Turning vacant lots to urban agricultural farms
There is too much vacant land in West Englewood. In order to solve West Englewood's food desert problem, we should turn vacant lots and lands into community gardens in order to provide affordable food for our community. This project can improve the health of residents, provide jobs and community service hours, increase the development of the neighborhood's economic, and provide a sense of pride into the community. It also makes use of the available vacant land.
In Detroit, a program called SHAR assisted by businesses and universities, opened Detroit's largest Urban Farm using 30 acres of vacant land. In six months, SHAR created 150 jobs; and calculates that 2,500-3,500 full time jobs will be created for low income residents in approximately ten years. Converting vacant land into urban farms beautifies the neighborhood. It also increases the property value of the land surrounding it. In New York building a community garden increase the property value of its environment up 9%.
It takes a lot to develop an urban farm. Money needs to be spent on getting tools, seeds, and soil; soil must also be tested for contamination so toxins won't be found in food. There is also a need for refrigeration, sorting/packing facilities, delivery areas, and compost areas. Tapping into the water lines needed can be very expensive. To help with all these expenses government grants, loans, and public services can be applied for. City and policies must be followed and City permits applied for to also save money on expenses. Money can also be saved if farmers share expenses such as insurance, transportation, water bills, and sorting and distributing systems.
In Detroit, a program called SHAR assisted by businesses and universities, opened Detroit's largest Urban Farm using 30 acres of vacant land. In six months, SHAR created 150 jobs; and calculates that 2,500-3,500 full time jobs will be created for low income residents in approximately ten years. Converting vacant land into urban farms beautifies the neighborhood. It also increases the property value of the land surrounding it. In New York building a community garden increase the property value of its environment up 9%.
It takes a lot to develop an urban farm. Money needs to be spent on getting tools, seeds, and soil; soil must also be tested for contamination so toxins won't be found in food. There is also a need for refrigeration, sorting/packing facilities, delivery areas, and compost areas. Tapping into the water lines needed can be very expensive. To help with all these expenses government grants, loans, and public services can be applied for. City and policies must be followed and City permits applied for to also save money on expenses. Money can also be saved if farmers share expenses such as insurance, transportation, water bills, and sorting and distributing systems.