In our family, caring for our seven hens goes beyond mere backyard activities; it's a way of life. No roosters, just our littles clucking around their coop, teaching us and our kids about responsibility and the origins of our food. It’s more than sustenance; it’s a small practice in sustainability, simplicity, and sharing. We’re diligent about maintaining cleanliness, sharing fresh eggs with our neighbors, and adhering to responsible practices. We're not aiming to convert our backyard into a farm, but rather to live a straightforward, fulfilling life that aligns with the core values Ashe County was founded upon.

Currently, the town limits of West Jefferson disallow residents from keeping backyard hens. This policy restricts families like ours from embracing traditional, sustainable practices that can enhance community bonds and local resilience. For centuries, families in Ashe County and wider rural America have raised chickens not just for eggs, but for the character-building responsibilities they instill in the young and the connections they foster among neighbors.

Allowing backyard hens within West Jefferson can propagate a lifestyle that empowers citizens to provide some portion of their own food, reducing reliance on commercial food systems. Moreover, a small flock of hens produce natural fertilizer, control pests, and recycle food waste, creating a healthier ecosystem right in our backyards. This small act contributes significantly to environmental sustainability, aligns with modern homesteading movements, and supports the growing trend of localized agriculture.

Many other towns and cities across the nation have embraced backyard hens as a part of urban agriculture reforms, recognizing both their ecological benefits and their role in community building. By revising the town ordinance to permit the keeping of hens, West Jefferson can join this progressive movement. Such a change would require adherence to regulations ensuring that coops are kept clean, noise is minimized, and hens are maintained in a manner respectful of neighbors and local wildlife.

Please join us in advocating for a change in town policy that allows West Jefferson residents to keep hens. This endeavor not only honors the rich agricultural traditions of our area but also supports a thriving, self-sufficient community. Sign this petition to bring about a change that respects our past and encourages a sustainable future in West Jefferson, NC.