Released under the GIC Framework
Raised Gardens in St. Louis
Associated Challenge:
In a partnership coordinated by Tom and Carol Braford, M∙CAM is partnering with the communities in St. Louis on a project that we’re calling ‘Hopeville Gardens’ in honor of those displaced members of the community who have chosen to find a means to live in economic times which increasingly marginalize people in St. Louis and across the country.
St Louis has the space, water, sunshine, labor and soil to grow vegetables in raised bed gardens to improve nutrition, provide gainful activity and transform communities. The challenge is to build beds from materials readily available in the community including abandoned houses and to select appropriate crops for each season. There is also the potential for the creation of cottage industries that convert abandoned materials into useful products. Trust structures may serve to establish a relationship with the city for land use, planned demolition, cottage industries and training programs.
Commodity:
St Louis has a surfeit of abandoned houses with doors, windows, brick, timbers, etc. in abundance. Land (space) in the form of empty lots, paved lots, rooftops, etc. is also in abundance. Water is in abundance. The challenge is to utilize these commodities for the production of food crops.
Custom & Culture:
Gardening is a popular concept even in settings where there is little knowledge of the practical needs. Trusts, coops and other structures can be employed to provide the means to relate people to people and people to community structures.
Knowledge:
Community gardening is a well developed field and knowledge of gardening in an urban setting abounds. Transferring this knowledge to people who want to produce their own food is the goal. Demolition skills and utilization of materials to make marketable products are also transferrable.
Money:
The productivity of urban gardens will support the minimal amounts of credit needed to buy seeds and supplies that cannot otherwise be found through garden or community initiatives. Money can also be earned from the creation of cottage industries that convert abandoned materials into useful products.
Technology:
Stationary and portable systems for raised bed gardens can be built adapting available materials. The means to extract materials and convert them to usable products involves the use of a variety of technologies.
Well-being:
Better nutrition, gainful activity, and community spirit will all improve with the addition of community gardens. People better able to meet their own needs will experience improved well being. Neighbors will feel more secure in an environment where people are enjoying the fruits of their labor.