Fwd: [iymc_earthcare] Agriburbia

[Don Laughlin]

Hi Fred,

An interesting concept---could it apply to Iowa City?

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Kisling, Jeffrey A" <jaki...@iupui.edu>

Date: November 5, 2009 5:58:08 AM CST

To: "'iymc_ea...@yahoogroups.com'" <iymc_ea...@yahoogroups.com>

Subject: [iymc_earthcare] Agriburbia

Reply-To: iymc_ea...@yahoogroups.com

“Agriburbia” Combines Home and Harvest on Colorado’s Front Range.  Six hundred and eighteen-acre Platte River Village north of Denver will have 944 homes surrounded by 108 acres of backyard farms and 152 acres of drip-irrigated community farms. The plan is for the farms to feed local residents and supply restaurants while paying for community upkeep.  Thirteen other Front Range projects are mulling the “agriburbia” concept.  Designer Matt Redmond envisions a future where the nation’s 31 million acres of lawn are converted to food production. Redmond works at three scales, creating “edible landscapes” on small home parcels, “steward lots” for local restaurants on property waiting for better conditions to build, and farm-cultured communities like Platte River Village. (The Denver Post, October 24, 2009, http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13631048<http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13631048> )

 

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[Fred Meyer]

Brilliant!

 

This reminds me of the “Digging Deeper” project that is happening in Des Moines:

http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/departments/pr/Comm_Gard/digging_deeper.htm

 

Currently, growing local food is of mild interest to our society. As energy prices—and subsequently food prices— rise over the years, we will start recognizing the huge impact of local food on our well-being. It would be prudent to get a foundation solidified now by learning how to cultivate food in urban environments and by creating an infrastructure to support its distribution, processing, and storage.

 

If you have time and interest, there is an opportunity to make a plug for urban food at the Riverfront Crossing District meetings on Nov. 11:

http://www.icgov.org/default/apps/GEN/news.asp?newsID=5743&page=1

  

Happy harvesting!

 

Fred Meyer

Backyard Abundance Director

http://www.BackyardAbundance.org