See How Urban Hens Really Live! Feathers and Fiber Coop Tour!

Feathers and Fiber Coop Tour

 Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Drive, will be the starting point for the first annual Feathers and Fiber Coop Tour on September 24th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The event will be a benefit for the Roeland Park Food Pantry.  Admission will be one non perishable food item per person.  Maps will be given out at the Community Center to guide you to the coops on display.

 This event is co-sponsored by City Hens In Roeland Park (CHIRP) and the Kansas City Fiber Guild and supported by the Johnson County 4-H.  It will feature Roeland Park Coops and the hens that call them home.  There will be children’s activities including a coloring contest, the creation of a Funky Chicken Mural and an opportunity to learn about Johnson County 4-H.

 The Kansas City Fiber Guild will be knitting with GIANT knitting needles and the public will be invited to participate.  This will be a Public Art Project that may be displayed in Roeland Park.

 We will also be celebrating “Spin in Public Day” with spinning demonstrations and lessons at individual coops.  Wool and spindles will be provided.  There will also be a display of handspun yarns incorporating chicken and peacock feathers.

 Don’t forget your food donation to benefit the Roeland Park Food Pantry.  Come play and learn with us. 

Contact: Teresa Kelly      chirpks@gmail.com

CHIRP 

What's all the CHIRPin' about?  We have joined the other 65% of the major cities in the U.S. that welcome backyard hens as part of a sustainable lifestyle!

 www.chirpks.blogspot.com and City Hens in Roeland Park is on Facebook!

Missouri has set up the nation's FIRST committee on URBAN AGRICULTURE!!

From Cultivate Kansas City...

The state of Missouri has set up the nation’s first ever Committee on Urban Agriculture.  The committee - five Senators and five Representatives - are charged with learning about urban agriculture and developing and recommending policies to help the state benefit from the unique contributions of urban agriculture and local food systems.

The Committee will be in Kansas City to hold a PUBLIC HEARING on URBAN AGRICULTURE. 

When: MONDAY, JULY 11, 5:30 PM
Where: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Pierson Auditorium
           5000 Rockhill Road, Kansas City

The legislators on the committee are, by and large, new to the reality and potential of:
Urban food production (home gardens, community gardens, urban farms)
Food distribution in urban communities (how does food get from the farm to the plate?
Food access (who can afford food, who can get to it easily and not so easily)
This hearing is their first step in learning about these issues and in beginning to think about how, as legislators, they might make urban agriculture a vital, thriving contributor to the health and well-being of Missouri’s residents.

YOU DON’T NEED TO TESTIFY TO ATTEND!  We want to show them how many people care about food and food production in urban communities.  It will be a unique opportunity to begin to shape the future of urban ag in Missouri. Join us this Monday!

First Permit DELAYED...back to Admin!

	The first permit for keeping backyard hens in Roeland Park was met with a delay based on procedural issues.   More discussion:  Admin Meeting Monday, March 28 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location	Roeland Park City Hall
Created By	City Hens In Roeland Park
More Info	The procedure for the first step in the Permit process is up for clarification. The first permit came before council before Staff received receipt of all of the neighbor notification letters. Timeframe for neighbor response will be discussed. As well as more clarification on procedure. Please join us if you can. And remember, always check the City of Roeland Park website for updates in time, etc. The agenda and packet should be on the City of Roeland Park website late Thursday afternoon.

5-3 Yes to Hen Keeping in Roeland Park

December 6, 2010 Council Result

We verified the action taken at Monday night's Council Meeting with the City Staff:

The council approved allowing Residents to keep chickens in Roeland Park; motion carried, 5-3.

The council tabled the motion to allow staff to work with the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to be approved by the council. Motion carried, 8-0.

 The Administrative Committee will discuss the proposed draft special permit on December 14th at 6 pm

This begins the next phase, the actual drafting of the special permit from the draft brought to the Council Meeting.  We are so grateful to the City Leaders who have given us this opportunity.

The next step is addressing the issues that have been at the crux of the opposition.  Some valid concerns have been brought forth and we will do our best to provide case studies and other research based solutions to those concerns.

Look for those issues to be posted here...and thank all of you for your support!

CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 6, 7 PM ROELAND PARK CITY HALL

PLEASE JOIN US TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.  IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH AN ORDINANCE TO LEGALIZE CITY HENS IN ROELAND PARK.  IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT A LETTER TO YOUR WARD REPRESENTATIVES, PLEASE CONSIDER DOING SO.  THEIR EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE ON THE ROELAND PARK WEBSITE OR IN THE SIDE BAR OF THIS SITE.

THANK YOU!

Urban Hen Video Stories...

Young and old alike benefit from urban hens... This day care and the assisted living community benefit from the education and experience of being around hens.

Austin Texas likes urban hens!  Home of the Funky Chicken Coop Tour.

Urban Chickens in Portland Mayor believes it is part of his city's way of endorsing sustainability.

Urban Chickens in San Diego Girl moves from country to city and raises hens!

Chicken Evolution

Have you wondered how to reach your city officials? We are posting the email addresses for handy reference.

Action is at hand...come to the meeting on Thursday, October 21 to get your collateral information to support the efforts to get this ordinance done!

Many other communities have offered support and have asked for help. 

Part of what our purpose is to provide informationa and resources for those wanting to keep hens.
Here is another link into the "evolutionary" community:    

 A Chicken Evolution