Energizing Grant To Expand Wickham Park Cooperative Coop

By  //  February 7, 2015

helps youth learn real-world skills

Brevard County Extension Service-180
The UF/Brevard County Extension Service 4-H has received an Energizing Florida Grant and, as a result, will soon be expanding its Wickham Park Cooperative Coop to include four more stalls thanks to the grant from the Florida 4H Clover Society program of the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Program. (UF IFAS Brevard County Extension Service image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The UF/Brevard County Extension Service 4-H has received an Energizing Florida Grant and, as a result, will soon be expanding its Wickham Park Cooperative Coop to include four more stalls thanks to the grant from the Florida 4H Clover Society program of the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Program.

BREVARD-180Youth who participate in 4-H are able to use the cooperative coop to raise poultry.

Youth are often unable to house poultry at their homes and the cooperative coop allows them to participate in the project.

The coop originally started as part of the Brevard County Fair Market Poultry Project, but is now expanding to include rare heritage breeds of poultry.

These purebred animals will be shown by local 4-H’ers at the next County Fair.

Located in the Wickham Park Equestrian center, the coop is a cooperative project between UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County and Brevard Parks and Recreation.

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Last year, 50 birds were housed in the coop, with more promised this year.

Spearheaded by 4-H volunteer and leader, Erika Maier, the expansion of the coop is an excellent way to get more youth, ages 5-18, involved in learning about the real-world skills associated with animal husbandry, fiscal management, and marketing.

For additional information, contact Vanessa Spero-Swingle, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, via email at Vspero@ufl.edu or at 321-633-1702 ext. 231.