 |
Rhonda and Sharon Piasecki and RowlandFounders of the company 'Just As Hens'
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- The Birth of Just As Hens
- A Shared Love for Chickens
- The Just As Hens Enterprise
- Building a Knowledge Base
- Addressing Challenges and Providing Solutions
- Expanding Horizons
- Portland's Local Food Revolution
- A Vision for Urban Sustainability
- Community Engagement and Expansion
The Birth of Just As Hens
Rhonda Piasecki and Sharon Rowland, the founders of Just As Hens, share an unwavering passion for chickens. These accomplished gardeners and close friends established their Portland-based business, specializing in poultry care and gardening consultations.
A Shared Love for Chickens
Piasecki's love for chickens stemmed from her journey towards self-sufficiency and growing her own food. Rowland echoed this sentiment, expressing that "chickens and gardening go hand in hand. They create compost, scratch the soil, eliminate pests, and they make this really wonderful ambient noise."
The Just As Hens Enterprise
Just As Hens was born from the friendship and shared interests of Piasecki and Rowland. They met while working together at the Urban Farm Store. Their bond remained strong even after Piasecki left due to health reasons. Inspired by a friend's aspirations to become a chicken consultant, Piasecki approached Rowland, who had been harboring similar thoughts. "She wanted to do something with chickens and already had a business name," Piasecki recalled.
Building a Knowledge Base
Over several months, the duo delved deep into research, penning down ideas and resources. In May, they officially launched their venture, with Rowland creating a blog and website that went live in July. The business model remains flexible as they navigate this unique niche in Portland's thriving chicken-keeping community.
Addressing Challenges and Providing Solutions
Backyard chickens are a common sight in Portland, but many owners encounter unforeseen obstacles. Chickens can squabble, succumb to illnesses, face attacks from predators, and even stop laying eggs. This is where Just As Hens steps in. Piasecki and Rowland possess a wealth of knowledge, having designed coops, cared for sick birds, and solved complex problems. "When I first started raising chickens," Piasecki remarked, "I wished I had someone to call for advice. Now, we have the knowledge and experience to help others."
Expanding Horizons
Currently, Rowland and Piasecki primarily focus on laying hens, but they plan to explore meat birds as well, recognizing the growing trend of people raising chickens for food. "People are thinking about the lifespan of their animals. When they're done laying, what do you do with them—retire them or put them in soup? It's a reality," Rowland explained.
Portland's Local Food Revolution
"It's a reawakening," Piasecki added. "People want to know where their food comes from now. The economy has a lot to do with it." Portland is an exemplary city for local food production, but Rowland has observed a nationwide surge in this trend. She draws parallels to the World Wars, when citizens were encouraged to grow vegetables in their yards, porches, and rooftops, and even raise chickens. Posters from the early 20th century promoted, "Two hens per family per backyard—and a family could be fed."
A Vision for Urban Sustainability
Rowland and Piasecki share a desire for a more sustainable urban environment. They envision a future where people raise goats and bees alongside chickens. The women are actively pursuing knowledge in beekeeping and goat care to support the growing community of urban farmers. While Just As Hens initially accepted clients with poultry, ferrets, and rabbits, they have since specialized solely in chickens.
Community Engagement and Expansion
Their cycling-centric lifestyle limits their service area to Portland's north and northwest districts. This summer, the duo will participate in local farmers' markets and festivals. On September 12th, they will host a chicken-keeping workshop at Tryon Creek State Park. However, their ambitions extend beyond these events. "Consulting is one of the things we wanted to do because we love birds so much and we love talking about chickens and gardening. We wanted to share that with people."
