Urban farming, a cheaper alternative (video)
Here’s something you wouldn’t expect to see in the middle of a big city like Washington, D.C.: a working farm that’s helping a community discover a growing example of “what works.”
Susan Ellsworth is working on a master plan – turning an abandoned public school ballfield into an urban farm. She and partner Liz Falk share a vision, in which low-income neighbors learn to grow their own fruits and vegetables.
“D.C. is an expensive place to live and food is a cost and people want to grow their own food,” said Falk.
I.L. Donerson lives right across the street – he doesn’t know the first thing about farming, but classes that teach the basics are helping. And its hands on – and in — the dirt education.
“This is basically just cut grass, and at the farm I can see how to do a garden and do it right,” said Donerson. I.L. is working on his own field of dreams in his own backyard.
At harvest time, neighbors take home bushels of produce, in return for their hard work. What’s left over is sold at the local farmers market and the profits go back into the farm.
Neighbors across the country are getting the same idea. 43 million American families plan to grow their own food this year, up nearly 20 percent from last year.
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“I figure I save maybe about $200 a month,” said Donerson.
