Who wants to slaughter something so cute (and really not that tasty)?

Here are the proposed major changes to city ordinance over keeping livestock within city limits;

NONDOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any animal that is not domestic.

Glad they cleared that one up. LOL!

(1) A maximum of six animals may be kept on personal land in the city.

Slaughter of animals is prohibited. This prohibition shall not include slaughter as part of any research, educational instruction, stockyard, or slaughterhouse.

All applications for license certificates must be accompanied by a written consent of at least 80 percent of the owners of the several descriptions of real estate situated within 100 feet of the applicant’s real estate and the appropriate fee. Upon the city’s approval of the required application, the city shall issue a license certificate. The license shall specify any restrictions, limitations, conditions, or prohibitions required by the city. The license may be modified or revoked by the city for failure to conform to such restrictions, limitations, conditions, or prohibitions including, but not limited to, noise and odor.

While I agree there should be some kind of limit to how many livestock animals you can have, and having a license, I am admantly against asking permission from your neighbors. If your animals become a nuisance, your neighbors can issue a complaint, but getting there permission is silly. Do you have to get your neighbor’s permission to repaint your house a different color? I think we are going down a slippery slope if we all this part of the ordinance to stand.

Poultry Crawl planned for Sioux Falls

The First Annual Poultry Crawl is set for February 25.  Participants will enjoy a progressive dinner where with a poultry appetizer, entrée, dessert and complementary wine at East Bank downtown restaurants K’s, Sanaa’s, and Josiah’s.  The event will start at K’s at 6:00p.m.  Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased by Feb. 22.

Diners can mingle with farmers who can answer questions about how they raise and care for their poultry.   More details on the Poultry Crawl and to register, click here. Please contact Kelly Nelson at Ag United for South Dakota with questions at (605) 336-3622 or Kelly@agunited.org.

By Detroit Lewis

The city council was presented the final findings of the Urban Ag Committee on Tuesday at the Sioux Falls city council informational meeting.

While many things were presented in a short period of time, council Head Honcho, Lady MacErpenbach decided to cut the meeting short, because, as she stated to me afterwards, “When a woman has to pee, you best get out of her way.”

But not before an intriguing conversation was had by all. Councilor Standfortruth asked Code Enforcement Czar, Shoona Limphammer, who led the Urban Ag Committee, “So were the meetings a TOTAL waste of time, or just a partial waste of time?” To which she replied, “That’s not for me to decide. But if you have over 8.0625″ of grass in your yard, I will make the decision to have the city take you to court or arrest you.”

Councilor Tex Golfing said people have different definitions about a nuisance, “Some people think white old men that still think they are living in the 1950’s are a nuisance, you may disagree. But I have seen a mad chicken, and you can bet me Councilor Starsky’s goat on a spit, they can be a bit of a nuisance.”

Starsky seemed to be confused about the line of questioning, to which he responded, “Bahhhhh.”

Councilor Andyland Jr. brought up pot belly pigs, “So which are they, Shoona? Food or Pets.” Limphammer responded, “That all depends. Have you ever licked the belly of a pot belly pig?” Andyland responded, “Well there was this softball tournament I attended in the South that . . . ah . . . nevermind.”

Councilor Diamond Jim Antiman felt it was your neighbors that should decide everything about your property, “I think you should have a 100% of your neighbor’s approval before you get chickens. Heck I call my neighbors and have them help me pick out my Christmas lights, etc. Heck yesterday, my one neighbor picked out my socks and underwear for me.”

When the topic of how many eggs a chicken can produce in a week came up, councilor Soo Agrisans says, “Is that all?! Maybe the Phillips Avenue Diner needs to get some chickens, just as long as they don’t take up any of my booth space.”

Councilor Craig Jamisun felt that more in depth discussion would happen when the topic comes in front of the land committee. “There will be plenty of time for me to stand on the fence and watch Standfortruth ask endless questions to which no one will answer, Antiman to continue to be in property rights denial, and Golfing to ask the African word definition of a rabbit.”

These will be the last two committee meetings before this goes to the Council. Both meetings are in the evening so that more citizens have an opportunity to attend.

Monday, September 10th, 6:30 to 8:30, Carnegie Town Hall

Monday, September 24th, 6:30 to 8:30, Carnegie Town Hall

Last chance for public input on chickens, goats, etc. before this goes to the full Council for a vote.