Planting Complete - Now the Growing is in Full Swing

Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, teams of volunteers worked hard on the farm to get the last of our plants in the ground. We have tomatoes, peppers, herbs, sunflowers, beans, and other assorted goodies enjoying the sun and rain of late May/early June. The 'barn' received much needed shelves today. Signs were placed around the site, and construction of the 'store' is well underway. We've ordered a windmill and photovoltaic panels to provide DC power (with AC available through an inverter). And the community garden plots have been subleased to neighbors who will begin planting in the next week. We've also recruited students from Western Hills Design Tech as well as students from the Summer Academy at the University of Cincinnati to work on the farm this summer. Finally, we've ordered a remote web cam that should arrive in the next couple of weeks. This system will allow anyone to watch the farm 24/7/365 - if you look closely enough you can actually see the plants grow!

Planting is Well Underway

Thanks to all those who helped out on Saturday, May 16 and Saturday, May 23 for two solid weeks of planting. We've secured a water storage tank that has been placed onsite. The seedlings that were growing in the Biology Department Greenhouse have been transplanted. And a chicken wire fence has been constructed to keep out rabbits and raccoons. Four of the six community plots have been leased by local neighbors. Overall, the UC Urban Farm is really starting to take shape. In the next few weeks, we anticipate installation of solar power as well as a hoop house (green house) and a storefront for selling produce. Members of the greater UC community and neighbors are encouraged to stop by for a visit.

Successful Barnraising Attended by 20+ Supporters

More than twenty administrators, faculty, students, friends, and family met from noon until 6pm at the UC Urban Farm. Three large raised beds were constructed and six community garden plots were created. In the coming weeks, ten additional beds will be created from an innovative process using biodegradable plastic as a means of drip irrigation. While some workers created a large sign for the property, others began construction on a tool shed, and still others spent the day hauling mulch, top soil, and stones. In the evening, a cookout was enjoyed by all. Special thanks to Stephanie McBride and Larry Johnson for their 'above-and-beyond' contributions to the cookout.

Cincinnati Urban Farm Efforts Highlighted in Enquirer Articles

Cincinnati Enquirer reporters for local government, Jane Prendergast, and food, Polly Campbell, have recently highlighted efforts within the City of Cincinnati to provide fresh, whole foods for local consumption. The effort, known as urban farming (or urban gardening) is loosely based upon the successful program developed by Will Allen in Milwaukee and his not-for-profit, Growing Power. In particular, the article by Campbell discusses collaborations between farmers and local restaurants to bring produce from the urban field to the dinner table.

"Barn raising" on Saturday, May 9

The UC Urban Farm is hosting a work day and social on the farm on Saturday, May 9. We'll be hauling mulch, tilling soil, barn raising (constructing a shed) and other fun from Noon until 4pm. We'll enjoy a cook out from 4-6pm. Please RSVP to debbie.moll at gmail.com so that we can maintain a headcount. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Celebrating a successful cleanup on Saturday, April 25

About thirty students, staff, and faculty from UC were on-hand from 9am through noon on Saturday, April 25 as part of the Great American Clean Up sponsored by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. Major accomplishments included: collection of old tires, recyclable and disposable trash, clearing of brush, collecting stones, and trimming weeds and grasses. To finish the event, we enjoyed a lunch of locally purchased pizza from Scarlatto's on McHenry... sure to become a tradition for those working at the site. Current plans are to meet at the site for a picnic on Saturday, May 9 and for a planting party on Saturday, May 23. For more details about upcoming events, please contact debbie.moll at gmail.com.

Westwood Embraces the UC Urban Farm

At the monthly meeting of the Westwood Civic Association, Dan Oerther provided an overview of the UC Urban Farm program to an audience of approximately 50 community members. In general, the audience was very excited about the idea of UC's work in the neighborhood. Questions were fielded about the ability of local organizations to work on the site (e.g., schools for field trips, and neighbors to cultivate 10x10 or 5x5 personal plots), the plans for security (i.e., would UC install a fence?), and the positive feelings about community engagement (e.g., a community meeting would be welcomed). The presentation and Q&A lasted for approximately 20 minutes as part of the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Contact information was left, and many in the audience indicated their willingness to help with communication throughout the community.