Community Food Advocates

Join Community Food Advocates at the Wild Cow next Tuesday January 24th for a Jamaican/Caribbean buffet to benefit our programs!

‘BE Hive’ benefits

Enjoy an all-vegetarian, egg- and dairy-free meal for a good cause — every week. The Wild Cow’s “The BE Hive” dinners are held every Tuesday with new themes and new progressive beneficiaries.

The next dinner is 4-9 p.m. Tuesday with a Jamaican/Caribbean buffet that will include jerk seitan, island barbecue lentils, banana tofu curry, coconut carrots, mashed sweet potatoes with pineapple and more. Proceeds will benefit Community Food Advocates.

The cost is $10 at The Wild Cow, 1896 Eastland Ave. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thebehive.

– Jen Todd, The Tennessean (read the article online here)

Many of our followers have been interested in the Urban Hen bill moving through our City Council right now, so we thought we would try to provide you with the most up to date information.

A big thanks to Councilwoman Karen Bennett for providing us with the Substitute Ordinance being introduced on third reading.

SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE NO. BL2011-47

An ordinance to amend Title 8 and Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code to modify the regulations and standards pertaining to the keeping of chickens (Proposal No. 2011Z-020TX-001).

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1.  Section 8.12.020 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby deleted and replaced with the following new Section 8.12.020:

8.12.020          Keeping of chickens.

1. No person shall keep chickens within the metropolitan government area in such a manner that a nuisance is created.
2. The keeping of chickens shall be in compliance with all applicable zoning laws pursuant to Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code.
3. An annual permit issued by the department of health shall be required for the keeping of domesticated hens on residential property where allowed by Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code, provided that no permit shall be required for property that is zoned for agricultural uses.
   1. The annual permit to keep domesticated hens may not be assigned to another person. In addition, the permit authorizes the keeping of hens only upon the property described in the permit. The permittee must occupy the residence on the property where the hens are kept as the permittee’s personal, primary residence. An applicant for a permit must either own the property or have permission from the property owner to be eligible for a permit.
   2. Only one (1) permit is allowed per permittee. In the event the permittee is absent from the property for longer than sixty (60) days, the permit automatically shall terminate and become void. The issuance of a permit does not create a vested right to renewal of the permit beyond the stated term thereof.
   3. The first permit year shall extend from the date of issuance through December 31, 2012. Thereafter the permit year shall be January 1 through December 31.
   4. Fees. The fee for an annual permit to keep domesticated hens is twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
4. Food storage and removal. All stored food for the domesticated hens must be kept either indoors or in a weather-resistant container designed to prevent access by animals. Uneaten food shall be removed daily.
5. Enclosure.
   1. All domesticated hens shall be kept outside of a habitable structure in a predator-proof enclosure, a portion of which must be a covered henhouse, and a portion of which must be a fenced area complying with the provisions of Chapter 16.24 of the Metropolitan Code applicable to the construction of fences.
   2. In addition to the fenced enclosure, hens shall be provided with a covered, predator-resistant henhouse. A minimum of two (2) square feet per hen shall be provided for henhouses and six (6) square feet per bird for fenced enclosures.
   3. Fenced enclosures and henhouses must be properly ventilated, clean, dry, and odor-free, kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times, in a manner that will not disturb the use or enjoyment of neighboring lots due to noise, odor or other adverse impact.
   4. The henhouse and fenced enclosure must provide adequate ventilation, adequate sun and shade, and must be constructed in a manner to resist access by rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.
   5. Henhouses shall be enclosed on all sides and shall have a roof and doors. Access doors must be able to be shut and locked at night. Opening windows and vents must be covered with predator- and bird-resistant wire of less than one (1) inch openings.
6. Sanitation, Nuisance, and Humane Treatment
   1. Waste storage and removal. Provision must be made for the storage and removal of chicken manure. All manure for composting or fertilizing shall be contained in a well-aerated garden compost pile. All other manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed. In addition, the henhouse and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings.
   2. No perceptible odor from the hens or the hen enclosure shall be present at any property line.
   3. All feed shall be stored in a rodent and predator-proof container having a metal lid.
   4. No slaughtering of domesticated hens may occur on the property.
   5. No breeding of chickens shall occur on the property.
   6. No domesticated hens shall be used or trained for the purpose of fighting for amusement, sport, or financial gain.
7. Application for permit. Every applicant for a permit to keep domesticated hens shall:
   1. Complete and file an application on a form prescribed by the department of health.
   2. Deposit the prescribed permit fee with the department of health at the time the application is filed. Any material misstatement or omission shall be grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of the permit.
8. Approval of permit. The department of health shall issue a permit if the applicant  submits an affidavit attesting that he/she is in compliance with the criteria and standards in this section.
9. Denial, suspension or revocation of permit. The department of health shall deny a permit if the applicant fails to submit an affidavit demonstrating compliance with all provisions of this section. A permit to keep domesticated hens may be suspended or revoked by the department of health where there is a risk to public health or safety or for any violation of or failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section or with the provisions of any other applicable ordinance or law, provided that a permit to keep domesticated hens shall be revoked in the event a court of competent jurisdiction finds three (3) or more separate violations of the provisions of this Section and/or of Section 17.16.250.B of the Metropolitan Code within a twenty-four (24) month period. Any denial, revocation, or suspension of a permit shall be in writing and shall include notification of the right to and procedure for appeal. In the event a permit to keep domesticated hens at a particular address is revoked pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, no new permit shall be issued by the department of health for the same address unless the property changes ownership or a new tenant is residing at the address.
10. Penalty. In addition to any other enforcement action which the Metropolitan Government may take, violation of any provision of this section shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00). Each day that a violation continues shall be treated as a separate offense.
11. The department of health shall have the authority to adopt and implement rules and regulations necessary to further the provisions of this Section, provided they are not in conflict with the requirements of this Section.
12. Where used in this Section, the designation of “department of health” shall also include the division of Metropolitan animal control services.

