Some farmers harvesting a new type of bumper crop
MICHIGAN - Frank and Kay Jones have big plans for their small agricultural operation.At their 10-acre Earth Shine Farm in Shiawassee County, they raised and processed 2,400 organic chickens last year. Most were served in Flint-area restaurants.
The Durand couple hopes to expand their niche business to 15,000 birds this year and perhaps to 40,000 in 2007, which will mean moving somewhere with more room to grow.
If all goes according to plan, their 2.5-person operation -- a part-time employee helped with the processing last summer -- will require dozens of additional workers within a few years, Frank Jones says.
The Joneses are among an increasing number of agricultural entrepreneurs whose successful ideas not only let them diversify their operations but also help diversify the state's economy.
Source: South Bend Tribune
17 April 2006
1 minute read
