Agricultural Education

As stewards of Ten Chimneys our goal is to preserve the grounds of this historic estate and to develop the authentic nature of the property. In doing so, we have reintroduced chickens to Ten Chimneys and rehabilitated Alfred's vegetable garden.

For the first time in over sixty years, chickens are in residence at Ten Chimneys. In 1941, the estate’s farm manager, Ben Perkins, wrote about getting the Lunts' first eighteen chickens. Over time, their flock grew to over two hundred chickens. Alfred and Ben, like other local farmers, consulted UW-Madison for farming advice. Alfred adhered to their suggestion that light stimulates egg production when he designed the chicken coop to include large picture windows. Our chickens reside in that very same stone chicken coop (pictured below).

In 2013, through developing community collaborations, the Lunts' vegetable garden was rehabilitated. The garden continues to thrive, and in the tradition that was the Lunts, all produce is being donated to food pantries in our community.

Stay connected on our news page for updates on this exciting new program.