In the latest edition of “Urban and Suburban Agriculture – In the news” initiatives are passed, resolutions are made, food is grown, and communities are built and strengthened through local food production. Everything from livestock in suburbia to fish farms in Baltimore - where and how we feed ourselves is changing, creating a swell of ideas and innovation.
An apt example can be found in Detroit where a new compost - or “black gold” depending on the circles you run in - center has made a deal with both the local zoo and mounted division of the Police department:
Enjoy -
MARYLAND
Fish aren't just for the Chesapeake Bay anymore – welcome to aquaponics!
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Baltimore native fishing in the Middle Branch - he claimed he ate fish from this spot often, I don't know if he was aware of, or cared about, the three adjacent brownfield sites known to be leaching toxins into the water. - Summer 2009 |
Local entrepreneurs, universities, traditional farmers, and residents are undertaking a whole-cycle approach to farming. By growing fish, commonly tilapia, and cycling the soiled tank water to plant beds, a two-tiered approach to urban agriculture produces both vegetables and protein.
The well-documented environmental challenges of the Chesapeake Bay have taken a toll on the local seafood market, so culturally ingrained in the area. Urban waterways have been considered un-fishable for decades, although some residents (such as the one pictured above) continue to eat what they catch, due to lack of accessible, affordable options, or ignorance of the health issues. As this industry develops it has the potential to offset what seafood the bay can no longer supply in commercially viable quantities.
A similar system in Kansas City, Missouri has powered an urban pioneering movement in neighborhoods associated with high crime rates and blight. In conjunction with a local church, new residents have had their efforts supported by grants for growing food. The subsequent community-building has proven to be potent force in combating dysfunctional and decrepit neighborhoods. While the land use may not be typical, or appropriate in higher value neighborhoods, ares in decline provide an opportunity to test new ideas. Said in another way – when the bar is already set low, anything has to be better than what exists now:
As Dave Love so aptly points out,"It's sort of like the next step into urban agriculture,"
NEW JERSEY
Cape May considers the keeping of chickens, rabbits and bees on suburban lots.
Following the lead of cities like Cleveland, Ohio, Portland, Oregon, and a neighboring township, the city board had a “discussion” on the issues. Amongst the concerns, avian flu, which I understand is rather rare.
We aren't talking about pig farms here (http://www.eagletribune.com/haverhill/x1304575207/City-to-develop-rules-for-pig-farms ), the relative noise or smell emanating from a rabbit hutch or chicken coop (minus the roosters) would be minimal, if even noticeable. Citing “tough economic times” and an interest in local food production, the board appears open to new ideas and updating legislation.
We aren't talking about pig farms here (http://www.eagletribune.com/haverhill/x1304575207/City-to-develop-rules-for-pig-farms ), the relative noise or smell emanating from a rabbit hutch or chicken coop (minus the roosters) would be minimal, if even noticeable. Citing “tough economic times” and an interest in local food production, the board appears open to new ideas and updating legislation.
The issue of beekeeping seemed less an issue than the chickens and rabbits, as several experts from around the state weighed in and established that keeping bees in dense areas poses few problems.
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In finishing up, we are left with some beekeeping philosophy: “ 'As our country and our club move forward to resolve life’s numerous issues, ask yourself, ‘What would bees do?’ When a task seems too difficult, remember that through a unified effort, any task can be accomplished. Any wrong can be righted. Progress is possible,' wrote Belsen on the New Jersey Beekeepers Association website.”
CALIFORNIA
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The valley in question - I can't blame the open-space preservationists too much, it looks quite nice. |
http://www.arounddublinblog.com/2011/12/save-mount-diablo-call-new-farm-tassajara-valley-illegal/
There is no better way to loose support for a good idea than by associating it with corruption. Such is the story of a new development in Contra Costa County, California.
