I’ll Fly Away White Dove Release is an exclusive service that is an enterprise of Camp C.A.R.V.E.R. This unique niche market that Camp CARVER has participated in since the year 2004 has tremendous potential for growth and development. Particularly because at current this Agriculture based enterprise is only served by one other dedicated company in the greater Kansas City area. This low input enterprise is unique in that it requires very little start up capital youth and veterans who participate in the camp can repeat this industry in their own backyard garages, barns or tool sheds. This lucrative business can garner up to $100 for 15 minutes of work! White Dove releases are very popular in the Funeral industry, wedding services, graduations and business grand openings. Camp participants will be mentored to learn the training regimen for the birds, they will also participate in feeding and general animal husbandry. Campers will learn the industry and will be instructed how to start their own Dove Release business. This is a very promising enterprise for Military veterans who can perform "21 Dove Salutes" at the funeral services of fellow deceased veterans.

Our microenterprise has exceeded our expectations and has $192,000 to date.

Without a doubt the most innovative concept for Urban and Rural agriculture to date. Farm Slice provides an opportunity for Urban Farmers and Gardeners to raise their livestock and or gardens in an rural setting that is Agriculturally and commercially zoned. Portions of the100 plus acres will be fenced and divided into Micro farms with pre-fabricated barns. These micro plots, akin to a CSA for livestock will be leased on a yearly basis, the lessees will own the barns, and will have a key to the main gate for access for their animals or gardens at their leisure. Supplemental care and feeding will be provided by the ground caretakers and the summer campers. Contract Urban farmers will have access to water and electricity as well as the ponds. Those who are raising animal or gardens for profit can have access to our on farm processing facility and can benefit from the USDA approved commercial kitchen and slaughtering facility. Commercial producers will be requested to donate 10% of their goods or profit (eggs, vegetables, salsa, fruits or meat) to Camp CARVER, in addition to their monthly land rental. The lessee will be able to choose from the pre-fabricated barn of their choice, however all barns must be painted in the same farm red and white trim color scheme.

10 recreational .5-1 acre plots will be available @ a cost of $150 per month.

10 plots x 12(months) x $150 = $18,000 per year (You can own your own farm for a mere $5 a day!)

3 commercial 65,350 (1 acre- 1.5) square foot commercial micro farms will be available @ a cost of $300

3 plots x $300/month x 12 months = $10,800 per year

This enterprise of Camp CARVER serves a Four fold purpose. As a fancier of this breed for 40 years, the OES is known as a natural livestock protector, affable and gentle to human beings especially children. Their childlike playful nature belies their size and their hardworking ability to protect and herd livestock. Children of Camp CARVER and day visitors will be able to play with, groom and socialize the puppies for future growth and development. The OES temperament and looks make them perfect for therapy dogs with visits to Nursing Homes and children Hospitals. These free visits will be provided by the camp participants. The children will also learn to train, professionally groom and feed the dogs as part of their daily chores. AKC registered and non registered puppies from litters will be sold to individuals, farmers and fanciers while bringing revenue to the camp to assist with the operating budget. Field trips for Camp CARVER participants will be arranged to local and regional dog shows. One outstanding high school or college student who excels in dog care for three years will be granted a chaperoned, free of charge trip to the New York American Kennel Club dog show. Frequent trips for campers to visit Dr. William Swoope of Northeast Animal Hospital (Kansas City, Mo) will also be a part of the regular summer curriculum.

3 females (currently owned) may have up to two litters per year at an average of 6 puppies per litter.

3 females x 6 puppies/litter x $800 (these dogs frequently retail for $1,200)x 2liters per year = 28,800

The feed costs are reduced by supplementing with the offals from the chicken, fish and buffalo processing from Camp CARVER.

