"VACANT TO VIBRANT" DAYTON, OHIO URBAN AGRICULTURE PILOT PROJECT
Mills-Wasniak,* S.1; Clutter, A.2; Rabi, J.31Extension Program Assistant, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Dayton, OH, 45409
2Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Dayton, OH, 45409
3Extension Program Assistant, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Ohio State University Extension Montgomery County, Dayton, OH, 45409
Abstract:
The need to explore new uses for over six thousand vacant lots within the city limits resulted in “Vacant to Vibrant” Urban Agriculture Pilot Project being conceived. The City of Dayton and Ohio State University Extension Montgomery County program areas, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program were major partners in this endeavor. The marketing plan was to produce vegetables for the area’s Middle-Eastern ethnic population on a vacant lot, thus helping to eliminate one “food desert.” Sudanese and Somali refugees provided the labor. In mid-July 2009 the one-third acre lot was planted with over 500 vegetable transplants, 500 flower transplants, and several row crops. Over 1000 pounds of produce were harvested before the first frost. A cover crop was sown in late 2009. Building on the positive impacts of the project, the number of lots will increase in 2010. Two major benefits from the pilot project were that a vacant lot was given a new environmentally sustainable life and purpose and that the city, neighborhood, Extension, and culturally diverse groups collaborated to make a positive difference. Secondary benefits were; an underserved population was able to get fresh local ethnic produce; the refugees learned English and job skills; and limited resource participants learned to combine the use of ethnic and local food for healthy nutritional choices.