Food Studies Matter, Meaning, Movement Case Backyard Chickens, Johanna Wilkes

CASE BACKYARD CHICKENS JOHANNA WILKES MUNICIPAL POLICY AS PART OF LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS GOVERNANCE BACKYARD CHICKENS AND LAND FOR GROWING Wilkes ( her ) is a candidate at the School of International Affairs . Her dissertation research focuses on pathways of change within and between different scales of food governance . johanna has experience in food systems research and development . She lives and learn on the territory of the and . JOHANNA WILKES 609

Learning Outcomes After reading and discussing this text , students should be able to Describe the role of municipal policy in local food . Evaluate the engagement and of different actors in the policy development process . Explain how policies evolve over time . Recognize the importance of food systems and Indigenous . INTRODUCTION While issues of housing , transit , or waste collection can all be quite controversial , the debate on raising hens and growing food in urban spaces can really ruffle some feathers . Debates such as these are part of the public policy ecosystem . Public policy is , to use Thomas Dye definition from 1972 , anything a government chooses to do or not While personal policy ( the rules we use to guide our actions ) and organizational policy ( the rules and guiding principles of a company or group of people ) also sect with our everyday lives , the focus of this chapter will be the role of municipal governments in public Public policy across , regional , provincial , national , or come in many forms and is often . To learn more about the basics of policy , see What is Policy ?

Food Security for All . 2005 ) Section . Available at . 610 BACKYARD CHICKENS situated within a specific community or context as part of the larger structures of governments . It is important to acknowledge that municipal policy is a form of governance , as it is made for and by settler communities across the United States and Canada . This chapter highlights several projects that support the revitalization of and in food systems . MUNICIPAL POLICY IN FOOD SYSTEMS Local sites of governance , such as municipal governments , are becoming increasingly important for food systems policy formation . Municipal and regional governance offer one of the most intimate and grounded spaces for policy the gap between the structures that govern and the people who are affected . The following cases explore the role of municipal policy in food systems . To provide a more grounded view on the policy process , I focus specifically on two areas backyard chickens and land for growing . It is important to note that municipal food policy is much broader than just these two areas , encompassing issues from the number of food retail outlets in a community to the creation of pollinator habitats . While both cases presented are based in , Canada , links to other examples in the United States and Canada have been included to explore what is happening in other communities . Backyard Chickens Before beginning this section , take a few minutes to read and view article and archived video from the Canadian Broadcasting ration ( JOHANNA WILKES 611

In , Canada , the pilot project was launched in 2018 , but debate on the subject is far from new . The case of shows how policy evolves , rather than being a binary decision made at a discreet point in time . Advocacy , policy champions , and policy brokers may all play a role in the outcome of the policy development process . The saw a rise in concern from both community members and policy makers ( City Councillors ) about the negative impact chickens could have on the health and of residents . Noting odour , noise , and nuisance , the City Council supported the adoption of a bylaw banning the ownership of poultry . This decision shifted policy from a more approach towards an active restriction on ownership . While there were active participants on both sides of the debate , the blunt use of a restrictive policy instrument meant that chicken farmers who chose to keep their would be in lation of city rules . In the decades since , advocates have lobbied , researched , and educated communities about the benefits of chickens in an urban setting , as well as researched how to the earlier risks or nuisance concerns . Using cation tools , such as sample letters , education materials , social media and online forums , and petitions , advocates have to fight for of the previous policy decisions . In 2018 , these efforts were partially recognized with the introduction of a pilot program that would run in specific wards of the city . Coverage of the decision also notes . See The battle over backyard chickens that hatched in 19805 . Posted on May , 2019 ( filmed in 1983 ) Available at and The battle over backyard chickens that hatched in 19805 . Posted on May , 2019 ( filmed in 1983 ) Available at 612 BACKYARD CHICKENS

the importance of policy makers as advocates from within the governance . For , a set of city lors were supportive and championed the efforts of advocates at the municipal level . In addition , a broader coalition of and organized networks created a system of information sharing and advocacy . Urban urban farming more both a way to grow food in city settings and are activities that highlight the role of municipal governance in food sovereignty . In addition to the , policy at all scales can create enabling that allow for and decisions . Table The phases and processes in the evolution of policy Phase Processes Moving from a policy of doing nothing to a restrictive policy often evolves through advocacy . In the case of backyard chickens in , residents were concerned with the odour , noise , and nuisance that brought with them . Beginning in the 19805 , raising backyard chickens Went I . from being relatively unregulated to being banned through a bylaw adopted by City Council . Since then , the battle over whether or not chickens should be allowed within backyards has continued to evolve . of Restrictions While those in favour of backyard chickens have been engaged since before the 1980 bylaw , advocates formed a broader coalition including City Councillors , City Staff within the Food Policy Council , and food sovereignty leaders . Organized Advocates The renewed attention to the issue led to a City Council vote in support of a pilot project . This decision took into Nuanced Pilot account earlier concerns of odour , noise , and nuisance Programs during development and included elements such as a approach with a review and a clear definition of scope . pilot project will be reviewed at which time councillors will be able to make further decisions on the Policy Review program . The options could include extending the pilot , modifying the terms , or creating a more permanent program . 2020 . JOHANNA WILKES 613

