Resources

Raising Chickens in Chicago:

Belmont Feed and Seed (Facebook) - This is where we purchased our Red Star hens as baby chicks.  Best place to buy baby chicks in chicago.

Chicago Pet Direct:  This guy delivers chicken feed (and bails of straw, wood chips, etc) right to your door for less than you can go and buy it yourself (at Chicago prices).  He provides great service and we highly recommend him.

Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts - Great sourc for finding information on raising chickens in Chicago.  You can usually find an answer here to just about any question you may have on the topic.

Gardening in Chicago:

Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program -- The city offers rebates for the purchase of native plants, rain barrels, compost bins and trees in an effort to manage rainwater. It also offers instructions on planting a rain garden in your backyard.

Peterson Garden Project -- We're lucky to be near several community vegetable gardens that have been started by this group. It is so nice to see vacant lots being put to such good use.

Urban Habitat Chicago -- This organization helped our children's school, Jamieson Elementary, design a new green playground. They also oversaw the school's successful planting day last Sunday.

Building Your Own Furniture:

Ana-White.com - You don't have to be a professional woodworker to build great, functional furniture.  This website is amazing!  It has free, detailed plans for building great-looking, solid wood furniture.  No more cheap crap from IKEA!


Recommended Books On Our Bookshelf:

Folks, This Ain't Normal by Joel Salatin

How to Brew by John J. Palmer

Thriving Beyond Sustainability by Andres R. Edwards

The Urban Homestead by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen

Your Farm in the City by Lisa Taylor

Living Simply with Children by Marie Sherlock

Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen

All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

Atlas of American Agriculture: The American Cornucopia by Richard Pillsbury and John Florin

Rodale's Low-Maintenance Landscaping

Perennials for Illinois by William Aldrich and Don Williamson

Living the Good Life with Helen and Scott Nearing

Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe