EAST HELENA — Fresh eggs, backyard farming, and a passion for agriculture are bringing one East Helena woman closer to her community. For Kim O’Brien and her farm, Emerald Acres, it is, well, a quail of a time.
"It is just fun,” O’Brien said.
(Watch the full Montana Ag Report below)
For the past four years, O'Brien has been hobby farming, and along the way, she's developed a love for raising birds.
"I just like listening to them, and it is very therapeutic,” she said.
What started with a small flock of chickens has grown into a diverse backyard farm with quail, guineas, and pheasants, offering something for nearly everyone.
"I can help out people around the neighborhood that want fresh eggs rather than store-bought eggs," O’Brien said.
But eggs are only part of the story. The birds each serve a different purpose, from producing food to providing meat, and even helping train hunting dogs.
"Birds have a variety of utility,” O’Brien said.
As Emerald Acres continues to grow, so does O'Brien's mission to help people better understand where their food comes from and show that agriculture can thrive even in a backyard coop.
"There is so much agriculture that people don't even understand and don't look in the background,” O’Brien said. “They go to the store, they buy the food, and they think that's all there is to it."
For O'Brien, caring for her flock has also become a reminder to appreciate life's simple necessities.
"Do not stress over the big stuff,” she said. “All they want is their food, water, and to be cared for, and that's really all you need in life."
If you are interested in Emerald Acres products, you can visit this link.
