Local food in a city is typically a bundle of carrots at the downtown farmers market, basil from a balcony herb garden or eggs from a co-worker’s farm.
But some urban agriculture campaigns are encouraging Florida cities to increase the number of hens residents can own within city limits.
Gainesville is following that same trend. The city is considering a change in its development code to allow residents to house up to six hens on their property, said Jerry Brewington, senior planner for Alachua County.
Brewington said the change would apply to residents who live on less than one acre of land. Residents who live on larger properties, however, won’t be limited on how many chickens they can house.
Laura Lavid, community food project coordinator for Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, said the code change can be beneficial for residents, especially those who harvest chicken eggs for consumption.
“It’s one way to provide your own food, which is great in this economy,” she said.
But this new code concerns some residents. Neighbors in proximity of residents with backyard hens worry about noise, odors and the deterioration of property, Brewington said.
Wade Rogers, owner of Alachua County Feed and Seed, has six hens on his property.
The 35-year-old Fort White, Fla., resident said he supports the code change from a business perspective.
“My family owns two stores. So businesswise, this change helps me a lot,” he said.
