Meet a Farmer: Joya Parsons, Chicken Farmer

By Rebecca Gerendasy

March 07, 2010 Exposed to her parents interest in horticulture as a young child, Joya Parsons grew to embrace her green thumb. “By the time I reached my early twenties, I was bitten by the horticulture bug.” Her interest in growing things was played out on the land her parents went on to buy in the 90′s.

Joya Parsons and Toffee, a Ameraucana pullet; photo courtesy Joya Parsons

But wait, it wasn’t just vegetation. Parsons brought chickens to the farm – broilers for meat and several heritage breeds for their eggs. In Angela Tunner’s article, she goes on to talk about a typical day, some misunderstandings about free-range chickens, and the future of chicken farming…

“The other future for chicken farming is decentralization. It is many smaller farmers raising birds in a socially and ecologically sound manner, in the sunshine and on a natural diet, and with enough room to move. It is healthy birds, healthy farms and healthy communities. But it is going to take a lot of community support to get chicken farming back there. Currently, the industrial model has the upper hand and continues to expand while small, independent chicken farmers suffer from a lack of infrastructure, like rural slaughterhouses and shipping to larger markets. The only way the second vision is going to become a reality is if the consumer demands it and supports it with their buying power.”

Remember to support your local (chicken) farmer!

Thanks to @kubileya and @angelatunner

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