M. Sunset provision. The provisions of this section pertaining to the keeping of chickens shall expire and be null and void on March 1, 2014, unless extended by resolution of the council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. This provision, commonly known as a “sunset provision,” is included to ensure that the effectiveness and necessity of this section is reviewed by the metropolitan council after its adoption.

Section 2. Section 17.040.060 of the Metropolitan Code (Definitions of General Terms) is hereby amended by adding the following definition:

“Domesticated hens” means female chickens that may, where permitted, be kept and maintained for the non-commercial production of eggs, education, companionship, or recreation.  Other types of fowl and poultry shall not be considered domesticated hens.

Section 3.         Section 17.08.030 of the Metropolitan Code (Zoning Land Use Table:  Residential Uses) is hereby amended by adding “Domesticated hens” as a use permitted by right (P) in the AG and AR2a districts, and as an accessory use (A) in all R and RS districts.

Section 4.        Section 17.16.250 of the Metropolitan Code (Land Use Development Standards:  Accessory Uses – Residential Accessory Uses) is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection B., and re-lettering the remaining subsections accordingly:

B.   Domesticated hens.

1.         Type and number. Except upon property zoned for agricultural use or for properties in the R and RS districts of five (5) acres or more in size, a parcel of land shall contain the maximum number of domesticated hens identified below.  Only hens are allowed; roosters are expressly prohibited.  There is no restriction on domestic hen breeds.

3.         Location. All domesticated hens shall be kept in the side and/or rear yards of a residential property subject to the setback standards contained in this subsection.  No domesticated hens shall be kept in the front yard. If domesticated hens are to be kept in the side yard, neither the hens nor the covered henhouse required by section 8.12.020 of the Metropolitan Code shall be visible from any public right-of-way. Rather, the hens and henhouse shall be entirely screened from view of the public right-of-way using opaque fencing and/or landscaping.

4.        Setbacks.  An enclosure shall be located twenty-five (25) feet away from any residential structure (other than the permit holder’s residence) located in a residential zone district and ten (10) feet from any property line.

5.         Permit required.  A valid permit issued by the department of health pursuant to Section 8.12.020 of the Metropolitan Code shall be obtained and maintained at all times.

Section 5.        In the event that any portion of this Ordinance shall be declared by any competent court to be invalid for any reason, such decision shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other portion of this Ordinance.

Section 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect immediately after its passage and such change be published in a newspaper of general circulation, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

The confirmed activities for Community Food Advocates’ King Day Teach-In/Day of Service are as follows:

Friday, January 13th 3 – 5 pm
C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center
2013 25th Ave. North
Projects: Work in the large community garden, neighborhood clean-up, work in fruit tree orchard.

Special Guest: Sizwe Herring

Saturday, January 14th, 1 – 3 pm
Bailey Tribute Rose Garden
1003 Monroe St.
Projects: Work at rose garden, Neighborhood Clean up, Trail building.

Special Guest: Rev. Ed Sanders

Sunday, January 15th 2:30 – 5 pm,
Word Of Life Christian Center
4100 Clarksville Pike
Projects: Help with church garden, workshop.

Guest Speaker: Leah Davidson

Monday, January 16th 2 pm – 4 pm
American Baptist College
1800 World Baptist Center Dr.
Projects: Help build the new Geo. W. Carver Food Park, Trails, Clean up and organize storage building.

Guest speaker: LaTaska Nelson, Student Government Association President (the first female in the history of the College).

Groups should RSVP with Sizwe by calling 385-2286, ext 222.

