Electric City Chickens- Fight for chickens in Anderson, South Carolina

[cculpepper]

My name is Chase Culpepper and I am a fourteen year old at the Montessori school of Anderson. Last Month on march 8th I was doing research on chickens and I was very disappointed to discover that chickens weren't allowed in the city limits of Anderson! My mom had a wonderful chicken coop built for me by a couple of guys who were doing our roof a few weeks before,and I was VERY excited to find out that i was finally able to get chickens. So I called a few of my council members and I went to a council meeting, where I presented a 19-page essay by KT Labadie (the founder of Urbanchickens.org), and a letter of recommendation from her as well. The process is still ongoing and the meeting will be this month, but in the mean-time, I have had a newspaper article and an on-line article about my efforts published. I want chickens for a variety of reasons; pest-control, lessening food waste, fertilizer, companionship, and most importantly FRESH EGGS!!! I also want to start programs for local food cabinets, soup kitchens, and lower income areas, that will allow them to keep laying hens to provide them with a steady supply of eggs, and a cheaper source of food. In my proposal for the council members, I am stating that only Laying hens should be allowed, NO ROOSTERS, a limit on the number of hens, and upkeep requirements. I want my girls as soon as I can get them, and I will not give up on this law!
http://www.cityofandersonsc.com/council/contact-list.pdf <---- The link for the city council members contact info, please support by emailing or sending letters that you are in support and why, try to keep them positive!

http://66.147.242.185/~urbanch5/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Ordinance-research-paper.pdf <-----19 page essay

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2012/mar/16/student-heads-to-council-for-chickens/ <---- Internet version of article on legalizing laying hens in Anderson.

 

[bnjrob]

Hi Chase - great to hear you are getting so involved! If you haven't done so already, putting stuff up on Twitter, Facebook (make a whole page for it), and Google+ might help to get more people involved - particularly people in your area that can help put the pressure on the city council. Good luck!

 

[cculpepper]

I have, and you are right! So many people are in supporr, and ive met only 3 that werent! The article online had some great disscussion and feedback, and it was also great publicity for the cause. if you havent already check out the links, they are great!

 

[k3llyVA]

Wow, Chase, you are doing a fantastic job!

I'm in Arlington VA- where we are also trying to change laws to allow for backyard hens. It's a long process here. You might be interested to look at The Arlington Egg Project's website:
http://www.arlingtoneggproject.org

They are doing a great job getting supporters- take a look at their online petition. Have you considered a petition? Since you are getting such positive feedback and good publicity from your article, get those people to sign and present your petition to the city council!

Good luck, and keep us posted!!!

 

[Hollim]

Hi Chase, I am interested in knowing how your quest is going. Do you have an update? I also live in Anderson, but outside of city limits. We are new to the chicken scene, but I have three boys here helping me with them. Ages 8, 9, and 11. I think its wonderful to see young men getting involved. Let me know if you need support. Thanks so much & best wishes!!

 

[aromano]

Hi Chase & Chicken Folks, I'm new to the forum and this thread stopped in 2012. Its now almost at the end of 2014. What were the results of your strong effort to change Anderson's chicken laws?