Keep Calm and Farm On

[8/6 Update: The Planning Commission has now completed 5 study sessions on this issue and has scheduled a public hearing on August 19th September 16th at 6:00pm (the meeting was pushed back) after which they will vote on whether to approve the amendment and send it on to mayor and council. If you want to support more urban agriculture in Tucson, please sign our petition and see the bottom section of this page for more ways to help.]  You may have heard that the City of Tucson is considering changes to the zoning code that would make it easier to practice urban agriculture. That means things like allowing people to raise more (and different kinds of) animals, making it easier to have a market or a community garden, and even just clarifying that you CAN grow food in your yard...  Exciting, right?Unfortunately, not everyone thinks so.  In a recent public meeting, one such resident spelled our her nightmare scenario, in which "Sustainable Sam" moves in next door and begins growing vegetables in his front yard, raising miniature goats in the back, and keeping rabbits indoors.  Unfortunately, this resident (and 1-2 more) have become a vocal (and persuasive!) minority strongly influencing the debate.We'd like to suggest that Sustainable Sam would actually be a very good neighbor, and might even share his food!  We created a calm hen graphic (above), but as cute as she is, she may not change the hearts and minds of the current opponents.But you can help!  How?  By doing these things:

1. Take a minute to SIGN our online petition and we'll deliver it to both the Planning Commission and City Council.
2. Encourage our Planning Commissioners to approve the urban ag amendments.  You can download our letter of support and send it in to this physical address or email address.
3. Attend the Public Hearing on Aug. 19th September 16th at 6:00pm in the mayor and council chambers and support with your presence, by wearing a "Keep Calm Chicken Button" (we'll provide them!!!), or by making a statement.  (To best support the amendments, in 3 minutes or less use any of the talking points from the above letter of support, or tell a personal story about how urban agriculture has positively affected you, a neighbor, or your neighborhood.)
4. Join the Tucson CLUCKS Facebook page to link up with other like-minded people, browse their resource links, and geek out on urban agriculture.
5. Share this post with as many people as you can (Facebook, twitter, email)