Can you raise chickens in Skokie? What about bee hives for honey?

The idea of urban farming or raising small farm animals on residential property is a topic of growing interest.  It requires balancing individual interest in urban animal farming with health and safety considerations as well as.  As of right now, Skokie residents cannot raise chickens or other farm animals.  Some communities have experimented on a restricted basis, but Skokie is not considering it at this time.  There are no local laws that specifically pertaining to bees.  The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) simply requires that people who have bee colonies to register them with the IDA.  Here is a link to their website with more information.  IDA Bees Page

There are, however, many urban farming options available throughout Chicago.  Growing Power's Chicago Projects Office manages resource development and provides technical assistance needed to assist emerging community food centers and urban and small farm projects in the metropolitan Chicago area.  They have a market basket program and farmers markets which are open from May to December.  Visit their site.

There is also a project called, “The Plant”.  Watch this video which explains more about the project, which is a mix of greenhouses, aquaponic vertical farms, small food businesses, breweries and light manufacturers.  The Plant, which received a $1.5 million grant last year, should be finished by 2016.  Visit their site.

Food Day 2012 is this week on Wednesday, October 24^th, at Depaul University.  There will be several food advocacy and policy-related organizations there.  Click here to learn more details.

Each week we have a blog post and/or video where one or more representatives from our slate reaches out to a local business and resident to answer some of their questions.  If you have a question or want us to come to your business, click the link below.

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