Ark Hopper Ministries fuels the Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20
Through sustainable rabbit Farming
We provide healthy meat and breeding stock to churches and communities, meeting practical needs and lower overhead costs—freeing up vital resources for missions and evangelism. Our goal is to minister spiritually and practically to other 501(c)(3) non-profits operating Christ-centered programs. Christian organizations can utilize this sustainable and nutritious protein source to offset ministry expenses and incorporate sustainable agriculture into their discipleship program.
The Impact of Rabbit Agriculture
Sustainable & Affordable: A healthy food source that reduces costs for Christian organizations.
Resource Redirection: Lower food costs means more finances for missions and evangelism.
Biblical Stewardship: Utilizing God’s resources to reach the needy and get the Gospel and Word of God to the lost
Biblical Discipleship
For us, discipleship means becoming a committed follower of Jesus Christ, learning to love like Him, and making disciples of others. It's a lifelong process of growth and learning, often facilitated through various avenues like, one-on-one mentoring, and Sunday services. We emphasize both personal spiritual growth and sharing the gospel with others, viewing it as a core calling for all followers of Christ.
What It Means
Following Jesus: A disciple is someone who loves and follows Jesus, learning to love like He does by sharing what they've received.
Personal Growth: Discipleship involves a journey of learning about God, growing in your faith, and developing a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Making Disciples: It's not just about personal growth, but also about actively sharing your faith and helping others become disciples as well.
How It Happens
One-on-One Discipleship: A mentoring relationship where you discuss and apply biblical truths with a Christ follower.
Sunday Services: Learning about the Word of God at Calvary Chapel of Ann Arundel County and connecting with other believers.
Outreaches: Challenging men and women to share their faith through local and International outreaches. By partnering with Christ centered recovery programs and other Christian organizations, we encourage men and women to share the gospel alongside Calvary Chapel Anne Arundel’s Saturday outreach and other ministries we partner with.
Outreach Through Discipleship and Rabbit Agriculture
Christ-centered organizations that have grounds suitable for a small-scale rabbit farm can invest in hutch kits to offset monthly expenses through a sustainable and healthy food source.
How We Serve
Ministering to other non-profits operating Christ-centered programs. We help Christian organizations utilize this nutritious protein source to offset ministry expenses and incorporate sustainable agriculture into their discipleship program.
We offer practical hands-on lessons, mentoring and biblical discipleship through small scale farming using meat rabbit cage kits set up on the Christian organization’s grounds.
1 John 3:16-18 NKJV
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Custom Hutch Kits And Flexible Ways To Grow
Whether you want a turnkey setup or prefer to build it yourself, we’re here to help.
On-Site Installation: We are proud to support Christian organizations by offering setup services free of charge. Your organization simply covers the cost of materials, equipment, and transportation.
Supplies & Materials: Prefer to handle the labor? Contact us for a detailed breakdown of kit options and direct-from-supplier pricing.
Basic
Manual care that’s perfect for established barns. Focuses on fundamental equipment and individual water bottles. This kit is designed for organizations that have enclosures or barns suitable for a rabbitry.
1 x Book (A Practical Guide to Rabbit Ranching, Deborah Mays)
14 x Cages at 84 square feet total
4 x 50 lbs. bags pellet feed
4 x 50 bs. hay bales
1 x 6 lbs. bag Calf Mana lactation supplement
4 x Does from unrelated lines
2 x Bucks from unrelated lines
Feeding equipment water bottles and hardware
Installation and set up
Pro
Automated growth designed for efficiency. Upgrades your workflow with automated watering to save time and labor. (Basic Kit + Water Automation) As with the Basic Kit, the Pro is designed for organizations that have enclosures or barns suitable for a rabbitry.
1 x Book (A Practical Guide to Rabbit Ranching, Deborah Mays)
14 x Cages at 84 square feet total
4 x 50 lbs. bags pellet feed
4 x 50 bs. hay bales
1 x 6 lbs. bag Calf Mana lactation supplement
4 x Does from unrelated lines
2 x Bucks from unrelated lines
Feeding equipment automated water system and hardware
Installation and set up
Ultimate
Full Infrastructure and everything you need from the ground up. Includes automated systems and a fully adaptable, climate-flexible metal barn. (Basic Kit + Pro Kit + Convertible Barn)
1 x Book (A Practical Guide to Rabbit Ranching, Deborah Mays)
14 x Cages at 84 square feet total
4 x 50 lbs. bags pellet feed
4 x 50 bs. hay bales
1 x 6 lbs. bag Calf Mana lactation supplement
4 x Does from unrelated lines
2 x Bucks from unrelated lines
Feeding equipment automated water system and hardware
Convertible metal barn with removable wall panels.
