For many, the project stirred fond memories. Sharon, a resident at Cedarhurst of Salina, recalled her own childhood experiences on a family farm. “When Justis told me that we were going to hatch chicks, I thought that was a silly thing to do,” Sharon admitted with a smile. “But once we started, it brought back so many memories. On our farm we didn’t have a machine to hatch them, so it was very different— but also very much the same. My favorite part was when we were finally able to take them out of the incubator and hold them.” The hatching wasn’t just about nostalgia —it was also about connection. Residents swapped stories, shared farm knowledge, and delighted in seeing the youngest generation of life emerge right before their eyes. Staff noted how the project sparked new energy, excitement, and daily engagement throughout the building. Now that the chicks have hatched, they’ve been moved to the nursery at Trow Homestead Farm, where the eggs originally came from. There, they’ll grow and thrive—and may one day provide the very eggs that residents will incubate in future years. “It’s become a tradition,” Justis said. “Every spring, our community will welcome new chicks. It’s about joy, memories, and the simple wonder of life.”
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