“We did try to hear from people in every ward,” Vatterott said. “(The hope is) if we are able to put together a comprehensive urban agriculture bill in 2017, the aldermen will be receptive based on the information we presented them.”

Vatterott said those behind the survey wanted to identify obstacles to urban food production and to be sensitive to what residents want, especially in areas with vacant land.

She said a lot of respondents expressed a desire for urban agriculture projects to more directly involve those in the surrounding neighborhood as opposed to outsiders.

"Let's provide the opportunity for residents to do it on certain land and give preference to them over nonresidents," said Vatterott, summarizing the widely held viewpoint.

She hopes the survey signals that the city should further promote the urban agriculture phenomenon.

"The movement is growing and I think the survey demonstrates that there's interest," said Vatterott.

"I'm not saying people should have 20 chickens," she adds. "Certain activities, within reason, we think we should be able to facilitate through policy."

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