"Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization." - Daniel Webster
Many companies are making efforts to convert their operations with environmentally responsible work practices to deliver environmentally-friendly products. This strategy is often referred to as “greening,” and it involves efforts such as reusability, recycling, reduction of environmental hazards, energy efficiency, and responsible manufacturing practices.
At MILTON MANUFACTURING, we have taken those “greening” efforts a step further. MILTON owns vacant properties that were once the site of derelict homes and we are converting those lands into a “community greenbelt.” Last year, we had a very bountiful food harvest and flower garden from these parcels of land; and our expectations are mounting as we prepare to plant our “crops” again this year.
Detroit Mayor Bing and his administration are currently working on a plan to align the city’s geography with its ability to deliver services, and urban farming can be a key component of putting the city’s vacant land into productive use, according to Albert Fields, group executive for planning for the City of Detroit,
“We’re in the process of looking at the city of Detroit and getting it ready for the future – How do we align our resources? How do we align our land policy? And, how do we put those things in place that get us ready when we return from this economic downturn and get into a better position to grow?” Fields went on to say, “The City is working to develop an entrepreneur-friendly system to encourage commercial farm growth in Detroit.”
The city has about 30,000 acres that are vacant or the site of derelict properties, which amounts to about 200,000 parcels.
With all the recent talk of urban farming, one would think that the idea is a new one — but it is not. “Victory gardens” of fruit, vegetables, and herbs sprouted in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) during World Wars I and II. Citizens in these communities participated in local, urban farming to help ease the pressure on food production volumes aimed to support our military during the war effort.
Facts on Urban Farming:
Social:
- Urban Agriculture can help to improve the livelihood of people living in and around cities.
- 800 million people are involved in urban agriculture worldwide and contribute to feeding urban residents.
- It took humans 10,000 years to learn how to grow most of the crops we now take for granted.
- 50% of the world’s population lives in cities.
- By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth’s population will reside in urban centers.
Benefits:
- Urban agriculture results in an increase in entrepreneurial activities and the creation of job opportunities, as well as in the reduction of food costs and an increase in products of better quality.
- Urban agriculture provides an important opportunity for women to be a part of the informal economy of a city because farming and selling activities can be combined more easily with household tasks and child care.
- Citizens are transformed from being not only consumers of food to generators of agricultural products with improved health and lowered poverty levels.
MILTON’s gardens are open to our neighboring community. The fact that low-income urban dwellers spend between 40% and 60% of their income on food each year… is reason enough for MILTON to assist our neighbors. The community has shown respect for our efforts by contributing to the upkeep of the gardens.
MILTON MANUFACTURING has forged an educational and working relationship with the nationally-recognized civil and human rights organization, Focus:HOPE.
MILTON’S Hero… the Inspirational Story of Steve B., MILTON’s Manufacturing Manager
The introduction of the MILTON Blog has created quite a buzz!
