New city ordinance forces family to destroy their vegetable garden | General Homesteading Discussion | Forums

What a bunch of crap, I hope they win this fight

SUGAR CREEK, Mo. - There’s a new ordinance in Sugar Creek, Missouri, that restricts the use of agriculture on properties in the city.

Nathan Athans believes it’s a witch hunt against him.

Athans grows several different types of vegetables on his lawn and loves tending to his garden.

“I'd probably say about 300 hours [so far this year], I spend all my free time out here,” Athans said.

He believes it’s important for his family. “I want my family to know where their food is coming from, I don't want to have to go to the grocery store and worry about what was done to that food.”

However, neighbors and city officials don’t see the garden the same way. Last summer the city cited Athans for weeds in his garden but he said he complied.

“We did it, completely weed-free, we paid our citation,” he said.

The city’s building official, Paul Loving, argued otherwise. “I don't know that there would have been a problem with them had the gardens been well kept, they weren't.”

The new ordinance specifies that vegetation must be 30 feet from the street.

more http://www.kshb.com/news/region-missouri/new-city-ordinance-forces-family-to-destroy-their-vegetable-garden