Bringing in the Green: An Assessment of Entrepreneurial Urban Agriculture

Transcription

1 Bringing in the Green: An Assessment of Entrepreneurial Urban Agriculture Jim Cohen, Program Director Alison Wakefield, Master of Community Planning Candidate Urban Studies and Planning Program University of Maryland College Park

2 Organization of the Presentation Purpose of the research Research methodology Literature review Introduction to the 3 study cities Entrepreneurial urban agriculture (EUA) typologies and examples Findings Next steps

3 Purpose of the Research Objectives: Explore forms of EUA in Boston, Philadelphia, and Detroit Examine challenges facing each EUA typology Recommended roles of local government and universities

4 Methodology Literature and web-based review Selection of cities Review of key indicators for case cities Inductive study through key informant interviews and other information sources

5 Urban Agriculture Literature Review Urban agriculture: a historic part of city life in America More recently found to be a remedy for: Urban blight Crime Food deserts Poor health Social isolation Disenfranchisement Environmental degradation

6 Entrepreneurial Urban Agriculture (EUA) Definition of entrepreneurial urban agriculture Kaufman and Bailkey(2000) report on EUA Limited research focusing on EUA Feenstra, McGrew, and Campbell: study of 27 entrepreneurial community gardens nationwide Kaufman and Bailkey: study of 70 EUA farms/gardens nationwide

7 Study Cities Boston Detroit Philadelphia 1950 Population 801,444 1,849,568 2,071, Population 1 697,197 1,670,144 2,002, Population 617, ,777 1,526,006 Unemployment Rate 6.3% 13.5% 7.5% (2010) Median Household (HH) Income 3 $50,684 $28,357 $36,251 % of Population with a High School Diploma or Less 39.3% 57.2% 56.2% % of HH using SNAP Benefits % 31.5% 17.6% % of HH below Poverty 15.9% 29.4% 20% Line in Last 12 Months 3 % Vacant Housing Units Total # and Size of Vacant Properties 9.1% 25.8% 14.1% No data 31,123; 3,589 acres (city-owned only) 7 40,000; 3,555 acres

8 Study Cities Boston Long history of urban agriculture Mayor & BRA actively leading and supporting UA Philadelphia UA driven largely by PHS, early on Limited govt. engagement Detroit Largely driven by community and environmental nonprofits Challenges for UA related to city zoning and Michigan s Right to Farm Law

9 Typologies FOR-PROFIT, NON-SOCIAL MISSION Profit Generation FOR-PROFIT, SOCIAL MISSION COOPERATIVES COMMUNITY GARDENS Social Mission Empowerment Selfsufficiency NON-PROFITS S C A L E INDIVIDUALS

10 Individuals Individuals or families Micro-scale ( 1 acre) Objectives: Income from sale of produce Greening vacant properties Raise awareness of local food, environment, and nutrition

11 Rising Pheasant Farms, Detroit 1/6 of an acre on 2 vacant lots Does not own property Vegetables, berries, ornamental flowers Sales outlets: Weekly farm stand Farmer s market Multi-farm CSA Says her family is making a living from farming

12 Community Gardens Non-profits or informal structure Small scale Objectives: Strengthening neighborhood ties Food generation Use of vacant land Community greening Healthy food in food deserts Community organizing Donate or sell excess food

13 Georgia Street Community Garden, Detroit Redevelop neighborhood, improve quality of life, engage youth Vegetables, chickens, goats, a park, an orchard Library, media center, venue for community events Market stand to sell produce Youth training on cultivation, harvest, processing with adult mentors

14 Non-profit Organizations Small -medium scale non-profits Objectives: Empowerment of farm workers Teach entrepreneurial and life skills Target specific populations Sell produce and generate revenue, but not primary focus

15 Teens 4 Good, Philadelphia Four sites ranging from 1/5 ½ acre Vegetables, orchard, one value-add product Sell produce at full cost, reduced cost, and donate Not close to covering costs through sales, not their objective Youth empowerment and teaching teens life and business skills Employs 35 youth interns/summer

16 Cooperative Medium scale Objectives: Run a profitable business Generate wealth Localize business Employee-owners share farm s revenue Profit driven

17 Grown in Detroit Coop, Detroit 60+ family, community, and school gardens Members pool produce for sale at farmers markets and to retail outlets and restaurants

18 Social Enterprises Medium to large scale For-profit with a social mission Objectives: Run a successful business Benefiting the community is equally as important

19 Higher Ground Farm, Boston Rooftop farm and shipping container aquaponics Employ people between 5 farms Will sell to restaurants, markets, and other outlets Partner with universities for education and research Build a local, green economy through a business

20 For-profit, commercial Large scale Profit driven Objectives: Run a successful business

21 HantzFarms, Detroit Proposed 200 acre farm on public and private land Grow and harvest hardwood trees Working with Michigan State University and the city to develop the MetroFoodPlusInnovation Detroit Met with skepticism by community and other UA leaders

22 City Support Supportive zoning ordinances Right of first refusal when farming public lands Land set asides Study economic potential of EUA Study how residents best benefit from sale of vacant land Provide access to water Source institutional food from area EUA projects Relax restrictions for entrepreneurial activity

23 University Support Technical assistance Testing and improving soil quality Pest management Recommendations of suitable varietals Research on UA s economic potential Student assistance through experiential learning

24 Challenges with Financing Social enterprise financing gap Funding operational costs Long-term funding needed Small grants are common but costly UA has unique cash flow challenges Limited business skills of managers/founders

25 No one best model Each EUA type fills a different need But potential conflicts between affordability, profit, living wage employment, and community empowerment Examples from Detroit: Earthworks Farms Recovery Park Hantz Farms

26 Foci for Continuing Research Baltimore to be added Expansion and refinement of Case studies Typologies Recommendations for stakeholder roles: Municipal governments Universities Foundations Business support providers