Meat buying clubs in the Willamette Valley

Buying clubs are an effective way for ranchers to sell meat products directly to customers who don't live near the farm. Customers typically place orders via email and pick up their products at a designated time and location. Buying clubs usually operate year 'round.

Spring Gardening Guide for the Willamette Valley

Spring is just around the corner, which means it's time to start planning your garden!

This year's gardening guide features several businesses that offer garden-related services in the Willamette Valley. Many of these businesses also have extensive knowledge about raising chickens, beekeeping, rainwater harvesting, etc. Their advice can be very helpful as you take your garden to the next level.

Salem City Council to revisit chicken ordinance

Based on a positive report from Salem's Code Compliance Office, Barbara Palermo and her group, Chickens In The Yard, hope to get Salem's chicken ordinance modified.

Chickens In The Yard successfully pushed for legalization in late 2010. Since then, they've worked on behalf of urban chickens and pro-chicken residents, organizing a backyard coop tour and providing educational opportunities for chicken owners in the area.

At the next Salem City Council Meeting on January 23rd, Councilor Chuck Bennett will make a motion to modify the chicken ordinance. The proposed modifications aim to: reduce the cost of the chicken license; reduce the number of inspections; increase the number of hens allowed; and allow chickens at churches, schools, and community gardens; among other changes.

Supporters are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Salem City Council
555 Liberty St. SE, Room 240
Monday, January 23rd 6:30pm

Chickens In The Yard proposes changes to Salem's ordinance

by Nate Rafn

Chickens In The Yard (CITY) announced in their newsletter today that they are proposing changes to Salem's existing chicken ordinance.

According to a report from the Community Development Department, fifty applications were received by the City of Salem for chicken coop licensing since the ordinance went into effect on October 27th, 2010. Re-inspection issues have been minimal and code violation cases were less than what Compliance Services had responded to prior to the adoption of the chicken ordinance. All ten of the violation cases were easily resolved.

Because the chicken ordinance has not created a code enforcement problem or financial burden for Salem, CITY is asking for six changes to the ordinance. They want to eliminate inspections, reduce the license fee, and increase the number of hens allowed, among other changes.

The proposal is currently being reviewed, and there may be another city council meeting to hash things out. Visit www.salemchickens.com to stay up to date on this issue.

Rally against Monsanto planned in Salem on March 26th

by Nate Rafn

The "Millions Against Monsanto" rally is a nation-wide event scheduled for Saturday, March 26th. A central rally will occur on The White House Sidewalk in Washington DC, with several simultaneous demonstrations across the country. Rallies are planned for Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Atlanta, among other major cities.

Monsanto is a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation based in the United States. Monsanto is the creator of the herbicide Roundup; co-creator of Agent Orange; creator of synthetic bovine growth hormone rBST; and is the world's leading producer of genetically engineered seeds. Monsanto's disturbing track record has made them controversial throughout the world.

Salem's blogging community tackles Super Bowl Sunday

Salemites.com will see a spike in traffic on Super Bowl Sunday. The Salem-based web ring is planning a "Super Blog Sunday" on February 6th 2011, featuring new posts from dozens of local websites.

For the Living Culture Blog, we plan on sharing Super Bowl themed recipes for snacks and appetizers.

Salemites.com features an up-to-the-minute feed from blogs that cover a wide variety of interests, including food, photography, family life, sports, cycling, local government, etc. A few blogs we recommend looking at are Desperately Seeking Salem, Eat Salem, Sally and Her Teacakes, and Savor The Taste of Oregon.

Visit Salemites.com for Super Blog Sunday!

Urban chicken movement takes shape in Salem

Resources for Raising Chickens

Chickens In The Yard
Services: classes, advice, resources, organizing chicken-related events in Salem

Old Mill Feed & Garden
503-831-1222
1313 Main St, Dallas OR 97338
Products and Services: chicken coops, feed, chicks, knowledgable staff

The Chick Inn
503-917-9968
14580 Airlie Rd. Monmouth, OR
Products and Services: rare breeds of chickens, feed, chicken coops and tractors, good advice

Urban Farm Store
503-234-7733
2100 SE Belmont St, Portland OR
Products and Services: classes, chicks, feed, coops

McK Ranch lauches Salem area buying club.

David and Bettie McKibben, owners of McK Ranch, announced yesterday that they are starting a buying club, offering grass-fed, drug-free beef, lamb, chicken, and fresh eggs to customers in the Salem area.

To sign-up, visit the McK Ranch website and submit your contact information. The McKibbens will send out an email to inform you of all the details, including products, how to place your order, drop-off location, payment, etc. Once you sign-up, there is no obligation or minimum order. You can request products as you need them. It's very flexible. The drop-off site will be in Keizer, starting October 18th at 6 PM.

For more information about McK Ranch, please see their interview on Living Culture TV.

Bettie & David McKibben.

Salem to allow chickens starting January 1st, 2011.

The chicken ordinance passed a final vote last night at Salem City Hall, making hens legal starting January 1st of next year. A license and inspection will be required of all those who want to keep chickens in their backyards.

The Statesman Journal printed an article summarizing last night's counsel meeting.

