Seattle continues to set an example in urban farming and on Saturday, July 10 community members are invited to attend Tour de Coop hosted by Seattle Tilth. Capitol Hill destinations on the tour include Madison Market and City People’s Garden Store on Madison.
Urban farmers, chicken enthusiasts and curious community members are invited to view neighbors’ creations, learn about building coops, taking care of poultry and “managing waste.”
You will see a wide variety of accommodations, variously described as: cottage, craftsman, castle, shed, mobile, two-storied and ark. The chickens include many different varieties including Buff Orpingtons, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Black Autralorp, Araucana, Delaware, Barred Rock and Bantams. Besides chickens and coops, you will also have the opportunity to see other urban livestock including mini dairy goats, honey bees and ducks.
A solar oven, organic gardens and fruit orchards will also be featured. You don’t have to be an experienced farmer to attend or enjoy the event, all are welcome. And if attending inspires you to raise your own poultry, no permits are currently required to add a chicken coop to your property but city law only permits households to have three outdoor pets.
The self-guided tour begins at 11 a.m. Tickets for non-Tilth members cost $30 and serve as a pass for a family of four. Maps of tour locations are available from Seattle Tilth.
