OCTOBER 29, 2024 |
Photo – HEM mascot – Bigfoot99 file photo
The governing body of Hanna officially changed the town’s rules to allow 4H and FFA students to keep livestock at the HEM high school.
Back in August, Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow High School Principal Eli Hobbs asked the Hanna town council to allow him to build a livestock barn on school property. Principal Hobbs explained that the barn will enable students who don’t have access to ranch land to participate in the 4H and FFA agriculture programs.
The HEM High School, located at 701 South Adams Street in Hanna, is within town limits. At the August town council meeting, Mayor Jayson Nordquist said keeping farm animals at the school violates the town’s existing zoning ordinances.
At the time, the Hanna town council agreed that they were not willing to amend the ordinances or offer a variance to allow the school to house livestock. The matter was tabled until different arrangements could be made.
Members of the governing body appeared to change their minds as a resolution to amend the town’s animal ordinance was introduced during the September 10th town council meeting. Mayor Nordquist specified that Ordinance 407 only applies to the HEM High School.
All ordinance amendments must be read three times during three separate public meetings before being adopted into law.
At the October 8th Hanna town council meeting, Clerk Vivian Gonzales read Ordinance 407 for the third and final time. Clerk Gonzales said the amended ordinance allows the HEM High School to keep a maximum of ten 4H and FFA livestock animals each year.
The town council specified that chickens do not count toward the high school’s ten animal limit. If students wish to keep chickens, a separate permit will need to be obtained.
The governing body unanimously voted to approve Ordinance 407 on the third and final reading, officially authorizing HEM High School to house 4H and FFA livestock on school grounds.
The next step is for the school to build a livestock barn. Principal Hobbs told Bigfoot99 that supplies are on order. Construction of the barn is expected to begin in late spring or early summer of next year.
