Every collapse offers new opportunities to rebuild with a new vision, but it’s up to individuals to take the right risks and the right sacrifices to transform a distressed piece of real estate into a progressive model for community development. While many see the current situation of real estate as an opportunity to purchase undervalued pieces of property as investments, I see the opportunity to become part of social and agricultural movements that have the capacity to thrive under current conditions. Urban farming and community coordination are both aspects of an environmentally sustainable society that ensures maximum returns on investment from financial and personal satisfaction perspectives alike. But before I come off as a complete idealist, I should assert that while heart and the right intentions are great, an investor needs to have a sound business plan, and a potential community action leader must have the right approach. With this in mind, if I were to acquire $150,000 in cash to be used specifically for a distressed real estate purchase, I would buy urban property in Detroit with the intent of making my new properties part of the growing movement of community supported urban farming. Before going any farther, I should clearly articulate my intentions in this seemingly non-lucrative venture. In the past few years, I’ve become fascinated with America’s food systems, the rise of organic and local food, and the injustice of “food deserts,” or areas that lack affordable nutritious food, that plague low income areas. Consequently, you could say that my direction in this plan is that of personal satisfaction, but I would assert that my goal is to remain true to the concept of sustainable development, and thus I wish to make ... ... middle of paper ... ...d cents, a communal sense of personal satisfaction goes a long way. Works Cited Christensen, Roxanne, and Satzewich, Wally. “Live a New Ideal—Become an Urban Farm Family.” SPIN Farming. 2008. "Hantz Farms." Hantz Farms. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. . Harris, Paul. "Detroit Gets Growing." The Guardian. 11 July 2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. Jones, Tim. "Detroit's Outlook Falls along with Home Prices." The Chicago Tribune. 29 Jan. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. Saulny, Susan. "Cutting Out the Middlemen, Shoppers Buy Slices of Farms." The New York Times. 10 July 2008. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. "Urban Farming : Get Involved." Urban Farming. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. . Whitford, David. "Farming: One Way to Try and save Detroit." CNNMoney. 29 Dec. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2011.
Many in the U.S., today, try to eat well,balanced, meals to order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They do so by purchasing their food at farmers markets or making their own meals, so their food isn’t processed or genetically modified. Even though people are trying to maintain health in order to live long lives, without medical complications, many don’t have the opportunity to pursue life like this. In “Research shows food deserts more abundant in minority neighborhoods,” the author, Kelly Brooks, portrays an anecdote and logical reasoning, from Kelly Bower’s research, to thoroughly describe the food deserts in poor minority neighborhoods and how this issue needs to be repaired.
Because of the amount of overdeveloped areas that are now vacant, the desire to renovate old vacant properties and land plots has all but disappeared. What if there was a beneficial solution to unused land plots in need of rehab and redesign? What if, instead of paving over every leftover inch of grass and dirt in urban areas to make room for more parking for our daily commuting polluters, we instead reinvent that land for a purpose that is both beneficial to our
A major issue that is occurring in America is a phenomena known as “food deserts”, most are located in urban areas and it's difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Whereas in the past, food deserts were thought to be solved with just placing a grocery store in the area, but with times it has become an issue that people are not picking the best nutritional option. This issue is not only making grocery store in food deserts are practically useless and not really eliminating the issue of food deserts because even when they are given a better nutritional option, and people are not taking it. In my perspective, it takes more than a grocery store to eliminate ‘food deserts’. It's more about demonstrating the good of picking the nutritional option and how it can help them and their families. For example, “Those who live in these areas are often subject to poor diets as a result and are at a greater risk of becoming obese or developing chronic diseases.”(Corapi, 2014).
