Chicken coops restore hope in Brookville, Ohio after recent tornadoes

Recent tornadoes in Brookville, Ohio have stripped families of their homes and parts of their farming operations. CPN US employees based in Brookville saw the devastating impact the tornadoes had in their community and in the spirit of ‘hatching hope’ the team wanted to help in a lasting way.

“When driving through Brookville, you could clearly see the wreck tornadoes caused for our neighbors,” shared Somer Osswald, administrative assistant for Cargill’s Premix and Nutrition US business. “We wanted to go beyond monetary contributions and help farmers rebuild parts of their farms that were destroyed.”

At the business’s annual meeting, 300 employees, several vendors, and teacher and student volunteers from Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) brought the Hatching Hope Global Initiative to life locally by building two chicken coops. The coops were then donated to a local farm in Montgomery County whose chicken coops were destroyed.

“My favorite part of the experience was seeing the experienced builders work with our employees to help a family in our community,” said Jason Clemmons, supply planner, Cargill Premix and Nutrition.

“To me, Hatching Hope goes beyond an act of charity,” Somer said. “Instead, it provides farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to improve their current situation.” 

Hatching Hope supports farmers around the world to improve their livelihoods, and strengthen their businesses and communities through the production, promotion and consumption of poultry. Now the Barr family in Ohio—similar to the families Hatching Hope works with in India, Mexico and Kenya—have the means to relaunch their poultry production and restore their previous state of living.