Potter's Farm/Waterfowl/Bird Farm

Hello, my name is Josh Potter and I live in Marshallberg, North Carolina, a fishing village on Core Sound.  I have had a love for birds and animals of all types from as early as I can remember and began raising pigeons and chickens at the age of 10 in my parents' backyard.  My small "farm" in their back yard expanded over the years to include ducks, geese, guineas, peacocks and even goats.  It was a hobby that gave me pleasure but also was one that helped me to overcome some learning issues by giving me something to focus on and to research.  I quickly learned how to sell eggs and hatch chicks to sell to other farmers to be able to support my growing "farm."  At one point, I believe my parents encouraged my hobby thinking I would probably outgrow it but hoping I would stick with it at least long enough to stay out of trouble.  It worked!  I had the responsibility of all of these animals and I would rush home from school and spend the hours until dark out in the enclosures and pens and all day on weekends.  My mother likes to tell the story that when the doorbell rang and she answered it, she knew right away if the person was there to see my older brother or me.  My brother's friends were usually carrying a skateboard or a surfboard and looking for him but my visitors were mostly 65 or older and looking for advice on birds or to look at my latest acquistions.  At 21, I've built a true farm and have moved on from the small back yard.  I have over 200 birds ranging from rare chicken breeds to exotic peacocks and rare ducks.  I've found a tract of land large enough to house and continue to build my farm.  My dream is to build a waterfowl park and bird farm and to invite school groups to tour and learn about the local birds as well as other species and to also encourage visitors to visit the site.  I would like to encourage other young people to learn and be involved in raising waterfowl and other birds and show them that it can be "cool" to be different and enjoy things other than the accepted high school activities.  Since the 2nd grade, I've been involved with our local elementary school's egg cycle program; first as a student who took the chicks home each year to raise and then in later years, providing the eggs to them to hatch and then taking the chicks home.  I truly enjoy the life of a farmer and wish I could do this full-time.  I believe in living off the land as much as one can and currently have a large garden and participate in a Community Service Agreement in which I sell vegetables to local community members.  I also work at an organic farm in the community and have learned so much about the process.  I'm proud to live in a community known for its hardworking people and want to continue that tradition.  Please help me fund my dream.  I am trying to raise money to build large enclosures and dig a pond to try and create a natural type habitat for the waterfowl and other birds so that others can visit and enjoy them as much as I do.  THANK YOU!