Homegrown Sioux Falls Hosting
3rd Annual Tour de Coop on June 8th
Sioux Falls, SD – Sioux Falls residents are invited to the 3rd Annual Sioux Falls Tour de Coop, a celebration of backyard chickens, on Sunday, June 8th, starting at 2:00 pm. The tour features five coops and kicks off at 1216 N. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. Over 70 people attended last year’s Tour to learn more about raising chickens in the city.
The event is point-to-point, meaning tour participants will move as a group from stop to stop. Pariticipants will be able to view a variety of coops and receive presentations and resources regarding backyard chicken-raising. Maps will be distributed at the beginning of the Tour. Refreshments and door prizes will be featured at the last stop where participants are invited to stay and mingle with other chicken aficionados.
Katie Barnes, whose coop will be featured on the Tour, says that raising backyard chickens helps her family live more sustainably. “It’s a small green contribution that works well for our family. Chickens not only provide fresh eggs for us but are also an asset to our garden. They add nitrogen to the soil, assist with composting, and they love weeds. We like to know where our food comes from, especially when raising our children. We want to share our chicken coop to show how easy it is and hopefully inspire others to raise chickens as well.”
Chickens are also easy to care for, says Ty Kaiser, another tour host, “With proper planning of the coop, feeder and water, raising chickens can be much easier than raising dogs. Chickens are also very entertaining to watch and interact with. Each of the “ladies” has a personality all their own. In having our own flock we’re able to show our friends, family and neighbors that raising your own food in town can extend beyond the garden.”
The tour is hosted by Homegrown Sioux Falls, a chapter of Dakota Rural Action. It is free and open to the public.
Dakota Rural Action is a grassroots family agriculture and conservation group that organizes South Dakotans to protect family farmers and ranchers, natural resources, and unique way of life. www.dakotarural.org
Sioux Falls Tour de Coop event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/714762848567242/