The hawk can be described as majestic. The swan, graceful. The egret, elegant. But the emu…Well, let’s say the best word to describe this winged but flightless creature is prehistoric. "Awkward" or "ugly" just might offend Kansas emu farmer Mike Martin.

The emu’s long, gangly knees appear to bend backward. They have enough power in their sharp claws to disembowel an enemy. They like to hang out in the mud. They look weird even when they’re resting.

These wily birds grow to six feet tall and weigh 130 pounds. Spend some time at the 4D Acres Emu Farm near Louisburg, Kansas and you have to wonder why a suburban couple would leave their jobs, move to the country, and raise emus.

Mike Martin says he and his wife Dee aren’t old enough to retire and he loves the country life. In 1996 the Martins bought four emu chicks and their intention was to breed more for processing into emu meat. They may be hard on the eyes but some folks think they’re pretty tasty.

The Martins sell emu summer sausage, pot roast, and even pet treats to local customers. But not too long ago they learned something else about the emu. Specifically, emu fat. Refined into oil that fat becomes liquid gold.

Mike says it seems to have properties that aid in the healing of cuts, bruises, burns and bug bites. While there is no solid scientific proof, there are still plenty of believers. Along with other emu farmers across the country, the Martins now sell emu oil skincare products at about nine bucks for a one ounce bottle.

Along with skincare, Dee Martin turns the large dark green emptied emu eggs into artwork, painting them with intricate designs. The leg skins, hides, and feathers can be used for accents on clothing and other things. In other words, they use just about everything from the emu. And all of it sells thanks to a strong marketing and sales effort.

But before you can sell anything, you have to catch the emu. It usually takes both Mike and Dee since these creatures are quick, strong, and defend themselves with their large, sharp claws.

Emu farming has its appeal but isn’t it still a risky business? Mike says the early emu market collapsed around 1990 in part because the breeding of emus for meat (to take over the beef market) was for the birds. The big money now is in the oil and so far that’s feathering the Martins’ nest and makes good business sense.

Additional information:
For more information about the 4D Acres Emu Farm, go to
www.4dacres.com

The state of Kansas is ground zero for agri-tourism. Along with the 4D Acres Emu Farm, the town of Louisburg welcomes visitors to its popular fresh cider mill.

For a world of things to on the farm and beyond go to www.travelks.com

Emus top out at six feet tall and weigh between 125 and 140 pounds. Rheas are smaller and grow to five feet and no more than 100 pounds. But the ostrich (the tallest bird in the world) grows to seven or eight feet and can weigh up to 400 pounds.

The USDA points out that emus have become the most popular ratite raised in the United States with one million birds grown in at least 43 states by about 10,000 families (3,000 are in Texas).

Ratites are poultry but their flesh is more similar in appearance and taste to beef. Hence, they’re classified as “red” meat. The meat is low in fat and benefits from the addition of herbs, spices, and other flavoring agents when cooking.