Jen Sawyer, Rutgers Master Gardener Coordinator for Cape May County

The Agriculture and Natural Resources program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County sold out their workshop on Raising Chickens in Your Backyard almost as soon as it was announced. The workshop, held in early February, was the first workshop in the new 2018 Workshop Series: "Garden & Grow.”

Jenny S. Carleo, County Agent, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, said, “We thought there would be an interest for this topic and the new series, but could not believe just how popular this workshop proved to be with the Cape May County community.” Carleo added, “Almost immediately, we had a wait list as large as the class itself, therefore, a second workshop on Raising Chickens, identical to the first one, will take place in May.”

Presenter, Jen Sawyer, Rutgers Master Gardener Coordinator for Cape May County, showed participants the basic care of laying hens, discussed breed selection, and what the feeding, housing and health requirements are for chickens.

The goal of this new series is to teach locals how to improve or expand their home gardens in new ways. Other topics to be presented include: growing vegetables in small spaces, April 12, organic lawn care, and the principles of organic growing.

For more information about the “Garden and Grow” workshop series, please contact us at 609-465-5115, ext. 3607 or email sawyer@NJAES.Rutgers.edu.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.