Detroit Agriculture Network will hold its annual garden tour on August 1.
Excerpt:
When it comes to potential for gardening, Detroit is a land of vast
opportunity. The city owns 20,000 vacant parcels that are available
free by permit for gardening during one growing season, according to
James Canning, deputy press secretary for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. He
says the city is considering creating several community gardens that
could be open next spring.
Ashley Atkinson of the Detroit Agriculture Network says she would like
the city to provide longer lot leases, allow fences and provide water
sources to encourage gardeners willing to invest time, money and
inspiration on lots.
Some of that investment could pay off as demand increases for locally
grown food. The Henry Ford, for example, now buys 70% of its produce,
grain and meat from local farmers, according to Susan Schmidt, director
of food services and catering.
"If we can get food locally, instead of shipped from God-knows-where,
with the fuel to get it here, the more the better," she says.
Read the entire article
here. Call Atkinson at 313-237-8733 to register for the tour.
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