Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (Full Version)

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DarkSteven -> Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 11:37:48 AM)

A year ago, I started this thread: http://www.collarchat.com/m_3196803/mpage_1/tm.htm about the possibility of turning Detroit into agricultural use. I still don't consider this to have a lot of potential, but there are some who do.

A definite success is the Growing Power project in Milwaukee.  http://www.growingpower.org/  The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

An editorial about it is here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18610915?source=rss  A Denver affiliate is described here: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13586527

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden.  Sorta like boutique farms.








willbeurdaddy -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 12:55:28 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

A year ago, I started this thread: http://www.collarchat.com/m_3196803/mpage_1/tm.htm about the possibility of turning Detroit into agricultural use. I still don't consider this to have a lot of potential, but there are some who do.

A definite success is the Growing Power project in Milwaukee.  http://www.growingpower.org/  The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

An editorial about it is here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18610915?source=rss  A Denver affiliate is described here: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13586527

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden.  Sorta like boutique farms.








would you like 10W40 or 10W50 with your butter lettuce?




hlen5 -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 2:09:22 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: willbeurdaddy


quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

A year ago, I started this thread: http://www.collarchat.com/m_3196803/mpage_1/tm.htm about the possibility of turning Detroit into agricultural use. I still don't consider this to have a lot of potential, but there are some who do.

A definite success is the Growing Power project in Milwaukee.  http://www.growingpower.org/  The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

An editorial about it is here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18610915?source=rss  A Denver affiliate is described here: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13586527

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden.  Sorta like boutique farms.








would you like 10W40 or 10W50 with your butter lettuce?


DS, It's little steps that add up to a better world, isn't it? Thanks for posting it.

Willbe - was that an attempt at humor, or a deliberate mocking?




thompsonx -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 5:43:10 PM)

quote:

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden. Sorta like boutique farms.


You do realize that agri-biz is heavily subsidized.
So which subsidy do you feel is more productive at ground level not corporate headquarters level?





willbeurdaddy -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 5:49:24 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: hlen5


quote:

ORIGINAL: willbeurdaddy


quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

A year ago, I started this thread: http://www.collarchat.com/m_3196803/mpage_1/tm.htm about the possibility of turning Detroit into agricultural use. I still don't consider this to have a lot of potential, but there are some who do.

A definite success is the Growing Power project in Milwaukee.  http://www.growingpower.org/  The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

An editorial about it is here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18610915?source=rss  A Denver affiliate is described here: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13586527

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden.  Sorta like boutique farms.








would you like 10W40 or 10W50 with your butter lettuce?


DS, It's little steps that add up to a better world, isn't it? Thanks for posting it.

Willbe - was that an attempt at humor, or a deliberate mocking?


Why couldnt it be both?



(Actually it was the first though, since Im not interested enough in the topic to learn enough about it to mock (or not))




thompsonx -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 6:11:36 PM)

quote:

(Actually it was the first though, since Im not interested enough in the topic to learn enough about it to mock (or not))


Why do you offer your opinion about things you know nothing about and in which you have no interest ?




thompsonx -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 6:21:21 PM)

double post




DarkSteven -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 7:21:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thompsonx

quote:

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden. Sorta like boutique farms.


You do realize that agri-biz is heavily subsidized.
So which subsidy do you feel is more productive at ground level not corporate headquarters level?




Yeah, I know.  I was hoping we could go off the damn subsidies, but if we're gonna have them, I'd rather they go to a place like this than a huge farm.




Iamsemisweet -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 7:40:42 PM)

Excellent thread. Check out www.myurbanabundance.org for another very successful program




DarkSteven -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 8:35:14 PM)

I dunno.  The My Urban Abundance site looks more like a clearinghouse, not a place that actually grows food.




WyldHrt -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 9:31:34 PM)

Where I lived as a child (NE Ohio), there were 'community gardens' for folks who liked to garden but didn't have large yards. You paid a small amount each month and got a little plot of land to grow whatever you wanted. My mother grew up on a farm, so we got a plot and planted tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, etc. On the weekends, everyone would be out weeding, fertilizing, veggie picking, helping each other and socializing. Come end of the summer, lots of kitchens were turned into canneries. Those little plots saved everyone a bunch of money and helped build a sense of community.

I've often thought that something like this would be good for able bodied people on welfare or long term unemployment. The sense of accomplishment in eating (and feeding your family, of you have one) fresh picked food that you grew yourself is a real self esteem booster, not to mention saving money. 




tj444 -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 10:31:24 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven
The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

Yes, I would think it would have to use subsidies, and if some/all employees are high risk its probably partly an employment subsidy and possibly also a farm subsidy.

I have done hydroponics and enjoyed that but the aquaponics is interesting to me, I am curious about fish farming and how to best do that, in the most healthy food way. Fish farms are not cheap to build especially on land (even tho its much better for the enviroment). I dont much care for tilapia tho, to eat, for me personally...

Too bad they dont put their build your own system workshop in a dvd or as an online webinar.




WyldHrt -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 10:36:34 PM)

quote:

I dont much care for tilapia tho, to eat, for me personally...

That's too bad, tj. Tilapia dredged in properly seasoned flour and pan fried is pretty close to nirvana for me. [:)]




Iamsemisweet -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/4/2011 11:05:34 PM)

True. But urban gardeners often have too much of something, so this is useful. Plus, often fruit trees go to waste, so their orchard program helps utilize back yard trees that would otherwise go to waste.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

I dunno.  The My Urban Abundance site looks more like a clearinghouse, not a place that actually grows food.




