Urban farms are normal in most of the world. Dutch greenhouses grew out of vegetable farms packed into medieval cities. India is known as a “nation of villages” where in most of the country, fields and homes are in walking distance of each other. And a suburb of Philadelphia called Kennett Square, dotted with light-proofed garages, grows nearly all the mushrooms in the US. Urban farms are already real and they’re powerful.
But Americans still see urban farming as an exotic new idea. We think farms are supposed to be big open fields. That’s not just a vibe. It’s policy. In North Carolina, a site has to be at least 10 acres to be legally considered a farm.
This idea of what farms “should” be makes it tough to get funding, insurance, and zoning approval for urban greenhouses and aquaculture. That’s a bummer, because these farms work great in urban areas. They bring jobs and food security. And since cities already have sewer systems these farms can tap into, it can be cleaner and cheaper to put these farms in cities than in rural areas.
Our policy doesn’t recognize that, though. And since we can’t build commercial-size urban farms, the only kind we have are tiny ones for education and community-building. They’re great- but they’re not a food system. That leads Americans to think that’s all urban farms can be: cute little playgrounds, but not a real source of food and jobs.
We need leadership that recognizes urban agriculture is a real, viable business, not a gimmick. We need someone who will work closely with lenders and zoning boards to build local food systems wherever they make sense- including growing food in cities. We need a leader who recognizes a big opportunity when she sees one.
It’s great to see someone making it work despite the roadblocks. I just wish I could’ve seen fifty other farms in Charlotte like this one. I look forward to working with state and local lawmakers to make that happen. North Carolinians deserve opportunity and good, clean, local food.
I can’t make it happen without you. Thanks to everyone who’s already supported the campaign. And if you can, chip in to help me make this real!
