It’s all about strength in numbers.

At least that’s part of the idea behind a merger of two local groups advocating the same local food movement.

The Hens in Lakewood group has actively been promoting a pilot program that would allow three Lakewood families to raise hens in their backyards.

The Lakewood Earth and Food community — an organization dedicated sustainable, local and fresh food — officially joined the cause.

The LEAF board members agreed at a recent meeting to form a livestock subcommittee to bring in members of Hens in Lakewood — and address their concerns.

“Our mission is to help people grow their own food," said LEAF board member Annie Stahlheber. “Hens in Lakewood is a part of that."

“It just makes sense.”

Organizers hope that by working together, among other objectives, they can convince skeptics on city council to allow the pilot program to move forward.

In November, three families were given a verbal commitment by Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers to begin a pilot project to raise a few hens in their backyards.

But days later, a measure was introduced at city council that would take away the mayor’s ability to make an exemption on the ordinance banning chickens in the city.

For now, Summers has backed off of his pledge to allow the pilot project to move forward while council sorts out the issue.

Hens in Lakewood members have spent the past several months working with the city's Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board, which gave its unanimous support in September. 

Members of LEAF and Hens in Lakewood have been communicating with each other throughout the process.

“We all want the same thing,” said Hens in Lakewood member April Stoltz. “We are articulating the same cause, so I believe there’s power in numbers.”

“We are part of the local food movement, so why not be join the local food movement?”

Stahlheber said that she's been impressed with how well the Hens in Lakewood group was able to quickly mobilize.

“We were very impressed with them as a group," she said. "It was an easy decision for LEAF."