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!

Committee approves the changes! On to KCMO City Council

The proposed changes were approved at the June 29 Committee meeting.  Residents supporting the keeping of backyard hens have to know how important it is to rally support and make your voice heard to your City Council members in KCMO.  Please consider sending a letter and make sure you include your name and address so they are assured you are one of their constituants. Don't know your Council members? Follow this link:

http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/CityOfficials/CityCouncilOffice/index.htm


Here is a link to the Ordinance:

KCMO Ordinance 110479


This is a study compiled by Hugh Bartling at DePaul University in 2010:

http://www.eatwhereulive.com/chicken_ordinance_report.pdf

You can email us for more information.

Kansas City, MO Backyard Chicken Ordinance - TODAY- Public Hearing June 29, 10:30am, 26th Floor, City Hall

On the heels of Roeland Park's successful Backyard Hen special permit, KCMO is looking at a change to allow more citizens to participate in having backyard chickens. Six families in Roeland Park have backyard hens and CHIRP's journey is featured in July/August Greenability Magazine.  For those interested in supporting this important issue, please consider attending the hearing.  Many supporters backed CHIRP all along the way, some never intending on having backyard hens, but believing those who wanted to should have the opportunity.

Thank You!  It is our supporters that make all of our work successful!  Here are the details:

The Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee of the Kansas City, MO City Council will hear a proposed change to the city ordinance which regulates chickens in city limits.  The proposal would allow the Director of Neighborhood and Community Services to grant exceptions to the set-back requirements and number limits when occupants and owners of properties within the 100 foot set-back approve of the exception in writing.
 
 Read the ordinance online.
 
 This proposed change would protect the interests of adjacent neighbors and allow for responsible urban chicken-keeping.  It is an expansion of an existing process for exceptions that includes homing and racing pigeons, which has apparently worked well for the city for quite some time.  We encourage you to attend and offer support and encouragement to the Committee in considering this proposal.
 
When: Wednesday, June 29, 10:30am
Where: 26th Floor, City Hall, 414 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64106
 
 If you are interested in urban chickens, you will find a great resource in CHIRP, they offer educational and networking opportunities for people interested in backyard chickens: chirpks@gmail.com or www.chirpks.blogspot.com.

FIRST PERMIT APPROVED FOR BACKYARD HENS in ROELAND PARK!!

What's all the CHIRP'in about?  Backyard Hens in Roeland Park!

18 months after a citizen had her backyard flock banished from her residence, the first official Backyard Chicken-Keeping Special Permit was issued in Roeland Park, KS.  For the last eleven months a group of dedicated citizens have attended countless City Council and City Admin meetings to support the draft and eventual approval of the special permit process for keeping backyard hens.

Since the Council approved the addition of the special permit in February, several citizens have started the permit process.  The $100.00 permit comes with strict guidelines for setbacks, coop design and chicken run size limits. Residents are only allowed to keep up to 6 hens and are required to have predator proof coops and feed storage. Manure is to be composted according to city composting ordinances.

CHIRP is already planning a coop tour in the fall of 2011 and will be sponsoring an information forum to address any questions residents have regarding keeping a micro-flock of hens for eggs and fun. On June 23, CHIRP is conducting a hen-keeping class at the Roeland Park Community Center as part of the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture Farm Tour-Get Your Grow On.  Look for CHIRP to support Johnson County K-State Extension 4-H programming for the youth in our community.

If you have any questions or want to get involved, please email chirpks@gmail.com.

And a big THANK YOU to all our supporters!  We could not have done this without YOU!

City Council Meeting April 4: Hen Permit

Time	Monday, April 4 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location	Roeland Park City Hall
Created By	City Hens In Roeland Park, Teresa Kelly
More Info	Here is the link to the agenda: http://www.roelandpark.net/citygov/minutes/2011/packet/04-04-2011%20packet.pdf

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.

What are we crowing about now?

Look what's on the agenda again! Let's see a 5-3 vote, permit in place...what could we be crowing about now?
March 7, 2011
6:00 PM Council Workshop - City Hall Discussion/Chicken Ordinance Discussion
7:00 PM City Council Meeting

Join us to see!