Photo courtesy of www.breakingthroughconcrete.com
let on Through Concrete shows the variety of urban agribusiness throughout the U.S.
When David Hanson and Edwin Marty realized that most of their recent conversations revolve around the popularity of urban farms , the yoke decided the trend was worth writing about .
“ We decided to put together a Holy Scripture proposal to take a liberal look at urban farming in America , ” pronounce Hanson . “ It was something we wanted to do ASAP because it was a overbold trend . ”
A few calendar month after sending out the marriage proposal , University of California Press agreed to publish their book , Breaking Through Concrete : Stories from the American Urban Farm .
As presently as the declaration was signed , Hanson , a Seattle - establish freelance journalist , and Marty , founder ofJones Valley Urban Farmin Birmingham , Ala. , began plan their research .
“ It was an existential project , not something that could be done from behind the computer , ” Hanson pronounce .
In 2010 , the pair set out on a route trip to document the urban farm movement in America . They crisscrossed the country in a grease - powered motorbus with honor - winning photographer Michael Hanson and documentary movie maker Charlie Hoxie . Their research was funded by a grant fromWhyHunger , a New York - based nonprofit organization that supports crusade to end hunger around the globe .
Their tour started in Seattle in May 2010 . Over the course of two months , they finish in 18 city , including Santa Cruz , Calif. , Clarksdale , Miss. , Birmingham , Ala. Washington , D.C. , Philadelphia , Pa. , Cleveland , Ohio and Detroit , Mich. , to talk with urban farmers about their work .
“ We occupy going in [ to the project ] that all of the farms would look the same and have the same mission , ” recalls Hanson . “ However , they all had a decided approach and methodological analysis , and that allow us to take a really divers look at urban farming . ”
In writingBreaking Through Concrete , which is due out this fall , Hanson and Marty want to document the urban farming movement while inspiring the link between citizenry , place and food .
When choose farm to profile , the team need to recognize husbandman who were not only growing intellectual nourishment but also providing services to their communities through farming .
Breaking Through Concretepays tribute to the urban farmers who are conduct an environmental and social trend that transforms the interior food for thought scheme . The book include details about the urban farming movement in America , along with pragmatic advice for young Fannie Merritt Farmer on topics such as composting , keeping livestock , petitioning to change zoning legal philosophy and decontaminate toxic soil .
At the heart of the book are 14 visibility of urban farms across the nation . The profiles crop from an urban farm at an alternative school in Detroit and a restaurant supply garden on a rooftop in Brooklyn , N.Y. , to a backyard nutrient swap in New Orleans , La. , and a garden project for the homeless person in Santa Cruz , Calif.
Though the farms are distinct , their impacts are like : Urban farms transform environs , create Job and training opportunities , dilate local economic system , and provide intelligent food to community .
consort to Hanson , the goal was to show that urban land “ is not just a West Coast , dismal - state thing .
“ We wanted to celebrate urban farming and paint an honest exposure of how it bear witness up in communities , ” he says . “ We see [ the book ] as a benchmark for where we are right now in this rural area with urban farming . ”
More information onBreaking Through Concretecan be foundhere .
Jodi Helmer is the generator ofThe Green Year : 365 little thing you could Do to Make a Big Difference .
