“As a toddler, my grandmother had a small farm with chickens and numerous different animals, which undoubtedly sparked an curiosity in self sustainability,” says Katie Jaun, who runs the poultry-focussed Juan Passion Farm in Saint Bernard, Louisiana. “I might get so excited to gather the eggs for breakfast and feed the chickens our scraps.”
After being uncovered to a life stuffed with animals at an early age, Juan graduated to volunteering at native shelters. Later, she discovered a vocation in veterinary medication, then based Juan Passion Farm.
“I’ve at all times been an animal lover. And for so long as I can bear in mind I’ve been surrounded by, and cared for, quite a lot of completely different animals,” says Juan.
We spoke to Juan about dwelling with poultry and farming by way of hurricanes. We additionally put the highlight on a rooster named Versace.
Overcoming Hurricanes
“The largest problem now we have overcome with yard farming must be the drive of Mom Nature,” says Juan. “Dwelling in southern Louisiana, now we have been by way of two main hurricanes, which introduced with them fairly gnarly winds and heavy rains.”
In 2020, Hurricane Zeta handed by way of. The storm “crumpled the rooster run together with her heavy winds and knocked down a big portion of our fence, which was lower than very best as a result of we had simply added our pig, Joel, to the farm.”
Zeta was adopted by Hurricane Ida the identical 12 months. Juan, fortunately, was in a position to efficiently evacuate the farm’s resident birds and keep away from shedding any animals.
“We needed to do some fairly intensive clear up across the enclosures. And we needed to repair downed fences, wires, roofing and normal damages across the property,” Juan says. “We’re nonetheless within the strategy of fixing the damages to our home.”
Learn extra: Winter storms convey fallen tree branches. Plan now for spring cleanup.
Chickens Carry Solace
Every rooster on Juan Passion Farm is thought by title. “There are moments when it will get nerve-racking and even heartbreaking having so many cattle to take care of. However it’s simply as rewarding,” says Juan.
“I’ve undoubtedly stood in the midst of our yard surrounded by 40-plus poultry and a potbellied pig considering to myself, ‘How did it come to this!’ or ‘What have I finished?!’”
Balancing out the moments of stress, Juan says the farm has additionally reworked into “my place of solace on a nasty day, companionship on a lonely day and laughs on days once I might barely muster up the braveness to smile. I might not have it every other approach.”
When Versace Met Forrest
Versace is considered one of two roosters on Juan Passion Farm. “He’s so lovely with a few of his feathers like velvet. And he likes to name consideration to himself,” says Juan. “He is a superb protector of the flock, however nonetheless will get chased across the yard by our male duck named Forrest. He has by no means been aggressive towards any individual. It will be a travesty to not have him round.”
Learn extra: Including a great rooster is usually a nice determination!
Rising into Gardening
Past the poultry at Juan Passion Farm, Juan says that gardening is changing into an rising focus.
“In backyard Zone 9a, now we have quite a lot of choices 12 months spherical. So I began with hardy herbs, cucumbers and peppers that I knew would take off. However this fall I attempted my hand at some cruciferous veggies that I had by no means grown like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower together with kale and lettuce.”
Juan provides that the lettuce and kale is earmarked to feed the farm’s rabbits and poultry. “Our Pekin duck named Clementine is obsessive about recent kale out of the backyard.”
Cooking with Cauliflower
Final 12 months, Juan Passion Farm efficiently grew cauliflower, regardless that Juan had doubts about how bountiful the crop could be. Relating to using the cruciferous globes, Juan recommends roasting them at 400 levels for round 40 minutes lined with soy sauce and seasonings.
“We then minimize it into vertical parts, nearly like cuts of steak,” says Juan.
Day by day Items because the Backyard Grows
“In addition to the large quantity of eggs the women reward us with every day, essentially the most rewarding half about working this farm is the love that my spouse, Rebecca, and I share by retaining everybody glad and wholesome,” says Juan, reflecting on the thrill of the farm. “Simply having the ability to sit again and watch the animals and backyard proceed to develop and be glad is value all of the work and errors we’ve discovered alongside the best way.”
Observe Juan Passion Farm on Instagram.
