into smaller pieces is necessary to facilitate consumption. The feeding schedule and the appropriate amount of food scraps to provide to the chickens is carefully determined based on their nutritional needs and the overall dietary plan.

Yes, we do! As of this writing, two restaurants have signed up for food scrap collection. However, we proactively contact potential partners (schools, hospitals, restaurants) to assess their interest in participating, estimate waste volumes and types, and develop efficient collection logistics.

The culinary landscape is witnessing a significant shift towards consumers prioritizing the origin and production methods of their food. There is a discernible increase in demand for food that is not only locally sourced but also produced through sustainable practices. This trend is fueled by a growing awareness of environmental issues and a desire to support local economies. A substantial amount of food intended for human consumption ends up as waste, with estimates suggesting that roughly one-third of the total global food supply is lost or wasted annually. In the United States, this equates to approximately 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions each year, excluding landfill emissions. When food waste decomposes in landfills under anaerobic conditions, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. This environmental impact underscores the urgency for innovative solutions that divert food waste from landfills. Our poultry farm utilizes food scraps as feed presents a compelling opportunity to address both the demand for sustainable food and the challenge of food waste management. We are looking in establishing more partnerships with local restaurants by integrating food waste recycling directly into our poultry farming operations. This circular approach, where waste from local restaurants becomes a valuable input for the farm, sets it apart from conventional poultry farms. Our farm's specialization in pasture-raised eggs and meat further enhances its appeal to environmentally and ethically conscious consumers. Pasture-raised products are often perceived as having superior nutritional profiles and are produced in systems that allow for higher levels of animal welfare. By forging strong relationships with local restaurants for food scrap collection, Ferentinos Farm will also foster a sense of community engagement and local connection, reinforcing its position as a truly local and sustainable food provider.