Ploeg, M. ver; Breneman, V.; Farrigan, T.; Hamrick, K.; Hopkins, D.;Kaufman, P.; Lin, B. H.; Nord, M.; Smith, T.; Williams, R.; Kinnison, Access to affordable and nutritious food measuring and understanding food deserts and their consequences : report to Congress ([Rev. Sept. 3, 2009] ed.). (2009). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
More and more farm-to-table restaurants, farmer’s markets, and food co-ops are cropping up to meet the demand among consumers for healthy, local foods, as more chefs and consumers recognize the poorer taste and nutritional integrity of ingredients shipped in from far away. Fruits and vegetables that have to be shipped long distances are often picked before they have a chance to fully ripen and absorb nutrients from their surroundings. Because local food doesn’t have to travel long distances, it is grown in order to taste better and be healthier rather than to be resilient to long travel. The farm-to-table movement also helps local economies by supporting small farmers, which is a dying
Although not directly related to community gardens in America, I found this article interesting and exciting regarding the importance of urban gardens outside the United States. The urban gardens of Istanbul that are in danger of being bulldozed have fed people for over 400 years. The land has been farmed by Armenians, Bulgarians, Albanians, and more recently, Syrian and Afghan refugees. They have been the only source of food for many who would otherwise starve. Mr. Shopov has studied urban farming extensively. Although the majority of this paper has little to do with my research, he gave a quote that I would like to remember and possibly incorporate into my research. He says that urban farming and community gardens relate to “modern concepts like food justice and sustainable cities. When food is produced locally, farming practices are more visible to consumers, so laborers are less likely to be underpaid and mistreated, or pesticides used.” Overall not nearly as important as other sources I have found, but it did add to my understanding of the importance of community
“Food Deserts” as defined by the CDC, are “areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). In simpler terms, a food desert is a community with little to no grocery stores. Many reports show that neighborhoods with less access to neighborhood grocery stores have a higher risk for obesity and unhealthy diets unlike neighborhoods where residents have better access to neighborhood grocery stores. The “USDA estimates that 23.5 million people, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income areas that are than one mile from a supermarket. Of the 23.5 million, 11.5 million are low-income individuals in households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. Of the 2.3 million people living in low-income rural areas that ...
Food Inc. is a documentary displaying the United States food industry in a negative light by revealing the inhumane, eye opening, worst case scenario processes of commercial farming for large corporate food manufacturing companies. Food Inc. discusses, at length, the changes that society and the audience at home can make to their grocery shopping habits to enable a more sustainable future for all involved.
Ploeg, M. ver; Breneman, V.; Farrigan, T.; Hamrick, K.; Hopkins, D.;Kaufman, P.; Lin, B. H.; Nord, M.; Smith, T.; Williams, R.; Kinnison, Access to affordable and nutritious food measuring and understanding food deserts and their consequences : report to Congress ([Rev. Sept. 3, 2009] ed.). (2009). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
"Building Partnerships to Revitalize America's Neighborhoods." HBCU Central (Winter 2002): 1-6. Winter 2002. Web. 2 May 2012.
Former editor of Us News and World Report and recipient of Guggenheim Award,Stephen Budiansky in his article, “Math Lessons For Locavores”,published in August 19,2012 addresses the topic of locally grown food and argues it as a more sustainable choice in terms of freshness and seasons.I agree with Budiansky for growing food locally,however; with three other reasons: we can reduce food waste,(which will benefit the environment), and obesity(which will help an individual mentally and physically), and improve our economy. The purpose is to illustrate why locally grown foods would be a finer option for an American lifestyle. Budiansky adopts an informative,persuasive,and insightful tone for his audience,readers
In recent history, farming in America has changed dramatically, and Naylor’s farm is representative of many in the American Corn Belt. Though it began growing a variety of crops and keeping livestock too, Naylor now only plants corn and soybeans. In Naylor’s grandfather’s days, the farm fed the whole family with just enough left over for twelve others. Now, Naylor indirectly feeds an estimated 129 people, but this does not mean his farm is any more successful. In fact, Naylor’s farm cannot financially support his family.
For economists and politicians, there are a few things that still are not considered, and the missing answers are only piling up; someone always has to win or lose out. Food policies are one of them. Bringing urban agriculture to cities is an incomparable move. When community food growing flourishes, the consumers seem to be healthier and smarter about what they eat, less p...
A mortgage is a form of debt, secured by the warranty of a specific real estate property. The borrower is required to pay back the debt in predetermined payments. The most common reason for acquiring a mortgage is to purchase real estate when it cannot be paid for up front. The homebuyer, in a residential mortgage, pledges their home to the bank. Over a period of years, the borrower pays back the loan with interest. Once the mortgage is paid in entirety, the owner retains the property free of any charges. However, in case of foreclosure, the bank has an entitlement on the house, as a form of insurance should the buyer default on repaying the mortgage. The bank can then sell the house, and use the capital to pay back the remaining mortgage.
Home loans, or mortgages, use a borrower's home for collateral. This home can be a single-family house up to four-unit property, as well as condominium or cooperative unit. Lenders fund home loan, but both the lender themselves and broker who act on behalf of the lenders originate.