The economy is bringing out the inner farmers of many city dwellers. In fact, there is a growing trend for urban families to raise their own chickens. In addition to producing eggs and meat, chickens might also help to control bugs and dispose of food scraps. Dozens of cities allow residents to raise chickens, including New York, Chicago, Miami, Denver, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles. If you aren’t sure if backyard chicken keeping is legal where you live, check out your local laws at UrbanChickens.org.
If you are like me and can’t raise chickens of your own (it would be a dog vs. chicken fiasco!) check out LocalHarvest.org to find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area.