Installation and set up
Please note that the above kits are for a minimal sustainable operation to provide rabbit protein for an average size family without buying replacement breeders constantly.
Your Questions Answered
Why Rabbit?
The movement in the United States and around the world is toward seeking lower fat, lower cholesterol, lower calorie foods which are still a good source of protein and yet actually taste good. Sounds impossible, right? Not if you consider one of the oldest sources of meat on the planet, the rabbit. Rabbit is a fine-grained, mild-flavored all white meat that is lower in fat, cholesterol, calories and is higher in protein than any other meat.
As world populations rise and there is less land to raise quality food, the rabbit may play an increasingly important role in our national and international food supplies. One rabbit doe can produce 250+ pounds of meat in a year and is many times more efficient than a cow in turning feed into meat.
Rabbit agriculture is a highly efficient and sustainable livestock option, ideal for both small-scale and commercial farming due to its low barrier to entry and minimal space requirements. Rabbits have a rapid turnover rate, reaching market weight in just 8-14 weeks while requiring significantly less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock.
Why Would Rabbit Farming Be Useful?
Meat Production & Processing
One of the primary markets for live rabbits is the meat industry. Processing plants typically establish consistent partnerships with breeders to maintain a steady supply. These facilities often operate on a contract basis, agreeing to purchase a specific volume of stock each month at a fixed live-weight price. To meet premium culinary standards, these rabbits are generally "fryer" age—under 16 weeks old—with an ideal weight range between 4.75 and 6.25 lbs.
High-Quality Breeding Stock
Investing in elite genetics is one of the most effective ways to boost your rabbitry's bottom line. New Zealand Whites and Californians are two of the more primary breeds for consistent production. By selling even a small number of exceptional breeders each month, you can significantly increase your profitability compared to meat sales alone.
Key Features & Performance Benefits:
Resilient Health: A robust immune system, ensuring a hardier, low-maintenance herd.
Superior Maternal Instincts: They exhibit strong nesting behaviors and exceptional milking ability, resulting in heavier, healthier kits at weaning.
Rapid Growth Rates: Engineered for efficiency they reach fryer weight faster, maximizing your turnover and reducing time to market.
Optimized Feed Conversion: Tracking and retaining bloodlines with the best feed efficiency, meaning you spend less on feed for every pound of weight gained.
Premium Carcass Quality: They possess the ideal physical characteristics required to produce high-yield, top-tier meat products.
Premium Soil Enhancer
Rabbit manure is a "gold mine" for gardeners and organic farmers alike. Often referred to as "cold manure,"it is one of the few fertilizers that can be applied directly to plants without the need for composting first. It is highly efficient, easy to collect, and serves as a powerful soil amendment for any agricultural operation.
Why Choose Rabbit Manure?
Nutrient-Rich Profile: It is packed with higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than cow or horse manure, along with essential micronutrients.
Why is it not a common livestock like in Europe and other parts of the world?
A Heritage Of Rabbit Farming
Rabbit agriculture is an ancient practice dating back to 1000 B.C. with a documented history in America since 1840. During the Great Depression, rabbits were a lifeline for struggling families, providing a sustainable food source when income was scarce. This role expanded during WWII, as governments in both Europe and the U.S. encouraged rabbit farming along with other agricultural programs to combat meat shortages. Theas hardships led to the "poor man's meat" stereotype—later reinforced by popular cartoons with cute rabbits.
Market Realities of Rabbit Farming
Unlike traditional livestock, rabbit processing and distribution networks in the U.S. are less established. To succeed commercially, farmers must often take a proactive approach—researching local niche markets, developing their own sales channels, and educating consumers on the exceptional health benefits and the excellent flavor of rabbit meat.
Contact
Isaiah Douglas
+1 951 348 5958
idouglas@arkhopperministries.org
