Thanks for joining us for crafts, plants, seeds, chickens and good times! Here are some handouts from the event. Our chicken flyer is backyard_chickens, it includes contact information for Joan the chicken Queen of Petaluma who was at our event and can get small numbers of chicks in a variety of breeds. We also have a planting_seed_starting guide.

Date: Sunday, March 22, 2009
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Sustainability Center 141 Bolinas Rd. Fairfax
Donations of $5-$10 suggested

The event will include-

• Recycled craft projects-
Milk jug bunny baskets, bird feeders and Plant rubbings

• Face Painting by local entertainer Marti Cate
  • The debut of our Victory Garden Demonstration
  • Seed Swap- you bring yours and swap with ours and others
  • Seed starting from the Sustainable Fairfax Seed Library with planting
  medium and pots available.
  • Plant starts for sale.
  • A demo of natural egg dying
  • Raising backyard chickens with local poultry expert, Joan Zeleny, and her baby chicks exhibit. And a demonstration of a basic chicken health check.
  • Information on the Sustainable Garden Network
  
  Kids have fun when parents get involved and have fun themselves.
  Sustainable Fairfax hosts this family friendly event for parents and children!
  
  All Ages are Welcome! Come for the chicks…stay for the fun!!

Joan Zelany started with chickens 30 yrs ago-successfully showed BLUE and BLUE FRIZZLE STANDARD COCHINS and raised BLUE ANDALUSIANS and BLUE POLISH. Joan took her love and interest in breeding and rearing animals in an equine direction for 25+yrs raising MORGANS that have successfully competed at the national level and with extra unused barn on the property she leased,she was overcome by the need to have chickens again.

She could not find any local breeders that had supplied me with birds 30 yrs ago AND realized there was a need for someone to supply chickens of all ages and all breeds for breeding stock for hobbyists interested in rare and heritage breeds,small backyard flocks and egg businesses that did not want to go out there own chicks.
Joan has tried to maintain a stock of over a dozen breeds at any one time from the mediterrean breeds,continental, American focusing on the rare and heritage breeds, listed with ALBC and SPPA and those breeds listed with SLOW FOOD.

Joan orders from many of the well know hatcheries,some boutique hatcheries,consignment birds from show stock and occassionally have eggs hatched from imported or very rare breeds not sold by any commercial hatchery.
This is Joan's second year in poultry in masse and the learning curve continues-better management in health and housing the birds,taking requests,finding the most vigorous birds from each hatchery,finding sources of feed and vitamins to promote health and vigor,learning more about each breed and the landrace concept....
sourcing coop builders,specialty breeders to help enlarge the gene pool,passing on tips to help each chicken owner keep their flock safe and productive.