Urban farming a growing trend in Ohio

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, urban farming and gardening is improving the quality of vacant land and providing high-quality food to city dwellers in Cleveland and Youngstown, and will soon do so in Akron as well.

Thanks to enthusiasm and support from partners in the Summit Food Policy Coalition, a group started last year to address food access in Summit County, Akron is jumping on the urban farming band wagon. The Summit Urban Farming Initiative (SUFI), a seven-week training program, will begin in March at the Akron General Wellness Center in Bath Township...

Prospective or current urban farmers are being sought for the program to develop for-profit or not-for-profit agricultural enterprises in Akron and Summit County.

John Moore, director of Akron's planning department, said, ''This program will expose city residents to the necessity and lucrative nature of urban farming. The marketing, accounting, social as well as other business skills learned through this program will be valuable to the participants regardless of their final career path.''

The training will help participants refine plans for agricultural endeavors, whether they hope to develop market gardens, pick-your-own mini-farms or CSA operations. Sessions will be taught by farming experts from OSU Extension, the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, other farm-related organizations and successful urban farmers.

The goal of the SUFI program is simple: to bring more agricultural enterprises into Akron on both private property and city-owned vacant land. SUFI sponsors hope to be able to offer mini-grants in 2011 to help participants develop or enhance their urban farms. The hope is that in time, Akron residents looking for fresh, local food may have to go no further than just down the street.

This can be one of the best ways to prepare for the economic collapse, because we will then depend on our neighbors instead of faraway food sources. I hope the concept can soon spread to other cities in Ohio!