Community Food Advocates Intergenerational Gardeners Plan King Day “Teach In”

In a commitment to growing healthier communities through community gardening, the Intergenerational (IGEN) Gardeners of Community Food Advocates invite you to participate in the 2012 King Day of Service, January 14 through 16th.

“We have put together 10 teams of sincerely dedicated youth and elders who value the impact of multi-generational gardening.” says Sizwe Herring, Urban Agriculture Specialist at Community Food Advocates. These individuals have established garden projects in their communities and are dedicated to growing the IGEN program. Garden sites include: Word of Life Church, Glencliff High School, Eliezer’s Hope Community Garden of Yahh, Caldwell Enhanced Option School, Maplewood High School, Brooklyn Heights Community Garden, Park Ave. Elementary School, the new George W. Carver Food Park, Tomorrow’s Hope Community Garden, Farm In The City, Terrance Murray Community Garden at Edgehill and the McGruder Family Resource Community Garden.

“People all over Nashville should have this opportunity and we want to see it happen,” says IGEN elder Ronnie Simmons. Simmons, and his youth garden partner Aaron Sykes, work in the Tomorrow’s Hope Community Garden and at Farm In The City Community Garden. Sykes adds: “teens need to get out and learn more from older people – they know how to do things.” The IGEN gardens aim to increase the nutritional intake of more fruits and veggies, reduce grocery bills, and increase general health and outdoor activity for participants.

In celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the group is planning several “Teach In’s” throughout Nashville to encourage more intergenerational gardens. On January 14, 15, and 16, a series of informal gatherings will take place at existing IGEN Gardens. Specific times and locations listed above. The goal of these gatherings is to uplift urban agriculture as a way to increase quality of life for participants and decrease social ills such as crime, obesity and food/activity related diseases.

Find more information online here:

https://sites.google.com/site/tennesseelocalfoodsummit/

We are so excited to be a part of the first Yelp Helps event at Marathon Music Works.

Come out on Friday, November 18th!

You can reserve your FREE tickets here.

Community Food Advocates Celebrates First “Food Day-Nashville” and Helps Kick Off Nashville Food Stamp Challenge

Nashville, TN — October 20, 2011 — “Everybody eats” is the Community Food Advocates tag-line – but not everyone has access to healthy food grown in a fair and sustainable way. Join Community Food Advocates and others at the inaugural “Food Day-Nashville” celebration, to find out what you can do to end hunger and make our food system healthier, more just and sustainable. Food Day will take place at the Nashville Farmers’ Market on Monday, October 24 from 5 pm – 8 pm. Nashville residents from across Nashville’s food system will be welcomed to the inaugural Food Day event.

October 24 is also the first day of the “Nashville Food Stamp Challenge.” Community Food Advocates joins the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Catholic Charities in promoting this opportunity to learn about food insecurity first-hand. This community-wide effort could lead to an increased understanding of poverty and new ideas to alleviate hunger in Nashville.

Community Food Advocates and Nashville Farmers’ Market are excited to bring Food Day to the Nashville community. They will be honored to read a proclamation from Mayor Karl Dean, recognizing Food Day and the importance of working for a healthy, just and sustainable food system for our community. Other Food Day sponsors include the Green and Healthy Communities radio show on AM 880, Mercy Lounge and Compass Groups, which will be providing food tastings. Nonprofits and food system businesses will also be on hand to share information and opportunities for involvement with participants.

Food Day is a national effort that seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. Nashville’s first Food Day will be a celebration of our local food system, with delicious food prepared by local chefs, and an opportunity to learn about local initiatives to make healthy food more accessible to all Nashville residents. Families and children are welcome.

Food Day participants will have several opportunities to show their commitment to national and local efforts to improve our food system. The Nashville Food Stamp Challenge –– is one great way to gain a personal understanding of food insecurity by eating just $31.50 in groceries for the week. Attendees will be asked to sign a local Food Day “Pledge,” and endorse the Food Day principles, including supporting sustainable farming practices, expanding access to food and eliminating hunger, and supporting fair working conditions for food and farm workers.

Community Food Advocates looks forward to recognizing the first recipients of the “Real Food Hall of Fame” (RFHOF) awards at Food Day. The RFHOF winners will be Nashville residents and/or businesses who exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system. These food system champions will receive a custom-designed award in their honor.

For more information on the national Food Day movement, please visit http://foodday.org/.  To volunteer with planning and coordinating the October 24 Food Day event, contact Brian at brian@communityfoodadvocates.org.

To learn more about the Food Stamp Challenge, check out Food Stamp Challenge Nashville on Facebook. To sign up, sent an email to judy@jewishnashville.org and put FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE in the subject line.

2011 Real Food Hall of Fame

Congratulations to the inductees of the 2011 Real Food Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees represent food systems leaders and organizations that exemplify what it means to end hunger and work for a healthy, just and sustainable food system.

