As part of the long-running Lamplighter Layers program, fourth-graders raise chickens on the school’s farm and launch their own businesses, selling the eggs.
The kids learn about where their food comes from and the challenges involved, as well as basic entrepreneurial skills. They must assess the value of the stock, income, expenses, sales, egg production, and decide to do with the end-of-year dividends — more than most us knew how to do in fourth grade.
There’s a philanthropic angle to the project, too. This year, the students sold more than 5,500 eggs and donated profits to the World Wildlife Fund, UNICEF and the Lamplighter Land Fund.
In the barn right now, as the school year comes to an end, a new batch of baby chicks is awaiting the students’ return this fall. This year’s third-graders weighed and measured the chicks in preparation.
