02/18/2024
So, city council member Tate held a meeting about livestock. Let me address the most important issues concerning whether poultry, bees, and rabbits have a place within Detroit city limits.
To "farm animals belong in the country". Where exactly is the country these days? Here in Southeast Michigan everything from rising land costs to lower income for farmers, and demographic changes have led to a decline in actual farming so much so that, much of the land that was farmed has been developed into 'strip malls', one off businesses and their accompaning parking lots (think Dollar General), and sub divisions. Farm land 1-2 hours outside Detroit is now just the place where the suburbs of cities meet. The farther away from food you are the less food security you have, something to think about as we drive through our 'food desert-labyrinth'.
Many people that oppose livestock in Detroit descend from southern farmers that raised backyard poultry, bought and brought live birds from the Eastern Market home to prepare and eat, and therefore; have ALREADY benefited from an allowance that they, now, don't have the grace to extent to younger generations. Other cities with greather population density, higher affluence, and far less vacant lots and property allow livestock (Royal Oak for instance but no roosters obviously).
Animal Control is a difficult job and it has been expericing staffing issues for years, therefore officers' time would be BETTER spent addressing the wild dogs that maul and maim, coyotes that sometimes attack people and pets on the riverfront greenways and parks, and the coywolves seen in the cemetaries. Even the most vicious rooster has yet to drag a person off but the afore mentioned wild animals have. As for the pests, all cities deal with rodents because they live off human waste, it has and will continue to be an ongoing problem whether the city allows livestock or not.
Bottom line; Detroit needs to build up its tax base. The 'easy money' captured by taking advantage of peoples' vices through the legalization of gambling, lottery, casinos, and Cannabis can only fill the coffers so far. The same goes for the entertainment industry with its stadiums, theaters, and restaurants. The City NEEDS now to attact FAMILIES; people that go and move elderly relatives into the addition on the back of the house, folks that build work sheds and offices in the backyard, parents with school aged children that are active in their childrens' education and get involved in the neighborhoods. And what the does the City have to offer? How can Detroit compete with the other mid sized cities looking to grow their own populations? Just about the ONLY thing we have that others don't, is land, affordable property (by comparison), and the chance at homeownership. But we can do better than that, we can adopt the theme of "Detroit, America's first self sustaining city" and invite people to join us in building, problem solving, and enjoying the fruits of that labor all in ways that will make us proud to say we are from Detroit. Come on! We can figure this out, Detoit is big enough for everyone to get what they need and most of what they want if we just plan it, cooperate and strive toward the highest and greatest good. At least...let us try. Increasing food security through backyard livestock, bees, and poultry is a way forward by employing traditions thst must not be lost to outsourcing.
-Mrs. Bro Nature
