Urban Gardening Is Taking Off in North America but nowhere more than on the west coast. California, Oregon, Washington and B.C. have always been leaders in new trends so it should be no surprise that a bylaw approving urban backyard goats has been approved in major cities in all three American states. The City of Vancouver has been leading the way in our province by supporting downtown gardening ventures. Vancouver’s council members may soon be facing a recommendation for zoning changes to allow goats to reside within their city’s boundary. For some, owning a Pygmy or a Nigerian dwarf goat is purely about companionship of an intelligent, affectionate animal that grows no bigger than a Labrador retriever and is funny, full of antics and keeps the landscape tidy, according to an article in the City Farmer Newsletter . In Seattle city council voted unanimously to allow each home three goats under 100 pounds each. The council’s action resulted from a spirited campaign by the city’s Goat Justice League with the motto “I’m pro goat and I vote”. League founder Jennie Grant says many people are drawn to goat owning by the back to the land movement that disdains milk and meat from large factory farms. Could Campbell River’s city council consider such a bylaw? Why not? There is a refreshing new breed of staffers gradually filling positions at city hall who are totally in touch with the massive changes sweeping North America. They grasp the importance of urban agriculture and its vital contribution to environmental sustainability, food security and economic prosperity in our urban lives. Later this year we can expect work to begin on a new Official Community Plan. There will be town hall type meetings where we can bring our ideas and visions for community forward. We need to form an umbrella organization that advocates and negotiates for land access, community gardens and favourable city bylaws. The time has come to speak out effectively for goats and chickens and “cabbages and kings”.
Speaking of people who are taking effective action on changing our food procurement habits, Connie Kretz has returned to Campbell River after many years spent in Taiwan. During those six years in Asia she worked as a copy editor for an English language paper. When not checking out stories Connie dreamed about returning to the farm which her grand father Tom Hudson developed so many decades ago. “My parents Diana and Jim built their home on the farm property and I was raised with cows, sheep, hay fields and raspberries so the idea of establishing a market garden just evolved naturally. I saw that the community was becoming aware of the value of locally grown food and that gave me the courage to convert my dream into an action plan”. This past summer she had produced enough vegetable products to stock a booth at the Pier Street Market. It was a successful first venture which included selling produce at the farm gate as well. She is now considering other ways in which to connect with residents who are committed to locally grown food. One of her innovative ideas is to develop a cadre of customers who agree to a weekly delivery of seasonal vegetables from her farm. She says the idea makes sense in reducing the commercial footprint. So rather than have several dozen customers driving to the farm she will deliver to their door. To support Connie in her new venture, Coastal Roots Vegetables, give her a call at 250 204 4598.
