John Mason reports in the Register Star Hudson residents will now be allowed to keep up to five hens on their property, if Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. signs the local law approved by the Common Council Tues., June 18. The so-called Chicken Law passed by 12 weighted votes, a very narrow margin. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has called Hudson a food desert, indicating there are no or limited outlets for good, fresh food to be purchased within the boundaries of the city. Allowing people to raise their own chickens will help them meet their needs for quality, cost-effective nutrition and reconnect urban populations with the agricultural basis of our food, according to the law. Read the full story in the Register Star.