Added a beehive to the South Lawn of the White House
The White House added miniature beehives to the south lawn to promote honey production and pollination.
The White House isn’t the only official residence with new animals added.
Months after the first family unveiled a beehive shaped like a miniature presidential mansion, the second family installed a chicken coop at the Naval Observatory, the official home of the vice president.
The custom-made in America structure was designed to match the architectural elements of a Victorian mansion, according to Vice President J.D. Vance’s office. The cabins were built at no additional cost to taxpayers, according to people familiar with the project.
The vice president has joked in the past about children’s egg consumption. On the 2024 campaign trail, Vance said his two young sons “eat about 14 eggs every morning,” talking about the soaring egg prices he blamed on then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Carolina Coops, a small, family-owned business, designed the co-op as the Vice President’s residence. According to the company’s website, founders Matt and Gounon Dubois started the company in 2008 as a personal quest for fresh eggs, but “quickly turned into a passion for building sheds that were as functional as they were beautiful.”
Here’s what you need to know about the Naval Observatory’s new chicken coop.
“True American Dream Moment”
Matt Dubois called the design of the chicken coop for the Naval Observatory project “one of the most memorable milestones of his career.”
“As a small business owner, this is a true ‘American Dream’ moment for me and my family,” he said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and am excited to continue sharing the benefits and joy of raising chickens with people across the country, and how having a chicken coop can benefit families and teach children valuable life lessons.”
Matt Dubois added that “this project is more than just a chicken coop” and “reflects the dedication of our entire team and the values that have guided us from the beginning.”
The Naval Observatory’s new facility debuted at the annual “Camp VPR” event. Local 4-H students worked with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to teach participating children about co-ops.
The 19th-century white house in Number One Observatory Circle on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) was originally built in 1893 to house the USNO observer. In the past, vice presidents lived at home due to the high cost of securing a private residence, but in 1974 Congress agreed to allow vice presidents to use the Naval Observatory House as their home.
Over the years, several vice presidents have left their mark here. Joe Biden added heritage gardens. Mike Pence’s wife Karen Pence added a beehive. And Kamala Harris updated her mansion’s library with pink wallpaper.
How many chickens does JD Vance have in his coop?
Vance has about 12 chicks in his coop, according to a person familiar with the new additions.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
