Help My Rabbitry Become a Business!
Donation protected
Hello! My name is Emma McKinney, and I am a high school senior in rural Trout Lake, Washington. About five years ago I discovered the joys of rabbit breeding and the rewards of providing my family with a healthy, sustainable meat source. When it came time to choose my senior project, I wanted to choose something that I would not only enjoy, but something that would benefit my family and community, and embrace my passions for years to come. So I decided to take my rabbitry business, Lil'O Rabbitry , to the next level.
Ever since founding my rabbitry I have received many requests for rabbit meat from interested parties within the community and nearby businesses, however I have been unable to provide rabbit due to food safety laws. It turns out rabbit is hard to find. There are 9 processors in Washington State licensed to process and sell rabbit meat, and many rabbits found in stores (if you can find any) are imported from factory farms in China. This makes it almost impossible to find one of the healthiest, most sustainable meats known to man locally. So I have made it my personal goal to be able to provide families and businesses in my community with fresh, local, organically grown, and ethically raised rabbit meat.
In order to achieve this goal I need to build a processing facility, obtain my Washington State Food Processor's License and Business License, and renew and build my current rabbitry facilities to allow for growth and healthier, happier rabbits to appease the market needs. And I need at least a solid start by June!
The processing facility is going to be the most costly piece of the project, this will require the construction of a building, which will likely be 10'x12,' and purchasing all of the amenities, including linoleum flooring, coolers, lighting systems, and a commercial freezer/ refridgerator unit. Because we already have many of the resources needed, the construction of the building will likely cost us around $1,600, and the freezer unit will be around $1,500.
We will also need improved facilities for the rabbits to promote health and productivity: new cages, resting mats, an automatic watering system, new breeding stock, and of course, feed. In order to upgrade our cages and supplies we will need around $800, but the bill is always growing.
These are big goals for a 17 year old, I know. However, this is something I am passionate about, and I know there is a growing number of rabbit enthusiasts and community members who would like to see rabbit back on the market and gain access to this amazing meat source. I want to be the one to provide that, that is my senior project and personal goal. Any and all help is appreciated, and if you have any questions or advice you can contact me through Go Fund Me, or check out our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/lilorabbitry
Thank you!
Ever since founding my rabbitry I have received many requests for rabbit meat from interested parties within the community and nearby businesses, however I have been unable to provide rabbit due to food safety laws. It turns out rabbit is hard to find. There are 9 processors in Washington State licensed to process and sell rabbit meat, and many rabbits found in stores (if you can find any) are imported from factory farms in China. This makes it almost impossible to find one of the healthiest, most sustainable meats known to man locally. So I have made it my personal goal to be able to provide families and businesses in my community with fresh, local, organically grown, and ethically raised rabbit meat.
In order to achieve this goal I need to build a processing facility, obtain my Washington State Food Processor's License and Business License, and renew and build my current rabbitry facilities to allow for growth and healthier, happier rabbits to appease the market needs. And I need at least a solid start by June!
The processing facility is going to be the most costly piece of the project, this will require the construction of a building, which will likely be 10'x12,' and purchasing all of the amenities, including linoleum flooring, coolers, lighting systems, and a commercial freezer/ refridgerator unit. Because we already have many of the resources needed, the construction of the building will likely cost us around $1,600, and the freezer unit will be around $1,500.
We will also need improved facilities for the rabbits to promote health and productivity: new cages, resting mats, an automatic watering system, new breeding stock, and of course, feed. In order to upgrade our cages and supplies we will need around $800, but the bill is always growing.
These are big goals for a 17 year old, I know. However, this is something I am passionate about, and I know there is a growing number of rabbit enthusiasts and community members who would like to see rabbit back on the market and gain access to this amazing meat source. I want to be the one to provide that, that is my senior project and personal goal. Any and all help is appreciated, and if you have any questions or advice you can contact me through Go Fund Me, or check out our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/lilorabbitry
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Emma Leigh McKinney
Organizer
Mollie Wenger
Beneficiary