Monday's (November 20) City Council meeting included an update on an upcoming urban agriculture pilot program from the City.

Gail Gibeau, Senior Planner, explained since the last update in June, they've been working to do background research to finalize guidelines for a backyard hens program.

"Now we're ready to start implementing some of that work that we've done. We've launched a public education campaign for the backyard hens program, which we hope to make people aware of the program, that it exists, and to actually drive registration for participation in the pilot project."

The education campaign is an online campaign, using the City's social media platforms to raise awareness about the program.

Gibeau said they receive a lot of inquiries about backyard hens, and have therefore decided to expand the number of participants in the upcoming project.

"When the project was initially discussed back in 2014, we looked at ten, but based on the number of inquiries we've received as well as the fact that we've grown substantially since 2014, we thought it best to increase that number to twenty residential properties."

The first ten spots will be reserved for those that originally inquired about keeping backyard hens, and the rest of the spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Application forms are available on the City's website right now and can be completed at anytime. However, applicants must meet certain criteria and also complete a workshop on keeping backyard hens before they are selected for the project. Gibeau said those workshops won't go until February.

Gibeau said once they have enough participants lined up, they hope to launch the backyard hens program in the spring.

"We're targeting for April of 2018, is when we are hoping to have the hens in, and that's depending on the weather being good. It'll be an 18 month time frame for the onsite implementation. After the 18 months is complete, the hens will be removed and we will do the evaluation and take it back to Council for their direction."

Once the project is finished, Council will review it and determine the future of backyard hens in Airdrie.

Gibeau said they are also conducting public engagement to determine the support for backyard beekeeping and bee friendly initiatives in Airdrie. Starting in January, the City will conduct online surveys about urban beekeeping to understand the level of support in the community.

 

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