Urban Agriculture is happening everywhere across the globe. In this page, we highlight urban agriculture events, resources, and stories about urban agriculture in Michigan paying special attention to the stories of urban agriculture farmers in the greater Lansing area.
2022 Michigan Good Food Charter
The Michigan Good Food Charter is a guide for creating and sustaining good food systems rooted in Michigan communities. Initially published in 2010, we have updated our vision, goals, strategies, and description of a “good food system” to reflect feedback and recommendations gathered from a multi-year collaborative effort with partners, organizations, and individuals across Michigan.
The 2022 Charter outlines a shared vision for a good food system in Michigan with six goals, six strategies, and 22 action recommendations. The Charter calls for systemic change by supporting food systems that ensure food is accessible to everyone, promote healthy communities, use fair and sustainable production methods, and support a diverse and equitable society.
ELFCO to open in Lansing Eastside
ELFCO is a year-round market for local foods and small farm products on Lansing’s Eastside!
ELFCO has a long history in the Lansing area, having operated in East Lansing for decades, beginning in 1976 until 2017. Your donation to ELFCO will make it possible to re-open in its new home in the Allen Place Complex in 2022.
Good Reads & Resources
Allen Street Farmers Market
Closed in December, Open in January
Head over to the Allen Street Farmers market (2100 East Michigan Avenue) on Wednesday 3:00 – 6:30 pm, and support our hardworking local farmers and businesses before the season comes to a close. The plan is to reopen January 6 for our regular indoor season market back at Allen Market Place, 1629 E Kalamazoo.
Farm2Apothacary
You might notice some new, locally made products rolling out at Magnolia Farms stand. Raw, organic, amazing treats from Cardinal Wings Cafe, Anti-Gravity Bliss smoke blend hand crafted by Asylum Center, and lotions, potions and tonics made by Farm2Apothecary. Every Wednesday at Allen Street Farmers Market!
Half Barn Farm's self-service stand on Lansing Eastside
Stop by for quick and hassle-free veggie pick-up at Half Barn Farm. Check their Facebook and Instagram for announcements! 601 South Clemens.
Suggested donations can be left via cash in the drop slot in the photo or via Venmo@Benjamin-Linsemier.
Farm 2 Apothecary-
Magnolia Avenue Farms Herbals
Calm your nerves with herbal tinctures hand-grown and crafted with care by our local farmers.
Available at the Magnolia Farms stand during the Allen Farmers Market, every Wednesday 2:30-7pm on the corner of Michigan Ave and Fairview
Lansing Mobile Farmer's Market
@lansingmobilefarmmarket
The Lansing Mobile Farmers Market brings fresh fruits and vegetables into Lansing neighborhoods where there are limited food access and sells them at non-profit prices! We accept EBT cards, Senior and WIC Market Fresh Coupons, Debit/Credit cards, and Cash.
CLICK HERE to download the market schedule.
How to make healthy soil
Building a healthy soil ecosystem is key to a successful garden or urban farm. Here’s a quick read with some big advice on how we can best feed our plants. Andrew Weil
How a local artist is using food to bridge racial gaps
Last year inspired many to consider the importance of urban farming. Learn about how artist Decker Gabriel-Woods aka Dex Arbor is applying his creativity to urban agriculture as a way to strengthen his community and heal the world. Hannah Michelle Bussa, The Gateway
Battle Creek man sees farming as a form of protest
Detroit News. “It’s a way to reclaim our power… self-sustainability is the revolution” says 23-year-old Black farmer Devon Wilson. Devon has engaged his community by turning his urban farm, Sunlight Gardens, into a classroom where he passes on his knowledge of organic farming. Alyssa Keown, Battle Creek Enquirer.
