Hungry? Head to the Backyard

Usually I don't post comments on Carol Lloyd's Surreal Estate articles (from the San Francisco Chronicle website), but this week I thought her discussion about urban farming was pretty interesting. Considering the rising price of food and the state of the economy, is the future of our food really in the plot of land out back? In urban/suburban CA, the rise of backyard farms and animal raising may be only slightly out of character, but it's definitely impractical considering space issues and costs of real estate. 

The legal issues might surprise you (or at least give you a laugh)--

"Residents are allowed three of one kind of animal and a total of four animals. (This means no more than three adult dogs without a kennel permit.) Legal pets include hares, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds of any species, as well as cats and dogs. According to the health code, donkeys, mules, cows and goats (all "even-toed" animals") require a permit, though senior health inspector Helen Zverina told me that pot bellied pigs and pygmy goats were also defined as pets. Contrary to common belief, roosters are not outlawed. But if there's a complaint, the city will take away the bird based on noise abatement."

Urban Farming: Back to the Land in your Tiny Backyard, Carol Lloyd, SURREAL ESTATE