My Thoughts

This is great news. Incorporating chickens into our home gardens will help launch Salem into an urban agricultural renaissance. Granted, it won't happen overnight. It will take lots of hard work and education. Thankfully, Chickens In The Yard is planning to organize classes and events to help teach those who are interested in raising chickens.

What do Living Culture viewers think about chickens in Salem?

The poll results are in.

Last week we asked viewers what they thought about Salem's chicken ordinance. The polls were open for 5 days, and 100 votes were cast. Here are the results.




Q: Should Salem allow chickens?
yes 89%
no 5%
voters should decide 5%

Q: Do you plan to keep chickens?
maybe 31%
yes 28%
no 28%
already do 14%

Q: Where do you live?
Salem/Mid-Valley 83%
Portland Metro 10%
Other 7%

I was a little surprised by the fact that 89% of respondents believe chickens should be legal, yet 28% don't plan to raise chickens, and 31% are undecided.

Final vote tonight for chicken ordinance in Salem.

Counsel Chambers at Salem City Hall.

Last Monday, Salem City Counsel voted 7-2 to pass Ordinance Bill 19-10 (with amendments included), moving it to a second reading and final vote tonight. If the bill passes, chickens will be legal in Salem 30 days from now. From there, chicken owners must register with the city, pass an inspection, and pay for a license.

Although Chickens In The Yard expects the bill to pass, supporters are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.

Salem City Hall
Counsel Chambers Room 240
555 Liberty St. NE downtown Salem
September 27th, 6:30 PM

A victory for Chickens In The Yard.

Fresh eggs, coming soon to a neighborhood near you!

by Nate Rafn
September 21st, 2010

Salem is so close to having chickens, I can almost taste it!

Last night Salem City Council held a public hearing and a vote on Ordinance Bill 19-10, the document that governs the keeping of chickens within Salem city limits. Fourteen Salemites testified in favor of the ordinance, while two spoke in opposition. The crowd at City Hall was substantial, with Chickens In The Yard (CITY) supporters filling most of the seats.

After spirited testimony, the councilors were given a chance to amend the language of the ordinance. The original reading states that anyone in violation of the new ordinance (keeping a rooster, failing to obtain license, etc.) would be charged with a misdemeanor! This outrageous component of the ordinance was swiftly replaced with a lesser violation by City Council. Minor changes were also made to the section about licensing and inspection fees. Councilor Cannon proposed a practical change that would allow chickens to leave the confines of their coop, if kept under the watchful eye of the owner.

Barbara Palermo, of CITY, speaks to City Council.

Lisa Clarke-Burnell, of Neighborhood Harvest, speaks in support of chickens.

With amendments in place, the counsel voted.

Yes Votes

Bennet, Ward 1
Tesler, Ward 2
Nanke, Ward 3
Sullivan, Ward 4
Dickey, Ward 5
Clem, Ward 8
Taylor, Mayor

No Votes

Rogers, Ward 6
Cannon, Ward 7

Councilors Rogers (left) and Cannon (right) listen to testimony.

I was surprised by two things. First, Councilor Dan Clem has been one of the most stubborn opponents of this bill. He claims that his constituents in West Salem are overwhelmingly against chickens. But according to Barbara Palermo of CITY, public record shows that Clem has received far more emails in favor of chickens. Clem shocked many people last night when he changed his mind at the last moment. He said, after hearing the testimony that evening, that he was willing to put trust in the residents of Salem and give this bill a chance.

Another odd moment was when Councilor Cannon gave his reasons for voting no. He said that he believes in protecting property rights, and doesn't care whether Salem allows chickens or not. But he voted no because, according to Cannon, the bill was too restrictive and too complicated. I'm not sure what his rational was for this decision. It may be some deep-seated issue of principal. But if we have no ordinance at all, that is far more restrictive than passing an ordinance that has a few rules attached. It didn't make sense to me.

Council Chambers at Salem City Hall.

What Happens Now

As I understand it, the amendments to the ordinance will be added by city staff, and a final reading will occur sometime next month. Council will vote on the final bill at that time.

For more information about Chickens In The Yard, visit their website at www.salemchickens.com.

Upcoming Salem City Counsel meeting to hold vote on chickens.

White Leghorn hen.

by Nate Rafn
September 18th, 2010

This Monday, September 20th at 7:30 PM, Salem City Counsel will vote on a chicken ordinance.

Chickens In The Yard (CITY), Salem's urban chicken advocacy group, has been battling with City Counsel since early 2009. The process has been slow, and a handful of counselors have been unwilling to work with CITY on getting an ordinance passed.

However, Barbara Palermo, top organizer with CITY is confident she has enough votes to move forward.

My Thoughts

Allowing residents in urban areas to keep chickens is essential. As we collectively move towards a more sustainable future, gardening and small scale animal husbandry will play a big part in shaping our community. I believe that incorporating chickens into our gardens and edible landscapes will strengthen neighborhoods, deter crime, improve home values, reduce polution, cut food costs, and make our communities more self-sufficient.

I strongly encourage anyone who supports our right to keep a few backyard hens to join me at Salem City Hall on Monday night. This is our chance to show the City of Salem that after nearly two years of debate, our enthusiasm for this ordinance has not been diminished.

Salem City Hall

Council Chambers Room 240

555 Liberty St NE Salem

Monday, September 20th, 7:30 PM

Interview with Salem-based rock band, Root Villa