A suburban farming model based on shared private garden plots springs up in Needham, Massachusetts. Could Kate Canney's experiment be an antidote to the challenge of finding farmland that plagues prospective farmers nationwide?
Canney, a resident of the Boston suburb of Needham, MA, noticed that most of the yard space in her neighborhood was being used to grow lawns. Interested in pursuing her dream of farming, she started talking to friends about converting some of this valuable private outdoor space to food production.
The idea caught on, and neighbors approached her with requests to convert their lawns into viable vegetable gardens. Thus The Neighborhood Farm was born.
Currently farming two thirds of an acre across six different gardens (plus a 3 acre field) within a 15-minute driving loop of one another, Canney grows a wide variety of herbs, cut flowers and vegetables without synthetic pesticides, diversifying each plot and rotating crops from year to year.
Neighbors who donate their land receive credit at The Neighborhood Farm's local farmer's market locations and fresh produce from their own backyards.
FULL STORY: The Neighborhood Farm: An Urban Farming Initiative
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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