DEERFIELD — No action was taken at a Nov. 19 Deerfield Village Council meeting that was called to discuss ordinances related to livestock and farming. Resident Andrew Noune has been petitioning the village for the past four years for changes that would allow him to open an educational farm on East River Street. 

In addition to Noune, who voiced his frustration with village officials, the council heard from residents on both sides of the farming question. One resident presented the council with a petition from residents who would like to be able to keep chickens, and another spoke of the benefits of allowing people to produce their own food. 

On the other side, two residents said that livestock doesn’t belong in the village limits and that farming should take place in the country.

Attorney Fred Lucas noted that there is a conflict between two of the village’s ordinances. One regulation forbids chickens within the village limits, while a separate zoning ordinance allows farming in residential districts with planning commission approval, and lists poultry in its definition of farming.