Farms in the City

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that "cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens." The author of the Declaration of Independence would likely consider the kids at Maple Tree Elementary School, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, model citizens. For the past year, students and teachers have transformed an abandoned ball field into Milwaukee's first school and community garden.

With the help of Growing Power Inc., an organization that teaches communities how to grow gardens in cities, Maple Tree's students installed garden beds in a five-acre plot of land. Each class was given a bed to plant. Most grew greens like collard, mustard and turnip. At harvest time, the students and their neighbors enjoyed homegrown greens. "We're growing farmers for the future," says Will Allen, the founder of Growing Power.

The Maple Tree school garden is only one example of urban agriculture, a trend that is sprouting up across the country. Small farms on the outskirts of cities, rooftop gardens and farmers' markets that sell fresh produce in town are all examples of urban farming. So are window-box plantings.

In 2002, the last time research was compiled, some 40% of agricultural production in the United States came from metropolitan areas. Why is city farming blossoming? One reason is that today's urban shoppers are demanding fresh, healthful food that is grown locally. "People are more health conscious," Allen explained to TFK. "They want to know where their food comes from and who's growing it."

They are also concerned about the environment. Food products grown on large commercial farms typically travel up to 2,500 miles from farm to plate. Transporting food over long distances uses a great deal of energy, which contributes to pollution and global warming.

Urban agriculture has other benefits: Gardens and farmers' markets beautify cities and cultivate neighborhoods where citizens work together. Now that's a trend that Jefferson would appreciate.