When was the last time you borrowed an egg from your neighbor? Do you even know your neighbor? The Bay Area city of Albany is a forward thinking place where great ideas are hatched. In the recent city recreation guide residents were informed that they can keep 6 hens (no roosters) in their yard for personal egg consumption. Keeping a coop creates neighborhood opportunities. You and your neighbors can share a coop or maybe you provide the coop and a neighbor provides the range. Either way, six hens produce 28 eggs on average per week, enough to go around. And you form a closer bond with your neighbors. That's good for building a stronger community in Albany.

Many cities actually allow backyard hens, though residents aren't aware. With extra eggs at your disposal and your new-found status trading backyard eggs, fruits and vegetables, you've started a chain reaction. When neighbors interact, connections are formed between people and trust is built. Such social capital can lead to a stronger, safer community, a community where its members have a greater sense of belonging, and democracy works at a local level.