Launch of Farm School NYC

Just Food and an alliance of local horticultural and food justice organizations are pleased to announce the official launch of Farm School NYC: The New York City School of Urban Agriculture. The school will offer a unique, community-based certificate program with enrollment beginning in January 2011. The mission of the school is to provide comprehensive professional training in urban agriculture, while spurring positive local action on issues of food access and social, economic and racial justice.

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DeKalb County Code Enforcement officers cited Miller for growing too many vegetables

By M.S.
The Economist
Democracy in America
Oct. 3rd, 2010

Excerpt:

I tried to get out of writing about zoning and regulation, but they keep pulling me back in. It seems that DeKalb County, Georgia, enforces strict legal limits on how many vegetables you grow on your property. A gentleman named Steve Miller, who apparently has a suspicious fondness for broccoli, is facing a $5,000 fine from county officials, reports Sarah Parsons at Change.org.

“Back in January of this year, DeKalb County Code Enforcement officers cited Miller for growing too many vegetables and having unpermitted workers on his property. Apparently, according to city zoning laws, Miller broke the law when he started producing that many organic veggies on his land.

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More than 100 city plots have been set aside for urban gardening, but participants are required to test for soil contamination. See video report here.

Soil Safety Crucial In Urban Gardening

By Rafael Sanchez
ABC Indiana News
September 29, 2010

Excerpt:

Indianapolis has set aside more than 100 city plots for something not often found in a major metropolitan area: farming.

Indianapolis’ urban gardening initiative is intended to serve as a valuable way to promote local, sustainable agriculture, economic development and community building, 6News’ Rafael Sanchez reported.

As part of the program, six lots are currently being used to grow fruits and vegetables. People selected to be urban gardeners must commit to maintaining the city owned properties for five years.

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