I am delighted that Sidney Elementary School is teaching the students about food, farming and growing vegetables. I think it would fun for the school to hold an open house some day to let us come in and have the kids show us around so we can admire and learn from them.
I would like to see Sidney become a leader in self-sufficiency. The Urban Homesteading movement is moving like a freight train throughout North America. Vancouver Island has approximately two or three days’ worth of fresh food. If something cut us off from the mainland, we would run out of food quickly. Honey keeps forever. With a few hens (eggs), a bucket of honey and water purifying drops, you could live indefinitely.
Our town council recently voted to uphold the current bylaw making all farm animals, fowl/chickens and rabbits illegal. You may keep one beehive if you have a 750 sq.m yard. My yard is considered large but it’s only 603 sq.m, so few people can keep bees in Sidney.
We need them so desperately right now. Some estimates say we’ve lost a third of them in the past couple of years.
So Sidney Elementary, I am thrilled that you are teaching our children well. Maybe the kids can make town hall change their minds some day. I’ve tried and failed.
Erin Middlebrooks
Sidney