Hen Hopefuls: Frank And Jen Revy

The Hens in Lakewood committee is highlighting some "hen hopefuls", so that Lakewood can learn about who wants hens, and why. Frank and Jen Revy, are our featured family of this issue, with others in the coming weeks.

What street do you live on? Riverway Drive.

How long have you lived in Lakewood? Frank: I was born and raised here, bought my first house in Cleveland about 10 years ago, and moved back July of 2011 with Jen and the kids.

Why do you choose to live in Lakewood? Frank and Jen: great schools and a wonderful, open minded, diverse, interesting community.

Why do you want to raise hens in Lakewood? Frank and Jen: We have committed our property to an edible food forest using permaculture and its principles of ecological soundness that promotes economically prosperous human communities. Hens are a part of our commitment towards self sufficiency. It makes us less dependendent on factory farmed agriculture. The hens provide natural, and organic fertilizer, therefore they are an important link to the lush and edible plantscape we envision. They are a natural pest deterrent, they gobble up carpenter ants like crazy! And finally, fresh and organic eggs - will make our neighbors quite happy when we start sharing it with them.

Why do you think Lakewood is a community that should allow responsible hen keeping? Frank and Jen: All communities should. We have reached a critical point in our human history. We need to prepare now for the new future of dwindling and exhausted resources and the uncertainty that climate change brings. Our past, is now our future. We need to see how our ancestors lived before industrialization changed everything, and we need to incorporate that into our daily modern life. Hens are a small, but integral part of this new reality we face.

Do you want to mention anything else? Frank: I love Lakewood. I am so happy and grateful to be back.