I was puzzled by the hostility in the op-ed piece written by Marianne Prince regarding the keeping of farm animals in urban environments (Sept. 3). It is obvious to me that Ms. Prince doesn’t know either Brian or Sharon or their motivations in regulating “urban homesteading.†She contends that rabies is rare in goats, and so her fainting goats shouldn’t have to be vaccinated.
The truth is that rabies is rare in all domesticated animals, yet good public health policy demands they be vaccinated, including your dog, my cat and Ms. Prince’s goats. According to the NIH, rabies cases are on the rise in North Carolina. Rabies vaccinations really aren’t about the animal. It’s about preventing transmission to us and our children, and as someone who has been bitten by a rabid animal I can assure you that even one case is too many. For the record, the rabies vaccine that is given to sheep is effective in goats.
To say that Brian is against “green progress†just shows an ignorance of what she writes. The Voyces live on just under half an acre and grow cherries, blueberries, strawberries, beans, corn, cabbage, at least 12 kinds of lettuce, peas, zucchini, tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon. I think I’ve spied some eggplant and asparagus, but don’t quote me.
I don’t know Ms. Prince and her partner, but I do know that it is virtually impossible for one family to eat the eggs produced by the 40-plus chickens living and being slaughtered in Ms. Prince’s yard. So there is more than “self-sufficiency,†which is the goal of urban homesteading, going on at the Quite Contrary Farm. She also runs a for-profit children’s camp at her “farm.†It is a commercial establishment. Is it properly licensed? Does Carboro town ordinance even allow for this type of business to be run in a residential neighborhood? Should it be regulated by state day-care regulations?
That is the business of town government, or it should be.
Ms. Prince is, of course, entitled to her opinion, but her characterizations are both false and ill-informed. It is clear that she is putting her own commercial interests above the good of her community. How progressive!
Katrina Ryan
Carrboro
Well said, Ms. Ryan. The incredible disregard for public health in the name of “cool” or “hip” is disturbing. Shame on the Aldermen for allowing this.
I would be very afraid if I were Ms. Prince that these busybodies would come after me with such venom. Any resident of Carrboro should be treated with respect, but this gang is fixated on this person. I’m far less worried about a couple of goats across town than these public figures organizing against a little guy like me for their own political reasons.
Great article in Time magazine about urban husbandry.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914991,00.html
Here is another great article in Popular Mechanics.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4330961.html?page=3
Any resident of Carrboro should be treated with respect, huh? I guess that doesn’t include to the neighbor, long since silenced, who objected to the goats?
Urban farmer-fascism at its best. How sad.
And did the “gang” you refer to leave any “gang” signs around? Were they wearing any “colors”?? Do pray tell.
Thank you Katrina for your concerns, and in answer to your queries:
We actually have 18 chickens, and all but 6 are bantams, which are about 1/5 the size of a standard chicken. We do get extra eggs and we give these away to neighbors and helpers. Occasionally we have a for-charity kid’s farmer’s market and sell eggs to friends and parents, and donate 100% of the proceeds. This is all perfectly legal.
Our goats are up to date on all of their vaccines. They have regular vet visits. Our goats will be getting their rabies vaccines tomorrow, so that should put all of this matter to rest. It is not a licensed vaccine but an off-label, because currently there doesn’t exist a licensed rabies vaccine for goats. Because of the lack of a legally viable goat vaccine, it would be complicated to require the town to mandate it. However they are looking into it as well, as was stated on August 25 at town hall.
Also, I have jumped through all of the necessary hoops to ensure that I have proper licensing and insurance for my business. I have had support and encouragement from my neighbors. It is for profit because I too have to make a living. I have never misrepresented that. At the same time, it is my goal to make it affordable, and to get involved with outreach with local schools and non-profits. We offer events that raise money for charity as well as host several free events.
Here is more information about rabies vaccines in goats:
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/rabiesingoats.html
What’s wrong with goats?
Goats aren’t really a problem. When confined to specific boundaries, goats act much like dogs or chickens, and certainly less unruly than children and some disgruntled adults. I’m not terribly clear what inspired the volley of criticism, but Ms. Prince’s goats are vaccinated, and anyone who knows their way around a kitchen is well aware how quickly eggs are used up (besides the point that different breeds lay at wildly different rates). In making these two points, Ms. Ryan’s letter reads oddly aloof, eerily preoccupied, yet strangely venomous and uninformed. Ms. Ryan hinges her complaints on terms she wraps in disparaging quotes (e.g. “urban homesteading,” “green progress,” “self-sufficiency,” and “farm”) suggesting strong reproach to Ms. Prince’s practices, yet offers no clear definitions, and ultimately just sounds mean. Who is this person?