Camp CARVER is currently a card carrying member of the Jersey Black Giant Chicken club of America. The Black Giant chicken is a heritage American bred dual purpose chicken. The Giant, as its name suggests is the Largest Chicken of all breeds, it is a prolific egg layer as well a meat bird. We have been graced with the oldest living strain from the flock of Golda Miller, the most successful Jersey Giant breeder in history. This strain has been kept in tack by Heritage breeder Frank Reese (Good Shepherd Farms) who donated the breeding stock to Camp CARVER. Our repurposed 700 egg incubator will be a great ally in building the flock. Black Giant's eggs are larger than standard sized chickens and are higher in omega 3 fatty acids. These free range, grass fed brown eggs bring a premium price and are favored by gourmet restaurants, chefs and informed consumers. Each adult female can lay up to 260 eggs per year a small flock of 100 laying hens is easily manageable.

The input of feed can be minimized by supplementing cracked grain from the Bartlett elevator as well as feeding Cargill Layer feed and chick starter.

The dual purpose ability of the Black Giant and their calm easy going nature make them perfect for children to raise. Giants are the largest purebred chicken. The weight of mature roosters is 11 to 15 pounds and they are usually 22 to 26 inches tall. Mature hens 9 to 11 pounds and usually 16 to 20 inches tall. With a minimum input of a scalder, Featherman chicken plucker and associated equipment, a simple on-farm USDA processing facility can be used to train Camp Participants to process fryers and broilers.

The sale of baby chicks and mature hens/Roosters will only serve to supplement the self-sufficient programming at Camp CARVER.

One of the newly developed and unique on farm agricultural income streams for Camp CARVER is that of Great Plains Buffalo (Bison Bison) production. The acquisition of a Buffalo Herd in lieu of traditional beef cattle production adds several financial advantages to the Beginning Farmer, Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran farmers.

First and foremost, there is a great demand and limited supply for US produced Buffalo meat and by- products. The all natural lean and low cholesterol Buffalo meat is favored over beef and chicken by the US Heart Association. About 7.5 million pounds of meat from approximately 15,000 bison are sold annually in the United States which equates to $350 million per year. The USDA's Meat and Poultry Inspection Directory lists about 100 bison-processing facilities nationwide. While Missouri does not require meat inspection of slaughtered bison, many restaurants and retailers prefer USDA- or state inspected meat. Also, USDA inspection is required if meat is to be sold across state lines. Although bison still have many of their wild tendencies and are only semi-domesticated, they are a perfect agricultural alternative appropriate for small-scale and part-time farms. -No artificial shelter (barns, etc.) needed. Bison prefer to be outside, year round, despite the weather.

-Efficient feed utilization, making them economical foragers which do well on most grasses in the United States.

-Long productive lives.

-Primary requirements: Fresh water and adequate nutrition.

-Calving rarely requires human intervention. Bison by and large calve on their own.

-Superior hardiness results in disease resistance, lower input costs, fewer veterinarian visits.

-Bison thrive in most North American landscapes with no ill effects.

-The bison industry enjoys a free enterprise market without excessive intervention.

-Bison demand has consistently grown in double digits for the past six years.

Although the initial cost of bison are more expensive than standard beef cows the vertically integrated production return cost on 1 Buffalo is equal to the return cost of 24 head of cattle. Buffaloes naturally mate, are not approved for growth promotors or hormones and are not susceptible to common diseases that affect cattle. Therefore veterinary costs and medical costs are minimized. Buffalo production meets the sustainable demands and model of agriculture production with very lucrative returns.

One of our mentors retired Army veteran and master welder, Tommy Tilford is experienced in Buffalo Ranching. Another Veteran Mentor James Sims, is a current master Butcher and meat processor and is very well versed in Buffalo butchering and hide skinning. Executive director John Drew, is a fourth-generation leather crafter and experienced in hide tanning and leather garment production.

Inputs Buffalo

Solar Powered Electric Fencing, Corrals, Squeeze Chute

Cattle Gates

Out Puts

Current wholesale price of Buffalo meat have seen 126 % increase over the last 5 years

Tanned Hides-$900- $1500

Taxidermy heads/ skulls -$120-$350

Hooves, offals and bones can be processed to dog food for sale and to supplement our own on farm dog production.

Youth and Veteran participants alike will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to begin their own buffalo or beef cattle enterprise and will gain all skills from butchering, tanning and meat processing. The National Bison Assoc. (NBA) national convention 2017 will be held in Kansas City.