As we watched from just beyond a low poultry fence three adolescent Rudd Rangers raced from their coop to chase a grasshopper The fastest one snatched the protein-rich treat and quickly swallowed it

We were at Etzel’s Sugar Grove Farm just north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the home of Rodale Midwest Organic Center Their staff are working to solve an orchardist’s problem

“We are learning ways to use chickens to create an income source before tiny trees bear fruit or nuts,” said Research Director Sean Stokes Planting fruit or nut trees is expensive, and they need to be tended for several