The Chicks Are Here!

Episcopoultry Ministry

The leaves are falling up here at Camp Mitchell. Jenny and I have been hard at work settling into our new home, making preparations for the Camp Mitchell Agricultural project, and getting a few seeds to germinate before the frosts come. 

We have great news! As our Uncle Timo of Ghana would say, we have started our ministry. Our congregation is 27 in number and very young— two days old! We picked our baby chicks up from the post office. They were jet lagged and cranky, but once we got them moved into their new home they were snuggling up to the heat lamp and sippin’ on some garlic/honey infused water. They are all hens of different varieties; We think right now we’ve got some golden penciled hamburgs, Egyptian fayoumis,  Rhode Island reds, six polish chicks, and a few other varieties we aren't sure about yet. They are all certainly cute though!

In two months they will be big and fluffy enough to keep themselves warm. Until then we’ve got to get to work on what Jenny is calling Coop Mitchell. We are turning an ancient, wasp-filled, shed into the chicken coop. So far we've pulled out the rotten floor and replaced the rotten roof. Next up we have got to build a roost, laying boxes, and improve the ventilation. God willing, by March of next year, they will be cozy, fat, and full of eggs. 

Despite the coming cold, we are really feeling invigorated by the arrival of new life here. It gives us hope that one day soon, we might have something like a farm up here! When something goes bump in the night, Jenny and I are up to check on our chicks. We are really depending on them for a lot. They will provide not only eggs for camp, but manure to fertilize our gardens, insect control, and a vitality that will allow many people to connect with our project. 

Faith, Farm, and Food

Last week Jenny and I drove to Sewanee, TN for a conference at the University of the South. We were talking about faith, farm, and food with people from across the Episcopal Church that are involved at the intersection of these three things. Some people we met were priests, some were farmers, some were writers, some were educators, most were a blend of all these. 

Some topics on the table were: 1) why is the Episcopal Church interested in  agricultural reform and improving our food systems? 2) what does farming have to do with God’s plan? 3) How can the church function as a part of the movement to reform our food systems?


Friends From Japan!

We met Hironori at ARI last February.

“Where are you two from?”

“Arkansas!”

“Wow! Do you know ATU?”

“Yeah. In Russleville.”

“I will study there in August.”

We were amazed to have met someone in Japan who would soon be living so close to our home. Finally we found some time to meet Hironori and two of his friends and show them some of Arkansas’ beauty. We went to Mount Nebo and also visited with a parishioner from All Saints, Russelville who is from Japan. We are planning to get together with her and Hironori again to make Sushi!

We miss Japan a lot and really enjoyed listening to Hironori and his friends speak their beautiful language. 

Peace be with you,

Doug and Jenny Knight