shelter the land

On a Monday night in June the neighbors of 10th stood in a large circle on Ms C's front lawn. By 6:15 the most prominent families were well represented. The most powerful presence evoked by the real farming families, dressed head to toe in working western-wear.

They carried with them a basket of blueberry muffins, a plate of fresh baked cookies, and the entire history of our street. Their fathers and grandfathers were the original land owners here. They are quiet and hard working; who mostly keep to themselves. When they gather together in public it is impossible to ignore the magnitude of it all.

That evening I slipped into the circle beside our City Councilman. On his other side stood Mr W. and his wife and after the milking was done, a few of their daughters.

The purpose of the meeting was to set in motion the "reinstating", by whatever means available to protect and preserve the character & culture of the historic urban farms of 10th West.

We are a stones throw from downtown SLC, most of us living on working farms that have changed very little since the 1940's- some even longer than that. A majority of the families have a fair shot at proving 'continual use' which would theoretically offer them limited protect under a grandfather clause. But it turns out it is simply not enough. And it doesn't protect future generations from having to fight the same fight.

Among the neighbors at the first meeting there were 3 different languages spoken; all of them in agreement that life on 10th as it is has to be protected.

We were asked 2 things that night:
First, could we raise the money for the filings if it came to that. Yes.
Second, could we in whatever way we had, voice what it is about 10th that we love. What it is we want protected.

Here are some of mine:

Life is real here. It isn't always perfect, it can be loud and messy but it is honest. We aren't playing farm. The families on this land relay on the work done here to live. We don't have 3 hens that we name after our favorite authors and knit sweaters for.

We have working farms. We have quiet fields where the grass grows tall. We bake from scratch, harvest & can, we kick mud & snow from our boots at the back door, and we feed & water in the dark. For me it is all very simple.This is a way of life worth fighting for.

This isn’t just about chickens it is about a community. It’s about the world we want to preserve for our kids.

What you will find on 10th West is uncommon and it is endangered. We aren't just doing this for us. Whether or not you understand what at stake here we are doing this for you too.

On 10th West chickens cross the road; it has always been this way here.
Glendale Chickens