Monmouth-Independence Chicken Revolution works to legalize backyard hens

www.michickenrevolution.com
www.agwestsupply.com
www.oldmillfeed.com

Episode 78 - Living Culture

1 DVD:$15.00 USD 2 DVDs:$25.00 USD 3 DVDs:$30.00 USD 4 DVDs:$35.00 USD

Pepsi and Senomyx using human embryonic tissue to evaluate flavorings

We just recently learned of reports that Pepsi has been using human fetal tissue to test chemical flavorings in their soft drinks. Pretty disturbing stuff. This is yet another reason to eat locally and naturally, and know your farmer! It's increasingly clear that products from major industrial food companies cannot be trusted.

Natural News has the story:

"The Obama Administration has given its blessing to PepsiCo to continue utilizing the services of a company that produces flavor chemicals for the beverage giant using aborted human fetal tissue. LifeSiteNews.com reports that the Obama Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided that PepsiCo's arrangement with San Diego, Cal.-based Senomyx, which produces flavor enhancing chemicals for Pepsi using human embryonic kidney tissue, simply constitutes "ordinary business operations." [Read More]

Monmouth & Independence Chicken Revolution to host Gretchen Anderson at Independence library

In the spring of 2011, Domenica Protheroe, Malinda Bermudez and Sue Barker formed the Monmouth & Independence Chicken Revolution to legalize backyard chicken-keeping in Monmouth and Independence. According to Protheroe, chickens were legal in Monmouth until 2008.

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

Peru’s Congress approves 10-year prohibition on GMOs

According to Capital FM News, Peru's Congress recently approved a 10-year ban on imports of genetically modified organisms in order to protect the country’s biodiversity. [Read More]

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.

Wisconsin judge rules no right to own a cow or drink its milk

by Nate Rafn

In a decision denying basic property rights and freedom of choice, a Wisconsin judge has issued an order stating that owners of cows do not have a fundamental right to consume the cow's milk.

Pete Kennedy, of the Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, reports that Dane County Circuit Court Judge Patrick J. Fiedler has drawn public outrage with his holding that government has the power to regulate our activities in raising our own food and livestock. [Read More]

It's more important than ever to protect our fundamental right to obtain foods of our choice. Two organizations I recommend following are A Campaign For Real Milk and the Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. They both work on behalf of farmers and consumers to protect constitutional rights in growing, selling, and purchasing foods directly from farms.

Chickens finally legal in Keizer

by Nate Rafn

We received word today that chickens are now legal in Keizer, Oregon.

"The day is finally here," said Scott Mack, who requested that the city allow chickens. "After two and a half years, we can legally have chickens in Keizer."

A 15-year Keizer resident, Scott Mack embarked on the campaign in February 2009.

A chicken permit application is available on the City of Keizer website, www.keizer.org.

Michigan woman faces jail time for planting a vegetable garden in her front yard

Can you imagine going to jail for planting a vegetable garden? Julie Bass of Oak Park, Michigan is facing 93 days in jail for doing just that--- installing a small, attractive vegetable garden in her front yard.

WXYZ television in Detroit reported on this story last week:

Visit Julie's blog at www.oakparkhatesveggies.wordpress.com.

Safety of seafood after Japanese nuclear disaster

by Nate Rafn

The EPA, FDA, and NOAA recently released a report about seafood safety in relation to the nuclear disaster in Japan. I was alerted to this report by the owners of Fitts Seafoods, who provided a link to readers of their newsletter. It's an interesting read:

USDA replaces Food Pyramid with Plate

by Nate Rafn

The USDA recently unveiled their replacement for the outdated Food Pyramid. On Thursday, June 2nd, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, first lady Michelle Obama, and Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin announced the new plate icon at a press conference. The USDA has also created a new website, www.choosemyplate.gov, designed to help Americans make better food choices.

Scio Poultry Processing gives up USDA Grant of Inspection

 by Nate Rafn

Until recently, Scio Poultry Processing was one of only two United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected poultry plants in Oregon that served other growers. The other is Dayton Meats, which primarily processes red meat. Most of the poultry processed at Dayton Meats is used for products manufactured by Pacific Foods, the parent company.

Keizer may follow Salem in legalizing chickens

by Nate Rafn

Supporters of chickens in Keizer will have an opportunity to give public testimony at Keizer's Planning Commission meeting on May 11th.

A handful of residents have lobbied for legalization of backyard chickens for just over two years. 15-year Keizer resident, Scott Mack, started the process in February 2009.

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

Congress passes huge food-safety bill

Posted by Nate Rafn

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act was passed by Congress last week. The new law gives the FDA and other government agencies authority to perform inspections of agricultural facilities, issue food recalls, and inspect safety records of farms and  food processors.

According to U.S. Recall News, each of Oregon's five representatives in Congress voted in favor- David Wu (D), Greg Walden (R), Earl Blumenauer (D), Peter DeFazio (D), Kurt Schrader (D).

For a summary of this law and its far-reaching implications, read this article by Dr. Susan Berry.

"Amidst the hustle and bustle of the “lame duck” Congress, another law was passed that didn’t quite get the same media coverage as the Bush tax extension “package,” the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and the new START treaty. The Food Safety Modernization Act was not steeped in the same level of popular controversy as these other pieces of legislation. Nevertheless, its passage may affect our daily lives even more than these, and in a rather stealth manner." [Read More]

To learn more about the possible impact on farmers in Oregon, read my article for Salem Weekly.

"Critics of Senate Bill 510 (S.510), the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, believe new regulations will put small farms out of business." [Read More]

New federal legislation could burden local farmers

by Nate Rafn | Salem Weekly

Critics of Senate Bill 510 (S.510), the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, believe new regulations will put small farms out of business.

S.510 was introduced in March, 2009, by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). Since then, twenty-one Senators have signed-on as co-sponsors.

After a series committee hearings, motions, and proposed amendments, the U.S. Senate passed the bill on November 30th, 2010, with a Yea-Nay vote of 73-25. Oregon's Democratic Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, each voted in favor.

Are GM foods killing us?

Mercola.com posted a great article today about the dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods. They cite numerous studies that raise serious questions about GM food safety, plus they discuss possible solutions and an action plan for getting GM foods banned in the United States. Here's a link to the article:

This Supermarket "Health Food" Killed These Baby Rats in Three Weeks
mercola.com, October 2010

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.

Will Newman of Oregon Sustainable Agriculture Land Trust talks about farming