Community Food Advocates is pleased to announce the following inductees:

• Tana Comer, farmer, Eaton’s Creek Organics; co-founder, Tennessee Organic Growers Association
• John W. Ewing, 95-year old community elder and long-time garden volunteer, George Carver Food Park
• Freddie Haddox, organic farmer and young farmer mentor, Mamushi Nature Farm
• Jeff Poppen “The Barefoot Farmer”, established one of TN’s oldest and largest organic farms, Long Hungry Creek Farm
• The Nashville Greenlands, North Nashville sustainable urban agriculture community

We are also excited to recognize “Real Food Emerging Leaders”, young people and/ or individuals new to food systems work who have made significant contributions to Nashville’s food system. Congratulations to the 2011 Real Food Emerging Leaders:

• Cortney H. Akridge, 17 year old community garden team leader and garden manager, Intergenerational Gardening Program
• Michael J. Sommesi, school cafeteria manager and school garden advocate, Metro Nashville Public Schools

Please join us at the Nashville Food Day Celebration on October 24, from 5-8pm at the Nashville Farmers’ Market, to recognize the Real Food Hall of Fame inductees, Emerging Leaders, and all nominees. The Hall of Fame awards will begin at 6pm. Click here for more information on the Food Day event.

What you will need:

1 pint of Whole Cream (local organic or pasture raised for the best butter!)
1 quart jar and a smaller jar for storage
Ice cold water
A spoon

Pour the whole cream into a quart sized jar. We did two pint jars so we each got to shake

Shake it! it will get thick like this.

and then it will  look like this:

the butter will separate from the buttermilk and look like this

Pour off the buttermilk that has formed.

Pour ice water over the butter until it is just covering it

reseal jar, and shake to rinse- the water will get cloudy as it carries away the remains of the buttermilk.

Pour off water.

Repeat this step.

(Pour ice water over the butter, reseal jar, and shake to rinse. Pour off water.)

Transfer to your storing jar and compress it to form a solid mass.  You may add salt at this point.

Buttermilk +  Butter

Nom Nom.

A yummy afternoon snack.

Please join us on Thursday, October 6 on the Lipscomb University Campus as we celebrate our local food & farming community & RAISE FUNDS for the Community Food Advocates’ Field of Greens Fund with the FIRST AND ONLY Nashville screening of GROW! the Movie- a new 50 minute documentary that captures the energy and independence of a fresh crop of young farmers in Georgia who have turned to the fields for a fulfilling life.

Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $15 & should be reserved in advance by visiting this website: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/436/donate.asp?formid=events&c=7507525

You can pay when your register (highly recommended) or pay at the door. NOTE – if you’ve already RSVPd through email, you are covered. All monies raised will go to the Field of Greens Fund funding grants available to local farmers & producers serving our food shed in 2012.

6:00 p.m. – Doors open. Mix & mingle with our local food & farming community & enjoy pre-show refreshments provided by Whole Foods – Franklin.

7:00 p.m. – GROW! Movie screening with introduction from filmmakers Owen Masterson & Christine Anthony.

8:00 p.m. – Time for dessert from our local artisan bakers & a lively discussion of local food & farming issues in Middle Tennesse with our panel of farmers, producers & chef:

Jennifer Hagan-Dier, Board Member of Community Food Advocates (Moderator)
Amy Delvin Tavalin & Brandon Tavalin, Farmers for Delvin Farms
Eric Wooldridge, Farmer for Bells Bend Neighborhood Farms
Karen Overton, Poultry Farmer for Wedge Oak Farm
Jeremy Barlow, Chef/Owner of tayst restaurant

Tickets to this event are LIMITED, please RSVP through the Community Food Advocates site: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/436/donate.asp?formid=events&c=7507525 Wednesday, October 5.

About GROW! the Movie:
It’s not just ‘Old MacDonaldrarian life. Armed with college degrees, some are unable to find jobs in the current economic slump. Fed up with corporate America and its influence on a broken food system, they aim to solve some of the current system’s inequities by growing clean, fair food. Mostly landless, they borrow, rent or manage farmland in order to fulfill their dreams of doing something meaningful with their lives.

GROW! takes a look at this new generation of sustainable farmers through the eyes, hearts and minds of 20 passionate, idealistic and fiercely independent young growers. In the film they speak of both the joys and the challenges involved in tending the land.
Filmed on 12 farms throughout the state of Georgia during an entire growing season, GROW! provides an honest and inspiring look at this next generation of farmers. Anybody who appreciates the value of good, wholesome food grown close to home, who cares about our food supply and the future of farming will want to see GROW!

For more info on the film or to see the trailer visit:
growmovie.net/ or
vimeo.com/channels/growmovie