The concept is a good one, and one being implemented with some success in other areas around the country – to build subdivision that integrate active agriculture amongst the homes, creating a hyper-local foodshed, an agriculturally aware community, and, in certain markets, and marketable amenity. Developments of this type vary greatly in how extensive the agriculture is (orchards vs. corn/soy/wheat vs. individual plots) and level of resident involvement (tenant farmers vs. on-site housing for labor population vs. homeowner participation), and often it is some mix of these practices to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.
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An abandoned golf course - here, a clear lesson in biodiversity. |
Gone are the days of communities oriented around a manicured golf green. The WSJ ran this article describing the marketability of mixing agriculture and suburban development, and its predicted future growth:
It would be easy to dismiss this as “green-washing” sprawl, and to some extent these projects may be doing just this. What a hasty dismissal fails to realize are two things: housing market forces, and intermediate steps toward a more sustainable housing model. The vast majority of the home-buying public is not ready to be so close to their sustenance. The idea of living in the midst of active agriculture is romantic to some, yet raises skepticism amongst many who see it as 'backwards' and an inappropriate living arrangement; citing smell, noise, machinery, aesthetics, and a host of other issues. Planning and designing with this in mind, these communities have the potential to be very pleasant and enlightening places to live.
In Contra Costa, the idea never stood a chance. On top of resistance from a local open-space preservation group , the project has links to a developer with a history of corrupting public officials. The combined public outcry over the nature of the development, and those associated with it, pose a real set of challenges for pushing this project forward.
For more on the idea of “Agriburbia” :
CUBA
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Nobody said anything about organic... |
The small island nation could have easily earned it's own post this time around.
Both external pressures and internal need has propelled Cuba as a perennial leader in urban agriculture.
On top of some impressive yield statistics, Cuba continues to implement practices such as “the incorporation of idle land in usufruct”, recapturing irrigation water, seed saving/exchange, and “ animal-drawn vehicles”.
I would predict a few issues arising with the “use of more oxen” in North American cities. An interesting case could be made for the use of working animals and large livestock in American suburbs - lawn grazing, fertilizer source, food source – but most would file this vision of the future under 'apocalyptic scenarios'.
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An upscale villa in Dubai with it's own livestock - http://an-englishman-in-dubai.blogspot.com/2007/05/midtown-mirdiff.html |
In the case of developed countries agriculture in dense areas must compete with a certain vision of what a 'city' or 'neighborhood' should look like. Obviously, there is a great range of what people consider to be an appropriate standard of living. In a place where large livestock and working animals are already an integrated part of life, as transportation and food, to say they can be a part of urban agriculture would be redundant. In order to ensure the livestock is utilized to its fullest potential, integrating their food and waste streams into an agricultural cycle within the city creates more value.
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A lesson for Cuba in Detroit? |
An apt example can be found in Detroit where a new compost - or “black gold” depending on the circles you run in - center has made a deal with both the local zoo and mounted division of the Police department:
More research to be done on this. Beyond poultry, rabbits, and bees urban livestock deserves another look.
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An urban shepherd and his flock, Egypt - http://www.readabroadegypt.com/2010/11/another-holiday-and-oblivious-urban.html |
In Cuba's goal to become food independent is critical for the number of political and geographic reasons. Sanctions and embargoes have created an extra layer of isolation compounding the insular nature of island economies. Faced with limited resources, Cuba has developed their food and land use policies with the goal of maximizing what resources they have. The UN FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) continues to provide food assistance to supplement the efforts on the island – which you can read about here:
and here:
Recent efforts have also focused on the growing of wine grapes as well. Prepare to enjoy a glass of 'Guantanamo Muscat' with your next stogie:
also, for further reading on the subject:
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All of these disparate places, each rising to meet a local need and create local solutions, are part of a larger puzzle. As our food/land dynamic shits so do cultures and people. Farming in dense areas is a hyper-local activity by its very nature. No matter if the producer is first in a wave of urban pioneers or simply practicing local customs as they have been done for hundreds of years, it is critical to learn from the success and failures of each situation around the globe.
Come back soon for more update!
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