Project team

Head: Urban Growth Farms

Project description and goals

The project intends to expand an existing and successful urban garden that has brought ecological, nutritional, and economic diversity to an Ohio City neighborhood. With the expansion of our garden, the goals of the project will be to increase capacity so as to add to our exisiting customer base, which includes a number of restaurants and a local food programmer.  Goals involve increasing both environmental and social capital within the neighborhood, as well as deepening the base of the local food network.

Existing conditions

The vacant lot is located on W. 47th street between Bridge and Lorain Ave.  The site was chosen because it is located near the exisiting garden site, not to mention the community support that was received during the door-knocking stages of the proposal.  The lot has little obstruction overhead, quality soil, and much room for growth, which only further adds to the feasibility of the site regarding implementation.  The lot is bordered to north by another vacant lot, and to the south rests an abandoned residence.

Proposed interventions

The team members are well-versed in all aspects of urban ag, making the soil prep and planting a first stage as opposed to getting caught up to speed. Once the land is prepared, vegetation will include both an expansion and diversification of the group’s existing crops, with vegetable beds and fruit trees and bushes making up the bulk of the crop.  Specifically, foods will include: carrots, beets, lettuce, beans, apples, plums, raspberries, and blackberries. As with the existing garden, wooden compost areas will be built to allow organic stacking, and a small hoop house will be constructed to facilitate the growth of seedlings as well as to extend the garden season into early spring and late fall.

Site maintenance

Since the project is a for-profit operation, regular maintenance is crucial for the crop’s potential.  As such, the schedule will be based off the working model used for the existing garden site, which includes planting on the weekends, harvesting during the week (Wed. and Fri. mornings), and weeding and watering as needed. Watering will be accomplished through an underground irrigation system that will be installed as part of the operating budget.