Tallahassee, Florida (WTXL) — Hunger is a major problem with big bends and is exacerbated by pandemics. In 2020 alone Big bend second harvest Delivered over £ 15m of food in 11 counties.
Today, Tallahassee’s new partnership is growing new solutions to meet the needs of healthy foods. They offer urban farmers new opportunities while helping their most needed communities rebound.
“My great-grandfather here in Tallahassee sold corn and peanuts to the USDA,” said Donna Cottonterell.
She is a recent graduate City Farm TLH Urban Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Training program. She applied for dozens of people from all over the city.
“Of those 45, 15 were selected,” explained Cottonerell. “I was grateful to be one of those 15 people.”
The group acquired new skills and knowledge from the land of Kissimmee Street this spring.
Adam Jacobs is Tallahassee’s Sustainability and Resilience Manager. He said the project began with “providing entrepreneurial opportunities for locals as well as food shortages.”
The goal is to increase the vacant lots in the city and turn them into gardens for future sustainability.
“We may rent out vacant lots to recent program graduates so they can consider starting their own urban farming,” Jacob explained.
Much of the southern part of Tallahassee is in the food desert, where fresh and healthy food is not readily available.The city has partnered Wakura Environmental Research Institute, Tallahassee Community College And Florida A & M University Small Business Development Center To achieve that.
“We have focused on providing in-depth support to minorities and women-owned businesses,” added Keith Bowers. He is the regional director of FAMU’s SME Development Center. “I think it’s the perfect time for an urban farm initiative,” Bowers added.
Bowers also explained that minority business owners are having a hard time getting started. “According to statistics, they face twice as many challenges as the majority of business owners.”
This project aims to lead these business owners to success. Koterel plans to use what she has learned to improve her neighborhood. “I want to spread it to the community and help others here in the south build their own urban agriculture,” she concludes.
The city will hold a second training from August. Teaching will be online classes and hands-on demonstrations.
Urban agriculture promotes sustainability, new business opportunities
Source link Urban agriculture promotes sustainability, new business opportunities