Afro Jam is a revenue-producer for Detroit’s Oakland Avenue Urban Farm. Image: Eric Freedman
By Eric Freedman
In recent years I’ve read a lot about — and written a little about — urban farming but hadn’t put my boots on the ground at one until recently when I joined MSU faculty members and grad students on a tour of the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit’s North End.
It’s a place of contrasts, physical and otherwise. There’s the agricultural activity — raised vegetable and flower beds, pear trees, 120 blueberry bushes, rows of tomato plants, two hoop houses and large piles of compost and mulch. There are bee hives, beets, butterflies, empty small chicken coop and plans for an apple orchard Continue reading
