Farmer and community activist Will Allen, founder of Growing Power and the Rainbow Farmers Cooperative in Milwaukee, Wisconson recently visited our town. Two communities of low-income families supported by grants from local non-profit organizations are starting an urban agriculture project just two blocks from downtown. A local business which "grows" compost was delivering the rich garden fertilizer and soil amendment to the site this morning. It will be wonderful to watch the neighborhood turn this former empty lot into a source of good food and additional cash.
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If this group is serious about setting up a long-term economically viable farming operation that is not dependent on grant support, it should check out SPIN-Farming. Philadelphia, PA began experimenting with commercial sub-acre farming four years ago using SPIN. A half-acre demonstration farm called Somerton Tanks Farm was created on Philadelphia Water Department land using the SPIN system. Last year, it’s fourth year in operation, it produced $68,000 in gross sales, and we are confident income can be increased even more. SPIN requires minimal infrastructure and provides a specific process for generating significant income from sub-acre land bases that can be taught to aspiring urban farmers. It removes their two big barriers to entry – they do not need much land or financial resources to start a SPIN farm operation. By re-casting farming as a small business in a city or town, it makes it possible for many more people to practice farming professionally and provides a new career option for inner city residents. More information about SPIN can be found at www.spinfarming.com.
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