Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
– Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”

Robert Frost’s poetry is full of natural imagery. But did you know that Frost also took a more technical interest in agriculture? The National Agricultural Library’s online exhibit Frost on Chickens chronicles Frost’s experiences as a long-time poultry farmer.

Frost worked as a chicken farmer in Derry, New Hampshire, from 1900-1909 and published a dozen articles in trade journals The Eastern Poultryman and The Farm-Poultry. The digital exhibit includes copies of Frost’s publications and other articles on poultry farming.

Over 200 historical and 100 current articles on poultry farming were digitized for the online exhibit to give context to Frost’s articles and stories. Explore focused collections on Hen Houses, Backyard Chickens, Chicken Feed, Egg Production, and more.

Frost farmed “as a fugitive from the world… to save myself and fix myself before I measured myself against all creation.” Learn how Frost developed his poetic voice while working as a farmer.

Are you interested in chicken farming yourself?  Register for the Backyard Chicken Owners Seminar happening all day Saturday, May 8.  Topics include chicken feeding, disease, egg handling, and more.  The event will take place at Hollingsworth Auditorium, on the UT Institute of Agriculture campus, 2505 E. J. Chapman Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996.  Registration is required, and the cost is $38 for adults and $18 for children.  See the brochure for more information.