Growing Opportunities: Small Farms, Slow Food, Co-ops, Farmers

Markets and Sustainable Farming

January 28, 2013

The City of Cleveland

Department of Economic Development

Local Food Part of “Sustainable Cleveland 2019” Defined as “Production, process, distribution

and consumption within a 100 mile radius” Innovative policies and Programs Helps to address “Food deserts” Cleveland has more than 200 Community

Gardens, 12 Farmer’s markets, 20 Urban Farms and Market Gardens and 25 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s) Programs

Zoning

“Chickens and Bees” Legislation• Allows citizens to raise up to 6 chickens, small

animals and up to 2 beehives on small vacant lots and backyard areas

• Requires bi-annual licensing by the Health Department

Example: Intercontinental

Hotel has a beehive on the

roof for its restaurant

Zoning

Agriculture and Farm Stands in Residential Districts• Permits agriculture

as a principal use of a vacant lot in a residential district

• Allows sale of produce from farm stands in residential districts with approval from Board of Zoning Appeals

Neighborhood Farm Stand

Zoning

Urban Garden Zoning District• One of the nation’s first ordinances allowing

Cleveland to zone land exclusively for Urban Garden use

• Previously Urban Gardens were considered “Temporary Uses”, which discouraged permanent investment in infrastructure

• Recognizes Urban Gardening as “Highest and Best Use” for some areas

Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone

6 Acres of City Landbank Property (planned 26 acre Urban Ag development)

Partnering with the OSU Cooperative Extension and Burten Bell Carr Neighborhood CDC

Worked with Ohio EPA to develop new standards for agricultural use

Cooperative Extension used grants to fence area, bring in soil as needed and provide a large community storage shed

Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone

Received first Federal Agriculture Grant for an Urban area $740,000

Received First State of Ohio Agriculture Grant for an Urban Area $100,000

Each farmer receives a lease for ¼ acre site plus instruction

City allows water use (from hydrants) for 2 years- then must pay for a meter and tie in

Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone

Landbank Lots in Purple Red Box is the Innovation

Zone- fully leased Land has been acquired

for Gateway signage and landscaping along Kinsman

Funding obtained for a demonstration kitchen- Bridgeport Place

Urban Agriculture Zone

Plan for the 26 acre site

Urban Agriculture ZoneRid-all Green Partnership

Aquaponics, Indoor gardens, composting and

youth education

North Section of the Urban Ag District

Urban Agriculture ZoneGreenhouse Training Program

Next expansion Parcels are

being acquired $800,000 total

cost 25 jobs to be

created Hope to begin

construction in 2013

Will include a Food Prep Kitchen, a Retail Store, Interior Urban Gardens, a 2nd Aquaponics system and training for careers in Urban Agriculture

City Incentives- Contracting

Local Producer or Food Purchaser Incentive• A 2% Bid Discount on City contracts for:

–Companies that buy at least 20 percent of contract totals from regional growers

–Local producers which grow food in the region

–Companies located anywhere which purchase at least 20 percent of the amount of their City contract from local producers

–Example: City Hall Cafeteria Contract

City Incentives-Gardening for Greenbacks

Up to $5,000 grants to encourage urban agriculture entrepreneurs

Partner with Cooperative Extension for “Market Garden Training”

Must show ability to sell to Farmer’s Markets, CSA’s, Local Restaurants, etc.

2012- CoBank, AgriBank and Farm Credit Mid-America provided a 3 year grant to fund the program $135,000

Green City Growers Cooperative

An Evergreen Cooperative

6 acre greenhouse Will grow lettuces

and basil 42 new FTE

employees to be created

Employees will become worker-owners

Largest customers are local institutions

A majority of the employees will be neighborhood residents who were formerly incarcerated

Green City Growers Cooperative

• $ 8,000,000 HUD 108• $ 220,900 City Grant for Planning• $ 400,000 Deferred Developer Fees • $ 150,000 Predevelopment Grant• $ 4,700,000 New Market Tax Credit Equity• $ 2,000,000 HUD Brownfield Economic

Development Initiative Grant • $ 200,000 EDA Working Capital• $ 1,400,000 Evergreen Fund • $17,070,900 Total Project

Cleveland Crops Collaboration between the OSU Cooperative

Extension Service and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Currently 20 adults working on 6 gardens Constructing an Agricultural Education Center

with greenhouse, hoop houses, refrigerated storage, a commercial kitchen for year round farming and employment

Goal is 100 adults working

City of Cleveland

Tracey NicholsDirector Dept. of Economic Development(216) 664-3611tnichols2@city.cleveland.oh.us