Hi, I'm Mike! I'm an urban farmer, educator and researcher based in Chicago, IL. I currently grow mostly with small urban farms and community gardens, and I tend a large covey of quail and a small flock of chickens. I have experience with goatherding, dairying, cheesemaking and goat's milk confectionery. I also have experience raising pigs for meat off the whey from the cheesemaking and have butchered quail (although I am a vegetarian of 25 years 😹). I am interested in learning about all aspects of agriculture and animal husbandry, urban and rural, and have worked professionally in both settings. In more casual settings I have known all kinds of animals: snakes, reptiles, amphibians, horses, buffalo, bison, insects and spiders, and more. I lived with alpacas for a season as a teen, and spent time on movie sets with baby lions, monkeys, and many very well behaved dogs. I also helped to train many reactive dogs and service dogs. Whatever your farm, sanctuary, or pet care needs, I'm open to working together to provide your barnmates the best care.