Sanity -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/5/2011 4:11:57 AM)


Just a little more liberal progressivism and we will all be hunter-gatherers again

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

A year ago, I started this thread: http://www.collarchat.com/m_3196803/mpage_1/tm.htm about the possibility of turning Detroit into agricultural use. I still don't consider this to have a lot of potential, but there are some who do.

A definite success is the Growing Power project in Milwaukee.  http://www.growingpower.org/  The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

An editorial about it is here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18610915?source=rss  A Denver affiliate is described here: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13586527

Note that these urban-agri systems are not really producing at the levels that commercial farms achieve, but they far outproduce a home garden.  Sorta like boutique farms.









Sanity -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/5/2011 5:48:45 AM)


From Wikipedia:

quote:

Milwaukee has a mayor-council form of government with a strong-mayor plan. The mayor oversees a Common Council of elected members, each representing one of 15 districts in the city. Milwaukee has a history of giving long tenures to its mayors; from Frank Zeidler to Tom Barrett, the city has had only four mayors in the last 60 years. When 28-year incumbent Henry Maier retired in 1988, he held the record for longest term of service for a city of Milwaukee's size.

Milwaukee has been a Democratic stronghold for more than a century, with Democrats dominating every level of government, except for its Socialist mayors and (for briefer periods) other city and county offices. The city is split among three state Senate districts, each of which is composed of three Assembly districts. All 12 of the officials representing the city in the State Legislature are Democrats.

Milwaukee makes up the overwhelming majority of Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. The district is heavily Democratic. The Democratic primary for the seat is considered more important than the general election. The district is currently represented by Democrat Gwen Moore. Milwaukee residents elect representatives to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. The current County executive is Chris Abele.


quote:

Politically, the city consistently supports the Democratic Party in state and national elections (local elections are nonpartisan). According to a study released by the Bay Area Center for Voting Research, Detroit is the most liberal large city in America, measuring only the percentage of city residents who voted for the Democratic Party.



In 2000, the City requested an investigation by the United States Justice Department into the Detroit Police Department which was concluded in 2003 over allegations regarding its use of force and civil rights violations. The city proceeded with a major reorganization of the Detroit Police Department.

Urban development in Detroit has been an important issue. In 1973, the city elected its first black mayor, Coleman Young. Despite development efforts, his combative style during his five terms in office was not well received by many whites. Mayor Dennis Archer, a former Michigan Supreme Court Justice, refocused the city's attention on redevelopment with a plan to permit three casinos downtown.



Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick resigned his office effective September 19, 2008, after pleading guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice and no contest to one count of assaulting and obstructing a police officer. Kilpatrick was succeeded in office on an interim basis by City Council President Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. until a May, 2009 special election in which businessman and former Detroit Pistons star Dave Bing was elected Mayor for the remaining duration of Kilpatrick's term. Bing has since been re-elected to his first full term of office, and is Detroit's current mayor. In March 2010, Bing announced a request for a recount of the city's 2010 census figures.






tj444 -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/5/2011 7:25:13 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: WyldHrt
quote:

I dont much care for tilapia tho, to eat, for me personally...

That's too bad, tj. Tilapia dredged in properly seasoned flour and pan fried is pretty close to nirvana for me. [:)]

Maybe I just dont know how to cook it properly??? .. sigh.. so much for those French cooking lessons I took.. [:(]




DomKen -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/5/2011 9:09:27 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tj444


quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven
The good news is that it's providing employment for high risk people, growing food as sustainably as possible, using aquaponics, green technologies, and renewable energy whenever possible.  The bad news is that it's using subsidies to achieve this.

Yes, I would think it would have to use subsidies, and if some/all employees are high risk its probably partly an employment subsidy and possibly also a farm subsidy.

I have done hydroponics and enjoyed that but the aquaponics is interesting to me, I am curious about fish farming and how to best do that, in the most healthy food way. Fish farms are not cheap to build especially on land (even tho its much better for the enviroment). I dont much care for tilapia tho, to eat, for me personally...

Too bad they dont put their build your own system workshop in a dvd or as an online webinar.

IIRC the Milwaukee group raises tilapia and lake perch for sale to restaurants. Because they recycle the water through their hydroponics beds, the fish fertilize the vegatables, the fish farmed have to be fresh water types. I'm guessing the same technique would work with catfish.

They do have a video up on youtube that shows in general how they do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV9CCxdkOng&feature=related




tj444 -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/5/2011 9:17:58 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen
IIRC the Milwaukee group raises tilapia and lake perch for sale to restaurants. Because they recycle the water through their hydroponics beds, the fish fertilize the vegatables, the fish farmed have to be fresh water types. I'm guessing the same technique would work with catfish.

They do have a video up on youtube that shows in general how they do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV9CCxdkOng&feature=related


soooo totally cool!!!.. thanks DomKen. [:)]




Aylee -> RE: Well, there may be some hope for urban agriculture after all. (8/5/2011 9:19:17 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen

IIRC the Milwaukee group raises tilapia and lake perch for sale to restaurants. Because they recycle the water through their hydroponics beds, the fish fertilize the vegatables, the fish farmed have to be fresh water types. I'm guessing the same technique would work with catfish or freshwater perch.


I am not sure about the perch but I know that catfish farming is a sustainable fish farm. (I think that is the term used.) Based on the space they need, the food to feed them, and their growing rate. Crawdads are also sustainable.




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