Jenny Ludmer, Princeton
In response to Ivan Shotsky’s notable concerns about factory farming and the avian flu outbreak, I would like to propose yet another option for those who wish to move away from industrialized farming: your very own back yard. Even a small plot can house several hens, which with relatively little effort, can provide you with up to two dozen eggs a week.
Because I raise four hens and tend a small garden, meals can be made out of my yard. And by gardening and raising chickens, I care even more about how I treat my lawn. Thus, I do not use pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers in my lawn or my garden, opting for organic approaches instead. That in turn, is better for the local waterways which ultimately feed me as well.
Of course, I recognize that the avian flu could infect my chickens, so I simply educate myself on the issue and check on them daily. Regardless, the CDC considers the risk to people low, and I am certain that my birds are much less likely to be infected than those living in factory conditions.
While we all love the convenience of buying our food from corporations, the more we move away from this approach and instead provide at least some of our own food, the more control we have over own health and our environment. I look forward to continuing this quest over time and applaud everyone in Princeton who’s doing the same.
Jenny Ludmer
Princeton
