Exciting News! Metzer Farms has entered The 2023 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. We are one of over 8,200 entrants in this year's contest.
We entered this contest because we feel our relationship with the USPS and FedEx partnership to transport waterfowl across the nation is vital to our success in getting our birds transported safely to our customers in a timely fashion.
In 2022, we opened up a second hatchery location in Memphis, TN specifically to be closer to FedEx’s Worldwide Hub. Our orders ranging from 2 to 5,000 ducklings and goslings are taken to the Memphis FedEx Hub, flown direct to customers’ local airports the same day, and then delivered to our customer's local post offices for pick up the next morning. Being close to the FedEx hub allows for the fastest delivery times and safest transit for shipping day-old birds nationally. Transport by FedEx is imperative for the health of our ducklings, the success of our business, and the happiness of our customers.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING
FedEx has a portion of this grant contest opened up to the public called The People's Choice Voting Period. During the People’s Choice Voting period, you can vote for your favorite business once per 24-hour period and help them win a $1000 cash gift card. One winner will be chosen each day and one entrant can win the People’s Choice Award daily.
Can you help us win The People's Choice Award for a specific day? We were hoping if all our Metzer Farms Customers and Friends voted on Tuesday, March 7th, we might have a shot at winning a gift card.
Here are the voting details:
WHEN TO VOTE:
Tuesday, March 7th, 2023
WHO TO VOTE FOR:
Metzer Farms!
HOW TO VOTE:
Click on this link HERE and then click on the Orange Box that says "Like This Entry"
WHY TO VOTE:
If we win, we will donate the $1000 winnings as gift certificates and birds to 4H, FFA and Poultry Club Fund Raisers this year. We will set up a website page on how to apply and recipients will be listed along with their organization and event!
Check out our Metzer Farms' FedEx Grant Submission by clicking HERE. Make sure to view our VIDEO we made about why we should win.
As always, THANK YOU for your continued support of Metzer Farms and our ducks and geese!
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Are your waterfowl a rare breed considered "threatened" by The Livestock Conservancy? Are you a farmer who focuses on an endangered waterfowl species? Breeds like Saxony, Magpies, Silver Appleyards, and Buff Ducks are definitely low in numbers in the United States as are Pilgrim Geese and Sebastopols. The Livestock Conservancy ranks most poultry breeds and how rare they are. More information on this ranking system can be found HERE.
If you are a rare waterfowl breed enthusiast, The Livestock Conservancy (TLC) has an amazing Microgrant Program just for you. The TLC has an Microgrant Program where it awards more than $20K to rare breed farmers, ranchers, shepherds, and breed organizations across the United States. This grant program awards money yearly for heritage breed conservation projects in National, Youth, and Breed Association categories. This money allows people to do such things as build pens or shelters or buy breeders to preserve rare breeds of waterfowl across America.
For more information, please vist the below links and spread the word!
The Livestock Conservancy's Website
Press Release on the TLC's Microgrant Program
The Microgrant Webpage for More Information
2023 Microgrant Applications will open in May 2023.
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LILY THE THERAPY DUCK
Customer, Misty J. from Alabama knew Lily, her female White Crested Duck, was special from day one. Misty got Lily as a duckling in June 2019 and she still owns Lily today. From the start, Misty was drawn to Lily because of her sweet, confident demeanor. During those early weeks as a duckling Lily imprinted on Misty.
Misty describes the situation, "Lily was so sweet, patient, and affectionate. She would climb into my lap and go to sleep as I messaged her crest on the top of her head. She would give me kisses and hugs and she loved to be right next to me and have physical contact. I've had ducks before and I've never experienced this type of behavior. It started me thinking about therapy animals."
Sure enough after lots of thought and evaluation, Misty decided that Lily would make a fantastic therapy duck. She ordered duck diapers for Lily and she started to take her out-and-about as much as possible to begin the socialization process.
"I was amazed how well Lily did," says Misty, "She allowed people to pet her, and she sat so still, not making a sound. Most people thought she was fake!" Eventually Lily began to make regular visits to see special needs children and she would interact with the children. With her visits, Lily brought a special message. Misty explains:
"I would tell the children that Lily has a disability too. I would tell them Lily's disability is her crest - the best part of her. I would explain that the crest of a duck is a genetic mutation that causes a deformity of the skull in ducks, which is where the puff of feathers form. I would tell them that just because you might be different doesn’t mean that it's a bad thing. Your difference can be the best part of you!"
Lily also started visiting nursing homes and hospice patients. She learned to pose for the camera and to turn her head from side to side when Misty said, "pretty girl". Lily has also been featured in the local paper and she has even been a guest with Misty on a local radio show. Pretty amazing!
Misty sums it up best by saying, "Lily has been a blessing to me and it fills my heart to see people smile when they see her. People tell me all the time that Lily 'made their day'. I wanted to share Lily's story with you and to say Thank You. When Lily is famous someday, you can be proud that she came from Metzer Farms."
Such a great story! Photos of Lily can be seen below.
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We wanted to find out a little bit about you our Metzer Farms Customer. Would you have time for a super quick & easy survey consisting of 3 simple questions? If so, that would be amazing! Just click on the below link to connect to our survey.
Thank you!
- Your Friends at Metzer Farms
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If you have any questions,
please reply to this email or call us at (800) 424-7755.
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