Join Dodge Nature Center’s Farm Director Don Oberdorfer from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at Shepard Farm in Cottage Grove to learn how to raise chickens in the backyard.

Whether the interest is a new hobby, new pet, or the desire for fresh eggs, this class will prepare you to successfully raise chickens in your yard by covering topics from poultry biology to housing, and much more.

According to Brenda Teats, Development Director for Dodge Nature Center, the “Chickens in the Backyard” program was first established at the Dodge Nature Center’s West Saint Paul property and has now expanded to the Shepard Farm property in Cottage Grove.

“At the main property in West Saint Paul there is an established chicken coop with about three dozen free range chickens,” explained Teats.

Volunteers recently renovated the chicken coop at Shepard Farm working diligently to create a safe and beautiful structure for the live chickens that will arrive in April 2023. The new members of Shepard Farm will be free range, having both indoor and outdoor areas with a covered and fenced outside yard.

Free range, organic eggs from the West Saint Paul Coop are available for purchase when in season. Eggs from Shepard Farm will also be available for purchase in the future once the chickens are established.

Come prepared for the weather as this class will take place both indoors and outdoors. Space is limited, and reservations can be made online at dodgenaturecenter.org. The cost is $15 per person and the program is for ages 18+. Registration typically closes the day before the program at noon.

The city of Cottage Grove allows residents to keep chickens with a maximum of six hens and no roosters, with a completed permit application and supplemented materials. For more information on keeping chickens in Cottage Grove go to cottagegrovemn.gov.