It looks like the popularity of the Oakhurst Community Garden’s “Chicks in the City” class has given birth to an even bigger event!

Stephanie Van Parys sends along a press release for the new  “Urban Chickens Symposium”, which will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 on February 6 and held at the Decatur Recreation Center.  You can register for the class here.

The release is worth a read, if only to learn about Allison’s joy of chicken poop.

On the wings of Oakhurst Community Garden Project’s wildly popular “Chicks in the City” classes comes a full morning of urban poultry-keeping. On February 6 the Chicks in the City Symposium offers attendees a full plate of essentials on backyard chickens. Taught by local experts, the six sessions highlight how-tos from coop design to breeds and from chicken illnesses to getting started with backyard poultry.

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DHS teacher Chris Billingsley sends in an announcement from the new Youth Programs Manager at the Oakhurst Community Garden, Myriam Van Dorp, announcing a four-part Farm-to-School workshop for 28 City Schools of Decatur employees.

Here are some of the details from the note…

The overall goal of the workshop series is to empower and inspire CSD employees to incorporate Farm to School concepts into their daily, standards-based instruction, as well as introduce them to community resources.

The workshops will include food, farm and nutrition lesson plans, hands-on cooking and taste testing activities, and in-depth organic gardening practices. The workshop series will provide training and resources for teachers to use while designing experiences that integrate Farm to School into classroom learning.

These experiences will be compiled into a Farm to School resource guide that can inspire others.

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There’s some really interesting urban farming news tucked deep inside IMCA’s recent case study of Decatur entitled, “Healthy Decatur: A Holistic Approach to Sustainability“.  (h/t: 231 Sycamore)

First up, word of a possible community garden close to public housing…

[Active Living Director Dan] Magee has since contemplated starting a community garden near public housing run by the city’s Housing Authority. He is considering possible locations within the neighborhood or at a recreation center, and has made it a priority to identify champions who can build community support, involvement, and a sense of ownership. “That’s the community that needs it most,” he said, noting these residents’ poor access to healthy foods.

Secondly, a recent agreement with the United Methodist Children’s Home to convert two acres of their land into an urban farm…

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According to one farmer, we put our money where our mouth is…unlike some OTHER markets.

See this Atlanta Magazine video…[h/t InDecatur]

I say we challenge Morningside to a farmer’s market spending contest.  Whoever spends more on average per person gets the coveted Saturday slot.

Decatur's Allison Adams - Photo Courtesy of NPR

Allison points to this All Things Considered segment that aired on NPR yesterday featuring Decatur/Atlanta’s Chicks in the City tour.

Great exposure and a great segment!