Blue Pike Farm, started by Carl Skalak, transformed a one-acre vacant lot owned by Even-Cut Abrasives near East 72nd Street and Saint Clair Avenue in Cleveland.

How local can you go?” was the slogan for the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy's (CVCC) “Eat Local Challenge” last fall. During this event the CVCC encouraged residents of Northeast Ohio to buy at least 10 percent of their food from local sources such as farmers' markets and farms. The thought is that supporting local food sources helps to retain money in the local economy while also increasing access to fresher tasting, more nutritious produce. In Cleveland, city residents now have the opportunity to take “local” to the next level by buying produce from one of several new market gardens in the city.

Market gardens are usually defined by their small acreage and the diversity of their crops. Produce from market gardens can be found at neighborhood farmers' markets, individual stands at the gardens and area restaurants. Another purchaser of produce from market gardens is Fresh Stops, a modified community supported agriculture (CSA) model that purchases local produce and sells “market bags” at various sites throughout the city. Fresh Stops aim to increase access to fresh farm produce in urban areas. Eight market gardens opened for business in Cleveland in 2006, varying in size from a few raised beds to a one-acre site in the Saint Clair-Superior neighborhood. They generated a tremendous variety of fresh produce including greens, radishes, sweet carrots, beets, fragrant herbs, heirloom tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes and garlic.

Market gardeners have some distinct advantages when it comes to growing foods in an urban environment. These gardeners are geographically near to the variety of markets operating in Cleveland and have opportunities to develop close relationships with the market shoppers who tend to be socio-economically and ethnically diverse, as well as increasingly interested in buying local food. The gardeners also have access to untapped sources of organic waste from restaurants and grocery stores, enabling them to produce fantastic compost to improve their soils. Plus, due to their proximity to each other, urban growers have formed a strong camaraderie to support each other in their new business ventures by sharing supplies, resources and ideas.

Urban growers face unique challenges of growing food in the city. For example, they must be concerned about possible contamination of urban soils from the previous use of the land by industry or former residents. Therefore, each market garden submits soil samples to Ohio State University Extension to be tested for heavy-metal contamination. Based on the results, growers may add soil amendments and compost to create optimal growing conditions. Gardeners also employ intensive growing techniques in order to maximize their crop yields on small parcels of land.

Sister team Emmy and Jessica Levine of Wonder City Farm in Clevleand.

Market gardens are a viable use of vacant land in a city, especially urban areas that struggle to maintain their population. Cleveland, like many other Rust Belt cities, has lost over 40 percent of its population since 1950. This dramatic decrease in population density and the corresponding increase in vacant lots and abandoned properties is an ongoing challenge in post-industrial cities throughout the state of Ohio. Urban food production is an excellent use of this resource of vacant land because it encourages small-business development and leads to the further development of green space.

A number of Cleveland's market gardeners have participated in a training program offered by City Fresh, a local non-profit program committed to building a just and sustainable food system in Northeast Ohio. The training provides assistance in developing a business plan and a basic education in urban agriculture. The program also provides seed grants on a competitive basis to help entrepreneurs get their businesses started.

Sister team Emmy and Jessica Levine grew produce in 2006 on Cleveland's near west side at their Wonder City Farm. After finding great success growing a variety of vegetables and herbs at their market garden on the west side, they expanded to a second site on the east side where they composted kitchen waste collected from local restaurants. Seeing a need for a farmers' market in the city, they organized the Tremont Market across from Lucky's Café on Starkweather. Wonder City Farm was joined by other market gardeners as well as local artisans to create a festive farmers' market venue.

The Jones Farm in Oberlin, one of the first suppliers of City Fresh, provides hands-on training in urban agriculture for Cleveland market gardeners.

EcoVillage Produce, a venture started in 2006 by several gardeners at the Ithaca Court Community Garden in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighbor-hood, successfully grew a variety of items during their first year – several kinds of fresh herbs, edamame, tomatillos, pears and a wonderful mix of fresh specialty greens including mustards, collards, Swiss chard, turnip leaves and sweet potato leaves – all sold at the Tremont Market, to Fresh Stops and to local restaurants. Barbara Strauss, a gardener with EcoVillage Produce, says, “I really believe that this garden can have a positive effect on my neighborhood and provide income that will make a difference in people's lives.”

A growing network of entrepreneurs is looking to bring fresh produce to Cleveland's neighborhoods and eradicate the city's “food deserts” (see article titled “Fighting the Food Desert Phenomenon”). By converting abandoned lots into productive growing spaces, market gardeners are changing the landscape of Cleveland's neighborhoods. They bring economic development, more green space, sustainable land use and increased access to fresh nutritious food to city dwellers. This season, go local. Buy produce fresh grown within your own city limits.

Morgan Taggart is a Program Assistant for the Community Gardening Program at Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County. This program provides support and resources for community gardens and market gardens in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. For more information about the Community Gardening Program, please call (216) 429-8238 or visit the website at www.gotthenac.org/cityfresh.html.

Photos by Brad Masi.