Ebenezer Farms

October 13, 2009 - 103 chicks arrived and marked the beginning of Ebenezer Farms. This is a grass-roots type of project designed to give autonomy to nationals. It creates an income-generating business with little overhead and reasonable profit. All the profits from Ebenezer Farms goes back into godly nationals with whom we are associated.

Project 1 is the first chicken house here in Karen; where we stay. It's here where it's taking shape and we are learning how to best implement this plan. Noah and Thomas are critical parts of the project. They are the ones we have entrusted this first project unto. It's all for their benefit and future. We have to gain as much understanding as possible now, so we can limit problems in the future. Our partners will need a finely-tuned project if they are to be successful. Having Noah to be the key advisor to our partners will also be important.

"What do you mean by chicken farming?"

What we've created is a perpetuating micro-business concept that will fund ministry, business, and families for an indeterminable future for national believers. No less than 100 broiler chicks at a time will be brought into a well thought out structure on site, raised for a period of 7 weeks, then sold to a poultry hungry market at a reasonable price. The on-going costs for caring for the chickens is moderate where as the going rate for a fully mature chicken is ideal. Every 3-5 weeks, a new lot of chicks will be purchased to replace those sold in the market and recycle the process to keep the micro-business sustained.

"What kind of start-up cost is involved in a project like this?"

What we've determined, thus far, is that there are 3 aspects involved in order to replicate this project for our national friends:

1. Construction of suitable house (2 rooms for 2 stages of chickens) - $400-500

2. Initial Investment of chicks (x2 orders) & materials - $285

3. 2 months supply of feed, meds, water, misc. - $325

Total Cost - $1000 - $1100

This will be enough of a catalyst for them to start with confidence and begin to create sustainability for themselves outside of further foreign investment. After the initial investment, our partners won't require assistance to continue funding their business. They will be able to perpetuate it and even grow it as they themselves grow within this newly provided opportunity. (As they move forward, they'll discover better methods, cost saving concepts, larger customer base, and even opportunities to fund other ventures)

"How long does it take to begin a project from construction to market?"

Once we identify if a partner has located and secured a suitable location for a project, we have to spend a couple of days educating them on raising poultry and operating a business. Noah and I are compiling a "handbook" for each partner that will guide them through even the smallest of things such as where to buy certain vitamins for them. (Noah will also be our resident advisor / project overseer. He will visit each site routinely and be available for their questions) After we accomplish those two important areas, we can construct a house, order chicks, begin raising them, order a second lot of chicks, then go to market in less than 9 weeks.

We are planning on making this an "ownership enterprise". This means that each partner will be agreeing to "buy back" a portion of the investment put into their business. The yet determined amount of "buy back" funds will go toward installing another Ebenezer Farm project for another national friend. It might help fund another pastor, a single mom who has struggled to provide for her family, a former street boy who has a new lease on life, and countless other potential beneficiaries. That way Ebenezer Farms is growing more than just chickens. It's growing disciples and other ministry opportunities!

There's more to come with this project! Just keep eatin more chicken... feel like I've heard that somewhere...

If you want to be a part of funding an Ebenezer Farm plant for a national here, please email us and inform us of your desire. The costs above include everything involved in making this happen.

Enjoy the photos of Ebenezer Farms beginnings...

Ebenezer Farms first building - "She's a beaut Clark!"

103 chicks on day 1 of Ebenezer Farms

Mr. Thomas dreams of fat chickens (or you can call him Billy Dee Williams)

We wouldn't be anywhere without Noah!

Eat boys eat! Get fat! Make us money!