Difference between revisions of "Urban agriculture"

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(Other Sources)
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** Shane Bernardo -Outreach Coordinator - (sbernardo@cskdetroit.org)
 
** Shane Bernardo -Outreach Coordinator - (sbernardo@cskdetroit.org)
 
*** Shane's Number: 313-579-2100 ext 204
 
*** Shane's Number: 313-579-2100 ext 204
*Annmarie Borucki at Midtown Detroit, Inc. (annmarieborucki@yahoo.com)
+
*Annmarie Borucki at [http://detroitmidtown.com/05/ Midtown Detroit, Inc]. (annmarieborucki@yahoo.com)
 
** Annmarie's Number: 313-420-6000
 
** Annmarie's Number: 313-420-6000
  

Revision as of 17:33, 10 October 2011

return to Urban Sustainability Library

Soil Nutrition

Michigan State University Extension Services has a soil testing service. It can be found here. The test kit itself can be ordered from here for $20. You mail in the soil sample for testing and they send you the results by mail. You can then see how well the soil can support ag use. You might also study what types of soils the prospective plants require, so you can make the best match.


This testing, however, will not test for toxins in the soil. That would need to be done by a Soil Engineering company. The problem is that you could get a general idea, but it varies every 10ft (or less.) This is because in urban areas you have houses torn down with lead and asbestos, oil dumped, heavy metals in the air. So you need to be careful. I would think that you could get one toxin based test done for $200 - $300.

Drainage

Drainage is best done through observation and testing. Go to the prospective site during a rain storm and see where the water runs off...does it pond in areas? How long does it take for the water to drain?

Regarding testing for drainage: on our website are instructions on how to do a percolation test. It can be found here. This is free.

Drainage is most affected by soil type (sand, loam, clay) and the slope of the land. We have a very high and thick clay layer in Detroit which makes our soils, in general, difficult to drain. (Clay is the most impervious of soils...sand is the least.) This is because our region was a former lake bed in the ice age. So if we do have any drainage it is the result of human influenced rubble on top of this bed of clay. It's this human influenced rubble that needs to be tested.

General

Explore Permaculture as a sustainable way to approach agriculture. It is very strong in every aspect of growing healthy food in a sustainable way. Here's some links:

Experts

  • Annmarie Borucki at Midtown Detroit, Inc. (annmarieborucki@yahoo.com)

Companions

  • Kirsten Lyons of the Green Garage - (earthcentralllc@gmail.com) - landscape designer and horticulturist

Other Sources

  • The Greening of Detroit
    • Ashley Atkinson (ashley@greeningofdetroit.com)
      • General number: 313-237-8733
  • Earthworks Urban Farm
    • Shane Bernardo -Outreach Coordinator - (sbernardo@cskdetroit.org)
      • Shane's Number: 313-579-2100 ext 204
  • Annmarie Borucki at Midtown Detroit, Inc. (annmarieborucki@yahoo.com)
    • Annmarie's Number: 313-420-6000

Source: Google Group Discussion