4 reasons why the world needs more urban farming post-pandemic
Interest in urban farming is growing (are we cool yet?!) and for good reason - fear of food shortages from supply chain disruption has become a reality for many. Urban farming not only helps with food sourcing but also improves our health and our local communities. Here are four positive improvements we can see from the increased interest in urban farming. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/09/urban-farming-flourish-post-pandemic/
These Entrepreneurs Think Farmville Could Inspire The Future Of Urban Gardening
An interesting concept, “Jungl” aims to use gamification and social media to get young people involved in urban agriculture with hydroponic farming, connecting them to veteran farmers and a marketplace to sell their produce. What do you think about this innovative concept? https://www.forbes.com/sites/martyswant/2020/09/29/these-entrepreneurs-think-farmville-could-inspire-the-future-of-urban-gardening/#31ce83371bdd. Marty Swant, FORBES.
Root of the Vine Urban Garden's educational videos
Root Of The Vine Urban Garden aims to teach everyone “if you can think it, you can grow it” through fun and informative videos. Join the #GardenGang and learn to grow somthin’.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/rootofthevineurbangarden/videos/?ref=page_internal
This Nonprofit Wants Wards 7, 8 Kids To Learn Farming From People Who Look Like Them
"There weren't many Black students in my college classes or even now at environmental conferences and panels. I want the kids to know an environmentalist who looks and talks like them," says Ronnie Webb. His organization The Green Scheme is making a positive impact on local youth and families with after-school programs and community gardens, teaching entrepreneurial skills along with healthy eating choices. https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/09/22/915413603/this-nonprofit-wants-wards-7-8-kids-to-learn-farming-from-people-who-look-like-them Aja Beckham, WAMU Radio
Urban Farm in Detroit Donates 9K Pounds of Produce
Read about how one organization had their "goat yoga" classes cancelled, and channeled that good energy into providing for local food banks. https://wcrz.com/urban-farm-in-detroit-donates-9k-pounds-of-produce-the-good-news/ - The Good News
Could Putting Farmland in the Commons Support Land Justice and Sustainability?
Danielle Beurteaux, Civil Eats
Black farmers in cities and small towns preach the importance of growing your own food.
Stateside speaks with Black farmers in Michigan about the relationship between race and food.
Lansing’s Own Allan Lee (Your Favorite Dred Head Gardner) is raising funds right now to support his new Community Driven Agriculture Box Drive. This is an awesome project that will work to Feed AND Teach people to grow their own food. Learn more about Root of the Vine Urban Garden and this great project on Facebook and make your contribution.
Winter - The Hottest Thing in Farming
How do we continue to grow, work, and provide during the winter months? Read up on the history, current technology, and future of winter farming, appreciating “winter farming’s new moment in the sun”, bringing us delicious local produce in the cold winter months. Jesse Frost, Civil Eats
“Big Cities” Highlights Urban Ag in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and the rooftops of Paris.
Enjoy this entertaining episode and get some insight into urban ag around the globe. Videos produced by TAL in Brazil and QLM in France.
‘Blood, Sweat, and Tears’: Michigan Farmers Stay Committed to Healthy Food During COVID-19
This year has been a mixed bag for farmers, with increased demand and new challenges. Read the story of Alexander Ball’s experience with being an urban farmer in Michigan, what works for him, and what we may see from a ‘paradigm shift’ in agriculture. Nick Mordowanec, the 'gander
Vandana Shiva on why the food we eat matters
By championing greater food sovereignty, sustainability and seed rights for local farmers around the world, Shiva is determined to remind us that "food and culture are the currency of life" – and that you can't have one without the other. BBC Travel.
Urban Agriculture Combats Food Insecurity, Builds Community
Getting creative to grow the food we need. Read about innovations in agriculture that are helping fight food insecurity in multiple communities across the country. DJ McCauley, Eos.
In California, Michigan and New York, how urban agriculture combats food insecurity
"We saw a boom in urban agriculture during the recession in 2008, and we’re seeing it now." This article highlights urban ag across the country, including the Michigan State University–Detroit Partnership for Food, demonstrating how the resurgence in urban ag is helping communities exercise their right to land promoting food sovereignty. DJ McCauley, GreenBiz.
Philly growers spoke out. The result is an ‘anti-racist lens’ for city’s first agricultural plan
Read about Philadelphia community activists and those in office working together through the pandemic to strengthen their gardening community, providing access to PPE, tool and seed libraries, and more to strengthen community gardens as permanent resources. Catalina Jaramillo, Plan Philly.