Sustainability Spotlight: Backyard Farming

This article contains sustainability considerations as municipalities navigate regulation of backyard farms as an accessory residential use. 

Chickens at Pillwillop Therapeutic Farm in Wolcott, CT. Photo credit: Christine O’Neill

Small-scale, backyard farming can provide residents with fresh, healthy food, supplemental income, or an enriching hobby. Connecticut’s Right to Farm Law (CGS § 19a-341) has been in place since the 1980s, protecting farms from certain nuisance-based lawsuits and in some cases preempting local zoning. Municipalities may struggle with striking a balance between allowing small-scale livestock farming on residential properties and neighbor concerns related to odor, noise, and runoff. Below are some sustainability considerations as towns navigate regulation of backyard farms containing animals. 

Space, Acreage, and Setbacks. It is not uncommon for zoning regulations to limit where livestock can be kept by imposing space limitations, such as a minimum lot size or liberal setbacks. While strict limitations make sense for multiacre farms, a one-size-fits-all approach may result in overly restrictive regulations that discourage backyard farming. Carefully crafted regulations for specific animals – like Ansonia’s regulations for fancy pigeons – prevent unintentional pigeonholing of all livestock into the same category. 

Managing Nuisances. Animal husbandry may create nuisances that impact other property owners, such as noise, odors, or runoff. Some of these nuisances are beyond the reach of municipal land use – for instance, per CT’s Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Act (CGS § 22a-40), most farming activities are permitted as-of-right in wetlands (though this does not mean no restrictions apply – see this CT DEEP resource for more details). Municipalities should consider setting reasonable standards for storage of manure (x feet from property lines), provisions for drainage (maximum allowable grade), or requiring that animals be fenced.  

Animal Welfare. Just as zoning provides for the public safety and wellbeing of humans, regulations should also maximize animal welfare. As an example, allowing multiple horses to live on a half-acre property could lead to inhumane conditions. A best practice to ensure adequate enclosure- and lot-sizes is to designate a number of square feet/acres per animal. For instance, Bristol’s regulations for 5.4.13 Keeping of Livestock state, “A minimum lot area of 2 acres shall be required for the first animal being kept and 1/3rd acre for each additional animal.” Plymouth also uses a very unique formula with “bird units” in Section K.1.iii that is worth emulating. 

Farm Stands. Allowing the sale of agricultural products, like eggs or honey, by right on residential properties empowers small-scale farmers to earn income. If municipalities are concerned about the operation becoming too commercial for a residential area, a requirement that only products created on the property are allowed for sale can act as a reasonable limitation. Municipalities may consider providing a one-pager with regulations for farmstands to interested resident.

Outreach & Education. Unfortunately, many residents only find out about zoning restrictions after they have already erected a coop or welcomed animals into their family. Widely publicize your regulations and ordinances related to backyard farming or distribute the information to community groups such as 4H clubs or school districts. 

Small-scale farming on residential lots makes our communities more vibrant and sustainable. We can minimize the negative consequences by crafting thoughtful regulations that fit the needs of each community. 

Further reading: 

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The “Sustainability Spotlight” provides readers with ideas on how to incorporate sustainability into your land use regulations. Questions? Contact Christine O’Neill.

People Behind the Plans: Teresa Gallagher, Shelton’s Natural Resource Manager

Teresa Gallagher, Shelton’s Natural Resource Manager, shares her journey into conservation and offers advice for municipalities aiming to deepen their conservation efforts. Read on to learn about her impactful work! 

Eklund Garden at Shelton Lakes. Photo credit: Teresa Gallagher

A Conversation with Teresa Gallagher

Q: How did you get into conservation work?

I was ‘born’ into the work. When I was a child, I had this plastic pool that I would make miniature ecosystems in there. I would have the water ecosystem, a desert right after, and then a forest on the other side. I remember calling them ‘ecosystems’ when I showed my parents. How many people can say they knew what an ‘ecosystem’ was when they were a child?  

I later graduated with a bachelor’s in geology and geophysics and worked for an engineering firm. I then went for my master’s in environmental science and found a job in regulatory compliance for factories. While I learned a lot, I did not feel a sense of accomplishment from the work I was doing. I had previously been a member of the Shelton Conservation Commission, so when I heard they were looking to hire a staff person, I applied. While here, I have seen the impact of the work I am doing; I am outside and doing what I really want to do. 

Q: What role do you play as the Natural Resource Manager in Shelton? How do you support the city, its Commission, and broader community? 

My role as a manager is varied. I am a liaison for board and commission communications in Shelton. I organize and attend department commission and committee meetings and assist in creating events. 

I use the broad knowledge I have built throughout my career to support the management of Shelton’s open space in its flora and fauna to fulfill the needs of the subcommittees. And conveying need-to-know information to the public for their safety around wildlife. 

I also manage the social media pages on Facebook and the blogs for the committees. I update the blog posts with news, events, and important information regarding changes or to highlight a story about the work the committee is doing. The community is a large part of the volunteer work we have for our organizations. 

Q: What commissions or committees does your department support? 

For the Conservation Commission, I support them as a liaison with the other boards and commissions, like the Planning and Zoning Commission.  

For the Trails Committee I help keep the trails clear for use for the season. I conduct trail routing for new recreation trails on newly acquired parcels. This work is incredibly involved especially when considering drainage, topography, landmarks, difficulty level, activity type, and if the land abuts another with an existing trail network. 

For the Garden Committee, I assist with ensuring people are acclimated to care for their plot. With the Anti-Litter Committee, I assist with organizing the annual Shelton Clean Sweep by creating badges for participants and procuring the materials for registered clean-ups. 

Q: What types of activities and events does your department support?

The department supports one commission and three committees. For example, the Trails Committee hosts a variety of hiking events like the annual Trails Hiking Challenge, volunteer-based work parties for trail maintenance, and guided hikes.  

The Anti-litter Committee hosts their Shelton Clean Sweep that picks up litter across Shelton to raise awareness of keeping the outdoors clean. It gathers residents, corporations in town, and community groups. Providing as much information on the registration process and areas to clean is crucial to ensure there is not an overlap between groups.  

There is a balance for open space for people of different interests and abilities. We have accessible recreation paths, mountain biking trails, hiking, walking, conservation, and preservation spaces. It is about, ‘How can we benefit the most amount of people and the wildlife?’ 

Q: What advice do you have for other municipalities looking to engage deeper with conservation work?

Make sure your Conservation Commission is administered separately from your Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, so that projects not related to wetland regulatory issues can be prioritized. Create a working Trails Committee to construct and maintain hiking trails on municipal properties, and make sure they have the tools to do their work. It makes a significant difference in the quality of work they do when they have the municipality’s support behind their projects. 

Volunteers must have a real sense of ownership in the work they do. Volunteers and staff in Shelton have a deep sense of pride in the town and the benefits they offer through their positions on the committees. It is important to foster and encourage the volunteer spirit to keep committees moving forward as models for residents to take pride in and care for the open space in Shelton. 

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The “People Behind the Plans” spotlight features dedicated planners, land use staff, and administrators shaping the region. Are you interested in being interviewed? Would you like to nominate a colleague? Contact Savannah-Nicole (SN) Villalba.

Municipal Land Use Best Practice: Shelton’s Community Engagement for Conservation

The City of Shelton effectively maintains its natural spaces and promotes resident participation through various community-driven events. Read on to learn more about their successful model! 

Shelton Lakes Recreation Path near Lane Street. Photo Credit: Teresa Gallagher, Shelton Conservation Commission

Teresa Gallagher, Natural Resources Manager for the City of Shelton, shared how the drive for conservation, volunteerism, municipal support, and collaboration encourages members of the community to enrich Shelton’s natural landscape. 

As the Natural Resources Manager, Teresa enhances Shelton’s open space program by supporting the Conservation Commission, Trails Committee, Community Garden Committee, and Anti-Litter Committee. On behalf of these committees, she coordinates a variety of activities, social media relations, committee updates, and annual events to engage the community in conservation work. 

Some of these events include the annual Trails Hiking Challenge that encourages people to explore Shelton’s 26.2-miles of recreational trails. The Shelton Clean Sweep, hosted by the Anti-Litter Committee, spurs people to go out and pick up trash from public lands and road systems to raise awareness of littering and to encourage keeping the environment clean for everyone’s enjoyment. The Community Garden Committee gives residents the opportunity to grow their own vegetables in a community garden and to become part of a group of gardeners who maintain the garden’s plot.  

Teresa noted that a vast network of municipal staff, committee and community members, and organizations, like the Shelton Land Trust and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, all work together to create a space of collaboration and communication. She explained that in order to create a committed group of volunteers, it is important to foster, model, and support the volunteer spirit. This facilitates meaningful engagement with the public and shows appreciation for their hard work.  Much of her day is hands-on field work on the trails and gardens, addressing gaps and issues that are beyond the scope of volunteers or that must be addressed urgently. 

Shelton’s highly collaborative conservation approach, including the Natural Resources Manager role and committed commission and committees, supports a strong sense of ownership and value in the community. In this way, community members have many opportunities to enjoy conservation-oriented outdoor activities, events, and amenities in their municipality.  

Stay Connected

Contact the City of Shelton, located at 54 Hill St, Shelton, CT 06484. Telephone:  (203) 924-1555 

Teresa Gallagher, Natural Resource Manager, City of Shelton (Email)

Learn more about Shelton’s Conversation Commission. 

Explore a range of valuable resources and NVCOG projects on the Shelton NVCOG web page. 

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The “Municipal Land Use Best Practice” spotlight features an exemplary initiative from a municipality in the region. Do you have a tool or practice that you would like to share that works for your municipality? Contact Emely Ricci.

Sustainability Spotlight: Blight and Native Landscaping

Dive into the ‘Sustainability Spotlight’ by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, a municipal guide to blending sustainability with land use regulations. Uncover creative ideas and hands-on approaches to foster a greener, more sustainable future. 
 
Written by Christine O’Neill, Environmental Planner II

Many Connecticut municipalities have adopted blight ordinances to regulate unsightly properties that lower surrounding home values or create public health and safety issues. Such ordinances may be enforced by zoning officials, the police department, or a combination of the two. While these regulations serve an important role, they may unwittingly outlaw native landscaping from your community. 

Native landscaping uses plants that have historically grown in a given area to achieve ecological benefits. Native plants provide food for pollinators and wildlife, require less watering and maintenance than ornamental counterparts, and launch deeper root systems that prevent erosion and exchange nutrients with the soil. Another component of native landscaping is maintaining or emulating the natural processes of the ecosystem, such as not raking leaves in the fall or cutting back dormant plants. Two movements associated with native landscaping are “No Mow May” (allowing insects to emerge from overwintering while providing food sources for early pollinators) and “Leave the Leaves” (intentionally leaving layers of leaf-litter and duff, which are valuable for soil health, insect and amphibian habitat, and wildlife cover).   

Embracing the beauty of an untamed garden, a West Hartford resident participates in the No Mow May initiative. Source: CT Insider
Embracing the beauty of an untamed garden, a West Hartford resident participates in the No Mow May initiative. Source: CT Insider
A native garden in Wolcott with “overgrown” plants. Source: Christine O'Neill
A native garden in Wolcott with “overgrown” plants. Source: Christine O'Neill
Local ordinances label leaves as "rubbish," potentially marking a property as blighted. Yet, leaves are crucial winter insulation for wildlife. Source: Xerces Society
Local ordinances label leaves as "rubbish," potentially marking a property as blighted. Yet, leaves are crucial winter insulation for wildlife. Source: Xerces Society

Compared to the highly manicured gardening we often see, a native garden may look unruly – even falling into the definition of blight. Several municipalities in our region consider the following to be elements of blight: overgrown vegetation, leaf litter, grasses over a given number of inches, and “weeds.1”  

Consider amending your definition of blight to exclude native landscaping as described above. The Town of Cheshire in our region already excludes “areas maintained in their original naturally wooded state, or a natural field state” from its definition, while the City of Stamford carves out an exemption for “managed natural meadow landscapes.” Confer with your municipal counsel to ensure your proposed language is legally sound and enforceable.  

[1] Note: “Weeds” does not refer to any particular group of plants – it is a descriptive term used to characterize any plants that are undesirable in a given environment. One neighbor’s weed is another neighbor’s wildflower.

Please send any questions or suggestions to Christine O’Neill, Environmental Planner II at coneill@nvcogct.gov.