Bill Bezuk opened his new business at 5th & Washington in April 2010. The following is a short interview of this intriguing resource.

ED: Why did you open The Backyard Farmer? What do you have to offer that's unique from other garden centers or feed stores?

BB: I walked away from a good job with benefits to follow the New American Dream. I started my store using my personal savings and without commercial financing. My goal is to help the community become more self-reliant, and my four core business focuses are: 1. poultry; 2. small plot, high yield gardening; 3. water reclamation; and 4. composting.

ED: What products do you offer?

BB: I want to demo every product my store sells. I'm raising chickens in a parking lot in the middle of town. If I can do that, anyone can raise chickens in the city. I have chicks available throughout the spring & summer, chicken feed (a custom blend from Union Point Custom Feeds, a certified organic brand, and a high quality less expensive brand from McMinnville), duck & rabbit pellets, chicken coops, bedding, books, waterers, feeders, meds, books, chick starter supplies, some nursery/garden items, gift items, and lots of knowledge. Our products are customized for the urban farmer.

ED: What expansion plans do you have?

BB: I hope to add cheesemaking and beekeeping supplies by the end of summer.

ED: Bill, with all your knowledge, you sound like a great resource for answering backyard poultry questions. How about being authoring our chicken advice column?

BB: I'd love to. Folks with questions can email me through my sponsorship ad on the Backyard Chicken page or the Local Business page, or through the link on the Backyard Chicken page to The Eugene Backyard Farmer website.

ED: Thanks for the interview Bill, and good luck!

If you visit Bill's store, be sure to tell him that you read this article on Amazon-ish.

The Eugene Backyard Farmer
541-485-3276
501 Washington