Mills Works To Promote Urban Agriculture
City
Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Environment Committee, is
exploring options to promote urban agriculture in Columbus neighborhoods. Councilmembers
recently passed ordinance 2034-2015, sponsored by Councilmember Mills, to allow
the City of Columbus to contract with the planning and urban design firm MKSK
to prepare the Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan. The plan will serve as the blueprint for
creating guidelines to support increased access to healthy foods and reuse
space in urban neighborhoods.
“We want to
create a guide to starting an urban farm,” said Councilmember Mills, who is
also the Development Committee chair.
“Urban agriculture promotes better nutrition for our families, provides
an opportunity for exercise, and encourages residents to interact and work
together to create a local, sustainable food source and transform their
neighborhood into the place the entire city can be proud of.”
The Plan has two components. The
first is a review of internal City rules, regulations, codes, policies and
procedures that impact urban agriculture. The second is a market study and
business plan focused on the potential of developing, attracting and growing
green businesses and activities within core urban areas with a high volume of
vacant parcels.
The
study aligns with the objective and goals found in
The Columbus Green Community Plan: Green Memo III to add 10 acres of land for food production during the next five years. It is expected that the transformation of
vacant or abandoned property to food production sites will encourage
redevelopment of existing buildings and advance the creation of food hubs.
“We are very excited
to embark upon this study which will help us improve food security and
equitable access to local, healthy food while creating jobs and revitalizing
our neighborhoods,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
Councilmember
Mills is also working to increase access to healthy food in her role as
President and CEO of St. Stephen’s Community House. The Linden area social service agency
created Project AquaStar, an urban farm that raises tilapia and vegetables that
provides food and educational opportunities for area residents.
-30-