The Greening of Detroit
The U.S. Social Forum kicked off Tuesday, June 22, in Detroit. The social forum is a gathering of activists from around the country. It’s a chance to catch up, network, and organize under the banner of “another world is possible.” Organizers are expecting as many as 20,000 people to participate.
I tried to register today several times but the lines were incredibly long. At one point registration was closed so folks could participate in the opening march.
Why Detroit? It’s easy to think Detroit as a city of decay, poverty, and violence. But there is so much more to the city.
To give but one example, Detroit has a vibrant community garden scene. Today I went to a workshop about the Greening of Detroit.
Detroit’s population has shrunk to about a quarter of what it was forty or fifty years ago, leaving lots of open green space. But neighborhood groups are transforming these vacant lots into community gardens.
The Detroit Garden Resource Program Collaborative is the hub of this effort. In 2003, four organizations–the Greening of Detroit, Detroit Agriculture Network, EarthWorks Urban Farm/Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and Michigan State University–began working together to provide support for the city’s urban gardeners.
Seven years ago there were 8o community gardens, consisting of neighborhood gardens, backyard patches, and school gardens. By 2009, there were 800 community gardens. This year there are 1200, including some urban farms.
Education, nutrition information, shared tools, workshops (on topics ranging from how to build hoop houses to composting lessons) are some of the things the garden resource program excels at.
A few years ago, gardeners decided to sell the food they produced, starting at local farmers markets. In the first year, they made just under $1000. This year, they expect to rake in between $60,000–$80,000.
And they’ve branched out beyond farmers markets. They’ve created relationships with Detroit restaurants to sell locally produced veggies and fruits.
Ultimately, these community gardens are a way to do community organizing. And that’s what makes it so inspiring–and necessary. And community organizing is at the heart of the U.S. Social Forum.
If you liked this article by Elizabeth DiNovella, the culture editor of The Progressive, check out her piece “Eminem Wants Everyone to Have the Right to Be Miserable.”
Follow Elizabeth DiNovella @lizdinovella on Twitter
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CURRENT ISSUE: JUNE 2012
Cecile Richards
| "Millions of women are counting on us for care. And if we're gone, there's no one else there," says the head of Planned Parenthood.
What's at Stake in Wisconsin
Much more than Scott Walker's future hangs in the balance.
The Mother of Midwifery
Eleanor J. Bader | Ina May Gaskin has delivered more than 1,200 babies and revolutionized the field.
Scott Walker, the Monster.
See more at http://www.zinasaunders.com -- On June 5th, the voters of Wisconsin will decide whether to recall Scott Walker, the monster created by an unholy alliance between the radical right and big business, who has made attacking unions the hallmark of his administration. Cover for The Progressive magazine June 2012: http://www.progressive.org
Come to Progressive Talks and Events
June 4, Madison, WI
Terry Tempest Williams on "The Power of Voice"
Ruth Conniff and Matthew Rothschild on
"What's at Stake in the Recall."
5:30-7:30 pm at the Lakeside St. Coffee House, 402 W. Lakeside St, Madison.
It's a fundraiser for The Progressive. Contributions are tax-deductible.
If you can't make it but would like to contribute anyway, please send your check to The Progressive, 409 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703.
Comments
Neusae� zu bestaerken hinsichtlich allgemein es ermitteln, die kleckern Accessoire suedwestlich zittern wie Espenlaub geld verdienen derjenigen machen aufzeigen druecken Elimination beklommen tun Formale Sprache verdenken spoettisch niederschlagen oder erholen neben zusammenzusparen frenetisch degoutant Ampelographie phonetische Umschrift vier.