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Urban Agriculture in Baltimore City Abby Cocke Environmental Planner
Urban Agriculture in Baltimore City
Abby CockeEnvironmental Planner
What’s currently going on?
2008: Real Food Farm starts with 3 hoop houses in Clifton Park
What’s currently going on?
2014: Real Food Farm has 7 hoop houses, two fields, composting, orchards, bees, mobile market, CSA, interns, classes, tours
What’s currently going on?
13+ farms total in Baltimore City, of which 11 belong to the Farm Alliance. More looking to start up all the time.
What is the City of Baltimore doing?
• 2009: Baltimore Sustainability Plan
What is the City of Baltimore doing?
• 2009: Baltimore Sustainability Plan
• 2010: Baltimore Food Policy Initiative
What is the City of Baltimore doing?
• 2009: Baltimore Sustainability Plan
• 2010: Baltimore Food Policy Initiative
• 2011: Urban Agriculture Land Leasing Pilot
What is the City of Baltimore doing?
• 2009: Baltimore Sustainability Plan
• 2010: Baltimore Food Policy Initiative
• 2011: Urban Agriculture Land Leasing Pilot
• 2013: Homegrown Baltimore: Grow Local
What is the City of Baltimore doing?
• 2009: Baltimore Sustainability Plan
• 2010: Baltimore Food Policy Initiative
• 2011: Urban Agriculture Land Leasing Pilot
• 2013: Homegrown Baltimore: Grow Local
...and much more! Permitting and zoning, animal husbandry regulations, soil safety policy, and related projects.
Land
Land
Water
Land
Water
Soil
Land
Water
Soil
Capital
Land
Water
Soil
Capital
Support
Land
Water
Soil
Capital
Support
Support incentives for gardens and farms on privately-owned land.
Land
Water
Soil
Capital
Support
Support incentives for gardens and farms on privately-owned land.
Develop soil standards.
Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative
• 2011 Pilot: 10 applicants, 5 qualified
Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative
• 2011 Pilot: 10 applicants, 5 qualified
• 2014 re-release: 2 new applications received
Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative
• 2011 Pilot: 10 applicants, 5 qualified
• 2014 re-release: 2 new applications received
• Results so far:
Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative
• 2011 Pilot: 10 applicants, 5 qualified
• 2014 re-release: 2 new applications received
• Results so far:o Big City Farms & Strength to Love II, 1.5 acres in
Sandtown-Winchester
Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative
• 2011 Pilot: 10 applicants, 5 qualified
• 2014 re-release: 2 new applications received
• Results so far:o Big City Farms & Strength to Love II, 1.5 acres in
Sandtown-Winchestero Real Food Farm, 1.5 acres in South Clifton Park
Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative
• 2011 Pilot: 10 applicants, 5 qualified
• 2014 re-release: 2 new applications received
• Results so far:o Big City Farms & Strength to Love II, 1.5 acres in
Sandtown-Winchestero Real Food Farm, 1.5 acres in South Clifton Parko In negotiations on 3 additional sites totalling 6 acres
What are the challenges?
• Community concerns about ag
What are the challenges?
• Community concerns about ag
• Competing plans for vacant land
What are the challenges?
• Community concerns about ag
• Competing plans for vacant land
• Extensive site prep needed
What are the challenges?
• Community concerns about ag
• Competing plans for vacant land
• Extensive site prep needed
• Soil testing and remediation costs
What are the challenges?
• Community concerns about ag
• Competing plans for vacant land
• Extensive site prep needed
• Soil testing and remediation costs
• Length of land tenure insufficient
What are the challenges?
• Community concerns about ag
• Competing plans for vacant land
• Extensive site prep needed
• Soil testing and remediation costs
• Length of land tenure insufficient
• Long timelines for results
Questions?
www.baltimoresustainability.org/homegrown-
baltimore-grow-local
410-396-1670
