Urban Farming

To many, Detroit is a crime-riddled wasteland. Buried in debt and tied up in corruption, the city has been a prime example of struggling cities across the nation. So how do we promote peace and unity in a community that sorely needs it, while at the same time providing safe jobs to revitalize the local economy? Start growing. More programs encouraging urban farming in Detroit are the best way to revitalize the city. Farms in Detroit would promote many economic opportunities. Turning block after block of urban blight into beautiful urban farms would benefit the city in many ways. Employment would increase, as a system emerged supporting everything from crops and gardens to bustling markets and restaurants relying on local produce. One of the city's most acknowledged problems is that, "Detroit’s land has lost its value, eroding the city’s tax base and making it even harder for the city to maintain neighborhoods or keep empty lots from decaying further" (Timm). The city would be making much more in taxes, both from those who would finally be employed and property finally being utilized, and would save money on no longer having to maintain empty areas. As the city took in more it would be able to put more out, improving education for those who work in non-agricultural areas of the city and therefore improving the urban center. A more beautiful and safer Detroit would also greatly improve tourism, one of the most important industries we've been losing out on. As the situation in Detroit improved, development would be stimulated and investors would be interested again. Detroit already has the engineering and manufacturing resources to make this drastic change work, all it needs is support. Farms would also help eliminate crime and corruption in Detroit. Other than the feeble economy, the city's other biggest problem is what people resort to to survive. What makes urban agriculture such a good choice for Detroit is not just the fact that it creates jobs, it's the type of jobs it creates. Many cities without Detroit's horrible unemployment still have high crime rates. The beauty of farming is that it encourages community, as seen in most rural parts of the country. A strong supportive community is more likely to eliminate crime and the cutthroat competitiveness seen on "the streets". Also, as more people become involved in issues like zoning and pollution, community involvement in the government will increase. Combine that with less crime and pay-offs, and corruption in both the government and police force would drop dramatically. Eventually, as time progressed, individuals who truly care about the city would replace those in authority positions who don't. Most opponents of urban farming argue against the idea of farms replacing established areas that could be used otherwise. These advocates for efficiency are right when they claim, "urbanization is what makes it possible to raise standards of living everywhere" (Badger). The point here is not to take up space that could be used for business or residence, but to improve land that is ruining the rest of the city. Opponents of certain projects will agree that urban farming can be practical, but, "it is critical