Developing vacant lots for urban agriculture
Wayne Long, Jefferson Co., KY. Developing vacant lots for urban agriculture
The benefit to neighborhoods:
- Required community/neighborhood meetings allow residents to have a voice in changes in land use codes, ordinances, projects, etc.
- With the assistance of the Jefferson County Extension Ag Agent, residents in each neighborhood will have the opportunity to develop a neighborhood farm by aggregating several vacant lots within their neighborhood.
- Louisville Metro’s Application process for purchasing or leasing vacant lots now involves the Jefferson County Extension Ag Agent. Applications are reviewed by the Extension Agent for sustainable projects, according to the LUC, then forwarded to the Office of Community Development with comments.
- Removing vacant lots from scheduled maintenance by Louisville Metro’s Public Works would save an estimated $750,000 per year. These savings could be used to offset startup costs for urban farming projects.
- Projects will also include planting trees, to mitigate the heat island effect, and for fruit and nut production.
-
Research has shown that urban agriculture, community gardens, pollinator gardens, and other green space have reduced crime and drug use in neighborhoods, increased social interaction, created jobs, increased property value, and provided fresh fruits and vegetables to residents.