County Fair, Easter Warning, Big Manatee and North Port News

Sarasota County Fair

Still a couple of days left at the Sarasota County Fair (ends Sunday March 24th). Check out the prize winning chickens, and the baby chicks. Special thanks to Tom Dye who produced some CLUCK flyers that are available and the Kleinschmidt Chicken Tractors are on display.

EASTER WARNING

Easter is approaching and while CLUCK cannot independently confirm the statistics cited in the photo below, it is worth emphasizing that acquiring a pet is not a decision that should be taken lightly or impulsively. This year the stakes are higher because last year the Governor signed into law a change that will allow people to sell dyed chicks.

While weird, the colorful chicks are hard to resist, but don't take the bait. For one thing, these are "straight run" chicks --meaning roughly half will turn out to be roosters (and with average luck it will turn out to be more than half). 

Any pet is a big commitment and should not be undertaken without deliberation and preparation. To find out if you are ready to be a chicken owner, try CLUCK's Are you Ready for Chickens Quiz.

Big News Out of Manatee County

According to the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee County Commission will take up backyard chickens this coming Tuesday March 26th at 10:00 am. This is not a done deal, and local chicken supporters should show up (wearing yellow if possible) but it is encouraging that the Bradenton Herald editorial board has endorsed the idea. Best of luck to our neighbor CLUCK. 

Big News Out of North Port

And in North Port the news is that at  9:00 am on Thursday April 4th, the ordinance drafted by staff will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board. For more on this story, click on the highlighted text: Spotlight shifts to North Port. 

Local Chicken News

• Still time to Volunteer at the Sarasota County Fair Friday March 15 through Sunday March 24th. Some volunteer slots may already be filled, so contact Janie at 941-907-0011 to see what is still available.

• TAMPA BAY TIMES Hernando County okays chickens in residential neighborhoods

• Manatee County Commission will be considering chickens on March 19th at 9:00 am. 

CLUCK Volunteers Needed for the County Fair

For the third year, CLUCK volunteers (that may include you) will be helping out at the Small Animal Tent at the 2013 Sarasota County Fair, which includes feature chickens and also includes rabbits and cavies (AKA Guinea Pigs). The Fair runs March 15th through the 24th, so there are lots of opportunities to participate.

Why would you want to do this? There are at least four reasons. First this a great opportunity for education -- both your own and the education of fairgoers. For volunteers, it is a great chance to see different breeds and gain insight into their temperament and the size and color of their eggs. In addition, your participation assisting the organizers helps both educate fairgoers regarding 4H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) and manage the excitement that is generated by cotton candy-fueled kids, curious teens, crowing roosters, and baby chicks. It's also an opportunity to promote CLUCK at our CLUCK OUTREACH TABLE. Finally, volunteers serving at least a two hour shift will be given free fair entry on the day of their service. What I like to do is help out for a two hour shift, then enjoy the fair, and come back later to see if they need any help.

It's easy to sign up. Just contact Janie Besselman at jbesselm@scgov.net.

Some volunteer slots may already be filled, so contact Janie

at 941-232-8420 to see what is still available.

 

This is just another way local CLUCK can promote successful, responsible chicken ownership in Sarasota County. 

Glenda "Janie" Besselman

Administrative Specialist

Sarasota Soil & Water Conservation District

University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Services

Sarasota County Community Services

USDA-NRCS Manasota Service Center

6942 Professional Parkway, East

Sarasota, FL 34240

941.907.0011 (office)

941.907.0015 (fax)

jbesselm@scgov.net

http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/

Help 4-H, Help Kids, Help Chicks, Help CLUCK

CLUCK has received a request from Janie Besselman who will be helping Robert Kluson with the Small Animal Tent  during the Sarasota County Fair.  Last year CLUCK helped staff the tent and it was a great experience for all--excited kids, curious teens, beautiful chickens and baby chicks. (And, if it was like last year, volunteering gets you in the Fair for free.) What I like to do is help out for a couple of two hour shifts and then enjoy the fair.

Sarasota County Fair Dates    March 16^th thru March 25^th  

                        

Fridays – 2 to 11 pm*

                                                                                                                       M-Thur    2 to 10 pm*

                                                                                                                        Saturday 12 to 11 pm*

                                                                                                                        Sunday    12 to 10 pm*

*Note these are the times that the Fair is open to the public. 

Some volunteer slots may already be filled, so contact Janie

at 941-232-8420 or Robert at 941-232-3090 to see what is still available.   

This is just another way local CLUCK can promote successful, responsible chicken ownership in Sarasota County. 

Glenda "Janie" Besselman

Administrative Specialist

Sarasota Soil & Water Conservation District

University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Services

Sarasota County Community Services

USDA-NRCS Manasota Service Center

6942 Professional Parkway, East

Sarasota, FL 34240

941.907.0011 (office)

941.907.0015 (fax)

jbesselm@scgov.net

http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/

CLUCK Looking for Volunteers for Sarasota County Fair

Volunteers are needed to help staff the small animal exhibit tent at the Sarasota County Fair (March 18-27) This will be great opportunity to spend time with both chickens and the kids whose chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs will be on exhibit. 

What has CLUCK been up to since that unanimous vote on January 18th??

Has Sarasota CLUCK been kicking back and relaxing since the initial unanimous vote in favor of backyard chickens on January 18th? No way! Here are a dozen noteworthy accomplishments that have been logged since then: