By Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

The chickens have come home to roost in Sumner.

Following a special meeting Sept. 29, the Sumner City Council approved a measure allowing Councilman Randy Hynek to move a city shed on the community farm site.

The farm is located on the west side of the Sumner cemetery and the community garden at 245 Valley Ave.

The shed on the farm site will be used for chickens.

Hynek pointed out the “chicken team was donating money out of their own pockets” for the chickens.

The councilman noted the chicken manure will be used as fertilizer for the community garden.

“This manure will be composted and made into a tea,” Hynek said. “It will be sprayed on the field and tilled in.”

Hynek also said food and eggs from the project will be given to the food bank.

The community garden and farm was started by Hynek in February. The council members agreed to give the project $2,000 this year and the councilman was hoping to convince the body spend the same amount in 2009.

Deputy Mayor Leroy Goff expressed his concern about the project.

“I have a different vision and I’m entitled to that,” Goff said. “In my vision we are making a big mistake. It will expand every year. It will get bigger and bigger. I think we are getting too big talking about chickens and orchards.”

Mayor Dave Enslow had reservations, but noted, “Randy has a vision and it has really turned into a great vision, although I’m not crazy about the chickens.”

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.