Seattle Launches New “Urban Agriculture” Site

As long-time beekeepers, hyperlocally famous tomato farmers and soon-to-be chicken ranchers, we here at Wallyhood are huge fans of the “urban homesteading” movement that is bringing previously rural-only farming practices to the city (and very local food to our table). Our city government, we’re pleased to see, is on board as well, judging from this press release we got from the city:

Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle City Councilmembers today announced the “Year of Urban Agriculture” campaign to promote urban agriculture efforts and increase community access to locally grown food.

In April of 2008, Seattle City Council adopted Resolution 31019, the Local Food Action Initiative, outlining a series of actions developed to promote local and regional food sustainability and security. The goals of the Local Food Action Initiative include improving the local food system through advancing the City of Seattle’s interrelated goals of race and social justice, environmental sustainability, economic development, and emergency preparedness.

“We are committed to making changes that are better for people and better for the environment.  This means making it easier to garden and grow food, to ensure that good food is available in all neighborhoods, and to find innovative ways to encourage local and regional food production,” said Mayor McGinn. […]

In support of the Urban Agriculture campaign, the City today launched in interactive web portal including a calendar highlighting local events related to urban agriculture and activities, information and resources available, and links to many organizations working toward improving the local food system. For more information please visit:  http://www.seattle.gov/urbanagriculture/

Paul Haas, resource development director of [Wallingford-based] Solid Ground added, “What this campaign means is new community farms providing fruits and vegetables for people who otherwise have little access to good food.”

If readers have ideas how Wallyhood can help foster and support this movement in our neighborhood, please let’s talk about them in the comments section. For example, encouraging neighborhood vegetable swaps or gardening tool coops.

We would also welcome someone with a deep knowledge of gardening as a regular contributing columnist to these pages, to help keep us on track as the season progresses.