the second largest hydroponic grower in North America - is relocating its headquarters to Lake Mary, Fla., with a $140,000 capital investment.

With their back office already located in Metro Orlando, Village Farms will expand their presence and move their headquarters from New Jersey to Florida. They plan to hire up to 21 new positions over the next three years at wages 200% higher than the average wage for Seminole County.

Under the program, chickens are allowed in 11 Florida cities, including Miami, St. Petersburg and Key West.

Residents will be allowed to keep up to three hens. Roosters are not allowed.

Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan helped to spearhead the pilot program. She said she is getting her yard ready for a chicken coop and fence.

a nonprofit farm dedicated to helping low income people eat healthy. At Lockhart Acres Farm, Regina and others grow all organic foods during a specific season. Other people come in to work the farm collectively in exchange for produce. In the near future there will be a farm-stand where they will be accepting food-stamps. The land will soon be welcoming chickens, and other animals as well.

Amid this 11-hectare expanse of ancient rusting machinery, waste piles and grinding construction equipment is a converted brick sugar warehouse where a team of Swedes and Brits are poring over blueprints and renderings. LandProp Services bought the land in 2009. Their vision is to turn this grey netherworld, once planning approval is done, into a tightly packed neighbourhood they’ll call Strand East.

According to the group, allowing chickens would (1) provide a source of no-cost, organic, cruelty-free eggs, (2) reduce the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers, (3) benefit the environment and local food initiatives, (4) give residents the option to own a great new kind of pet.