08/12/2025
Recently inspire by Mojo Homestead’s shared post, giving thanks and recognition to all the educators, mentors, and breeders who had filled her cup over the years; I would like to follow suit and do the same!
As mentioned previously in my piece touching on the growth of the Ayam Cemani community, I highlighted the importance of looking outside of ourselves (Ayam Cemani) and learning from the poultry community as a whole.
It was not until I began to expand my education outside of our small community, did I quickly learn most of our breeding challenges were not as unique to our breed (Ayam Cemani) as we had assumed.
This was a great moment of realization for myself as someone whose only introduction to poultry had been through Ayam Cemani.
The dots began to connect, understanding clicked, and my mindset was broadened.
I know in this I am not alone, as we tend to see a higher amount of new enthusiast and “breeders” drawn to Ayam Cemani without previous knowledge or expertise of the poultry world.
While this can be a great asset to have - coming into the field with a set of fresh eyes; it can also be a struggle to find complete and correct information due to the lack of well rounded education within our small circle.
This is where I’d like to begin sharing my list of mentors, educators, & leaders who have contributed to filling MY cup during the course of my journey with invaluable knowledge, insight, inspiration, & collaboration.
•Nolie Smith with Mojo homestead is a bright light in the poultry community, from every day educational opportunities to in-depth genetic lessons on egg color and breeding strategies; Nolie is sure to cover it without hesitation.
She truly is a hidden gem offering mentorship and guidance all depths of breeders and enthusiast can benefit from!!
•Rip Stalvey with the Poultry Keepers Podcast has been an endless source of FREELY given knowledge and insight. With a plethora of articles written for the APA on countless topics; Rip has covered just about all of it and has given selflessly for decades to the poultry community.
•Alexandra Anna with Duck Hollow Farm is a highly respected Master and Grandmaster Exhibitor of the APA, best known for her specialized waterfowl. Introducing Ayam Cemani to her breeding program in 2015, Alexandra has been an extraordinary contribution to our current acceptance process.
Working with exhibition bantam Orpingtons and leghorns, Alexandra has spent the last five years specializing in restoring nearly extinct breeds.
With a heart of gold and a dedication to detail like no other, Alexandra continues to not only collect the ribbons & titles, but also makes time to teach the youth and help guide our next generation.
•Mary Lavook while working closely with Ayam Cemani and Silkies, has maintained great dedication to breeding towards and applying APA standards to her program. Not only is she an undeniable asset to the ACBA’s progress in the recognition process, but she is also one of the first breeders in our community to really push for our members to look outside of ourselves & seek advice and knowledge from the poultry world around us. With much respect and reverence, I am truly grateful for all the time Mary has invested in me, helping me to grow in my journey, a true mentor to me.
•Gina Wrather with Wrathers Farm comes with fresh new eager eyes and a solid background in genetics! In the last few years she has provided the community with necessary food for thought, invaluable new information, and challenged our way of thinking in the most positive of manners; a true asset! Working alongside numerous APA recognized breeds such as RIR & Marans, Gina is dedicated to the pursuit of perfection and continued education!
•Jerry Craig with Deep South Buff Orpingtons is a single breed and single variety exhibitor of APA Buff Orpingtons. Based out of the southeast, for
over a decade, Jerry has been diligently applying old school breeding techniques to his program, molding his birds into his winning interpretation of the Standard of Perfection, with a goal to restore and return the original Orpington to the show halls of America!!
•Blake Bell with Heritage Poultry is a dedicated heritage poultry breeder, educator, and judge with a lifelong passion for preserving Standard-bred poultry. Founder of LuxPoultry and co-visionary behind a forthcoming heritage poultry museum, Blake works to restore rare breeds to their original type, productivity, and beauty!
•Between Scott Perry & his fiancé Evan Mercer with Caroline Boys Exhibition Poultry, they have a collective DECADES of experience and knowledge perfecting a variety of breeds!
From show stoping Brahmas, to leggy gamefowl; Scott and Evan have seen and worked with it all! Quick to put a smile on your face with their wit and humor, you will never lack entertainment when visiting their pages for furthering education.
•Bronwen Brune with Queen B Farm LLC is an inspiring Brahma breeder!
Leading by example through her journey with mottled Brahma, she is a refreshing reminder of the realistic expectations of bringing a new variety to standard, thinking outside the box, and how to strategically breed!!
•Jennifer Bryant, cohost of the Poultry Nerds podcast raises exhibition buff Orpingtons and specializes in coturnix & button quail! You can find a wide range of educational blog topics relating to poultry keeping, breeding, and self sustainability, along with custom shipping supplies at her online Bryant’s roost website!
•Carey Blackmon, the other half of the Poultry Nerds Podcast, is a phenomenal source of information. Not only has Carey dedicated his time and efforts to serving the community through free education, but he is also the creator of a perfectly and scientifically balanced feed for poultry - Show Pro.
Each of these inspirational individuals brings something to the table our community benefits from, freely giving of their knowledge, experience, and time to help preserve and enhance our communal growth.
I encourage everyone to consider making a connection to expand your education and viewpoint, along with sharing those who have inspired you during your journey, contributing to filling your cup in one way or another.
