Interested in Getting Involved?
The Arlington Egg Project would love to have your help! There are a variety of ways for you to get involved in our efforts to modify Arlington's current zoning ordinances to allow small-scale, sustainable backyard hens, and we appreciate all support.
The first way to help is to sign the Arlington Egg Project Petition! You can also PRINT the petition and go to farmers' markets, your neighbors, and other community groups to help us spread the word. Once you have some signatures, please either scan them and send them to arlingtoneggs@gmail.com or bring them to our next meeting (email us to find out about upcoming meetings).
The first way to help is to sign the Arlington Egg Project Petition! You can also PRINT the petition and go to farmers' markets, your neighbors, and other community groups to help us spread the word. Once you have some signatures, please either scan them and send them to arlingtoneggs@gmail.com or bring them to our next meeting (email us to find out about upcoming meetings).
There are many other ways to help, as well!
Come to one of the AEP meetings! We meet every third Thursday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 South Stafford Street, Arlington).
Also, if you missed the first meeting of the Arlington Egg Project, please check out the presentation by Kirsten Conrad Buhls from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, who outlined some common myths about keeping a few backyard hens in urban areas. Kirsten is an expert on urban agriculture and natural resources.
In addition to coming to the AEP meetings, here are a few other ways to get involved:
Please send this email (see below) to the Board, expressing your support for changing the current ordinance.
Dear Arlington County Board Members,
As an Arlington resident and a supporter of the Arlington Egg Project, I am writing to request modification of Arlington zoning ordinances so that I may keep hens in my back yard.
Small-scale hen-raising helps protect the natural environment, while producing wholesome and ultimately local food. A growing number of urban communities allow and encourage backyard hens, recognizing their multiple benefits. With your support we can join these progressive communities, and promote sustainable urban agriculture here in Arlington.
I recognize that raising hens brings responsibilities. As part of a zoning ordinance modification allowing backyard hens across Arlington, the County could limit numbers of hens, prohibit roosters, and help ensure secure, proper and humane enclosures.
Thank you for your consideration, and your support for sustainable agriculture in Arlington.
Sincerely,
(Your name and info)
Arlington County Board Members: Chair Mary Hughes Hynes - mhynes@arlingtonva.us
Vice-Chair J. Walter Tejada - wtejada@arlingtonva.us
Member Jay Fisette - jfisette@arlingtonva.us
Member Christopher Zimmerman - czimmerman@arlingtonva.us
Also, if you missed the first meeting of the Arlington Egg Project, please check out the presentation by Kirsten Conrad Buhls from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, who outlined some common myths about keeping a few backyard hens in urban areas. Kirsten is an expert on urban agriculture and natural resources.
In addition to coming to the AEP meetings, here are a few other ways to get involved:
- Please send an email or call the Arlington County Board members and let them know you support changing the current ordinance to allow residents to keep small numbers of backyard hens. The Arlington Egg Project is committed to helping the County develop a well-considered plan for modified ordinances that allows backyard hens as part of an overall promotion of sustainable urban agriculture, while balancing the many other needs of the Arlington community.
Please send this email (see below) to the Board, expressing your support for changing the current ordinance.
Dear Arlington County Board Members,
As an Arlington resident and a supporter of the Arlington Egg Project, I am writing to request modification of Arlington zoning ordinances so that I may keep hens in my back yard.
Small-scale hen-raising helps protect the natural environment, while producing wholesome and ultimately local food. A growing number of urban communities allow and encourage backyard hens, recognizing their multiple benefits. With your support we can join these progressive communities, and promote sustainable urban agriculture here in Arlington.
I recognize that raising hens brings responsibilities. As part of a zoning ordinance modification allowing backyard hens across Arlington, the County could limit numbers of hens, prohibit roosters, and help ensure secure, proper and humane enclosures.
Thank you for your consideration, and your support for sustainable agriculture in Arlington.
Sincerely,
(Your name and info)
Arlington County Board Members: Chair Mary Hughes Hynes - mhynes@arlingtonva.us
Vice-Chair J. Walter Tejada - wtejada@arlingtonva.us
Member Jay Fisette - jfisette@arlingtonva.us
Member Christopher Zimmerman - czimmerman@arlingtonva.us
- "Sign" the Arlington Egg Project Petition and let your neighbors and the County know that there are lots of folks who support having the opportunity to raise a few backyard hens.
- Spread the word! Your neighbors and other Arlington community members will benefit from learning about the great things that come from small-scale, sustainable backyard hen-keeping. Please consider Printing the Arlington Egg Project Petition and asking your neighbors to show their public support by signing it. Please bring all forms to upcoming Arlington Egg Project meetings (check our website regularly for meeting dates) or email them to ArlingtonEggs@gmail.com. Also, check out the Hen FAQs and Facts, Why Hens, and the Resources page for information that you can share with your friends!
- Show your support with an Arlington Egg Project Bumper Sticker! For just $2.00, you can have your very own AEP bumper sticker for your car or bike. This is a great way to spread the word about the Arlington Egg Project and show your support! To get an AEP bumper sticker, please send $2.00 (check or cash), plus a self-addressed (with postage) envelope to: Eddie Fendley, 5220 11th Street North, Arlington VA 22205.
Arlington Egg Project Bumper Sticker!