Growing in Detroit

On August 1st, Detroiters took part in the 10th annual Urban Garden Tour, sponsored by the Detroit Agricultural Network (DAN).

This year’s tour provided a close-up view of the emerging fresh, organic food system in Detroit, which is providing hope and nutrition to many.  From hearty greens at the Earth Works farm on the East Side to a Native American medicine wheel garden at Romanowski Farm Park in Southwest Detroit, tour participants witnessed the conversion of vacant and under-utilized land to prosperous urban agricultural sites. This year’s tour showcased pesticide-free produce, which is becoming available to consumers at local farmers’ market through the “Grown in Detroit” label.

Sisters Cycling Bicycle Club and Back Alley Bikes provided support and assistance on the bike tour.

The Detroit Agriculture Network's Jeff Klein says that over 60 people joined the tour on bikes, while over 350 went on two separate bus tours — one that took in the East Side and another the West Side. The tours all began at the Catherine Ferguson Academy and passed through gardens in the central city, including the Cass Corridor — now known as Midtown — Woodbridge and greater Corktown.

"Adding the bike tour made the day even more special,"Klein says. "We can see how the urban garden and farm movement is growing. It is, absolutely. More and more people are finding out about the fresh foods that are being grown in Detroit."

The Detroit Agriculture Network's mission is dedicated to urban agriculture and the sustainable use and appreciation of urban natural resources. The Detroit Agriculture Network, the Greening of Detroit, Earth Works Garden and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and the Michigan State Extension work collaboratively to support community, school and family gardens in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck.

To participate in future programs or to learn more about urban gardening in the city, visit the Garden Resource Program Collaborative.

Enjoy the photo essay.

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All Photographs Copyright Dave Krieger