Progress with Infrastucture

Here are some more photos of the farm, including the newly roofed and painted shed, security lights, the site of the future farm stand and the graded area for the hoop house.

Amazing Progress in June

I've been away working in Tanzania, and when I returned I visited the UC Urban Farm. What a transformation! In just a couple of weeks, the piles of mulch have been spread around the site. The crops have grown by leaps and bounds. Materials for the hoop house have arrived and are being assembled, and we are ready to move forward with the green roof on top of our store. We're just waiting for the solar panels and wind mill to arrive to provide on-site electricity. Its very, very exciting! Schedules have been made for regular volunteer opportunities. Please contact us if you'd like to participate in the farm. All the best.

Ahead of Our Times in Cincinnati

The City of Cincinnati isn't always known for being ahead of the times... For example, Mark Twain once remarked, "When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always twenty years behind the times." Imagine when watching the evening NBC nightly news to witness a story about urban farming, and how urban farm programs across the country are positively impacting neighborhoods. Imagine that the City of Cincinnati and the University are early adopters of this trend. Imagine that the Civic Garden Center has a long and storied history of encouraging gardening throughout the City. This is a very exciting project, and its gratifying to be part of a progressive movement to improve access to healthy, whole foods in Cincinnati.

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.