City Lands , Bylaws , and Urban Growing Before beginning this section , take afew minutes to read this 2019 News article or watch the City of 2016 video about the Urban Farm . Urban food growing can occur on both private and public , given the right conditions and rules are in place at the municipal level . In Hamilton , policy makers and cates have been working to create an enabling environment for growing food in communities across the city . In this case , a key report was submitted to the City of Hamilton by the Urban Agriculture Working Group ( the Group ) that became the basis for change . The Group brought together members of housing , health , public works , and other departments to study how local food systems could be enabled across the municipality . By a wide range of recommendations , the Group was able to tackle the role of different policy tools across the municipal government . The Group used their report to outline the benefits of urban growing as well as the different changes necessary to create an enabling policy environment . These recommendations included using policy planning tools ( official plans and ing ) as well as other policy levers ( food strategies , land tory , and supportive policies and programs ) One of the largest success stories in the city has been Urban Farm . Building on the lands behind a former school , this Urban Farm grew from the efforts of community advocates , city officials , and local community members . In addition to land identification , the location of this project was tied to more challenges of food insecurity , including limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the community . Key to Urban Farm success is both access to land and support ( community , and knowledge ) By identifying a parcel of land that was ideal for the community vision , advocates 614 BACKYARD CHICKENS

worked with policy makers and policy brokers to identify the needs of communities and the requirements to realize the . While this project is symbolic of a shift towards an enabling framework for urban growing , the ideal conditions are by much more than this single project . Hamilton is now seen as an example of how to create urban growing that work for and are developed by communities . In 20165 , Hamilton City Council endorsed the Hamilton Food Strategy that outlines goals , recommendations , and actions that help support local food . Other examples of community advocacy and local action include those in Athens , Georgia , ver , Colorado , and , Nova Scotia . CONCLUSION In both cases above , nuance and advocacy were key in pushing for the consideration , expansion , or reconsideration of a desired policy . By acknowledging the past criticisms and looking towards municipalities that have adopted different policy approaches , advocates were able to work with city staff to table pilot projects or programs that were thoughtful of incorporating nuance . learning allowed for the cities of and Hamilton to look at other North American for policy options and how communities have responded to change . For municipal food policy , these different forms of learning can be important for policy processes and advocacy within movements . The role of communication , policy and advocates , and knowledge sharing sites played a key . For more on the municipal food policy history in Hamilton , see ( starting on ) See . JOHANNA WILKES 615

part in the development of the different policy components and helped source solutions . In addition , food policy more broadly , food policy translate and facilitate change by working with and within municipal governments . The councils provide a dedicated space where knowledge of food and policy systems merge . Local food policy is much older and deeper than governance of or by a municipality . Looking beyond these settler forms of local governance ( such as the municipal , state , or federal systems ) it is important to recognize the intimate relationship between community and sustainable . Indigenous communities have been active in food systems and empowering Indigenous knowledge through ways of being . See the resources below for more on how food sovereignty is growing within and across communities . Discussion Questions What food issues are important to your ?

Are you aware of existing municipal or regional food policies that addresses those issues ?

If not , why do you think there is a gap ?

What elements , people , and resources are involved in the creation of a new food policy ( advocates , policy brokers , needs , How can communication tools be used to increase engagement in food policy processes ?

While the Food Policy Council ( is often used as a prominent example , Food Policy Groups are present across the world . 616 BACKYARD CHICKENS How can community movements help food growing and eating practices ?

Can you achieve one of the actions set out by the Native Food Systems team ?

Exercises Backyard Chicken Policy Comparison Look at the list of municipal backyard chicken policies below . Read each of the policies and how policy development can differ . Note such variations as the number of chickens , the lot size of an owner property , and the limitation or banning of roosters . What other differences can you find ?

Are there similarities across ?

Austin Texas Kitchener New Orleans Louisiana Portland Oregon Seattle Washington Victoria British Columbia Yukon Understanding Food Policy Groups Food policy as bring knowledge and act as policy brokers in communities . Write a short plain language JOHANNA WILKES 617

report outlining the debate and decision of a recent urban food policy process by a city council of your choosing . To find more information on municipal food policies or groups , see the Food System Policy Database ( for Canada ) or the Hopkins Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks project ( for the ) or look for a food policy database in your area . Use the following guiding questions to write your report What is the name , area of work , and primary focus of the food policy group you chose ?

Whose interests does the food policy group serve ?

Who is employed by the group ?

What are the key topics being debated ?

Are there opposing viewpoints ?

What are they ?

Who are the key stakeholders or groups that will be impacted by the policy being debated ?

Are there any external interests the debate ?

What are the main concerns about the policy ?

What are the potential benefits ?

If a policy decision has been made , what are the key points of that policy ?

Additional Resources Gather , a film about Indigenous reclamation of spiritual , political and cultural identities through food sovereignty . Native Food Systems Nourish Healthcare Report on Indigenous 618 BACKYARD CHICKENS Indigenous Food Systems Network Dream of Wild Health Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative Urban Farm . video ) References Archives . 2019 . The Battle over Backyard Chickens That Hatched in . May , 2019 . and , 2014 ) Policy Studies Public . Moon , 2018 ) Influencing Policy Change Finding a Public . International Centre for Policy Advocacy . Identify or . 2020 ) What to the backyard hens after pilot ends ?

Star . 2019 ) Kids are the leaders and heart of Urban Farm . Hamilton . JOHANNA WILKES 619