I am from a small, automobile suburb called Montoursville, Pa. Montoursville has about 4,611 residents and borders a higher density streetcar suburb called Williamsport with a population of 29,381 residents. Montoursville has a broad landscape and a mixed-use area in the center of town. In the urban downtown of Montoursville, houses are thinly dispersed and some can walk, or use bikes for transportation. The majority of the population lives in the suburban area using vehicles as their primary transportation mode. In order to get fresh produce we would rely on homegrown fruits and vegetables, a long drive to a local farmer’s house, or a reasonable drive to the grocery store. There was very little public transportation because the majority of the population is located in the automobile suburbs. Although the area is high in agricultural production it would require an unsustainable mode of transportation to acquire fresh produce.
The approach to sustainability in Detroit relates to my hometown because last June, Montoursville opened Local Fare, a business created to help promote local agriculture and spread awareness about sustainable farming. Detroit is a prime example of how urban agriculture can be applied practically anywhere. With some cognitive transition and some back-to-basic methods of farming, green space can be utilized to not only provide for the family and community but also make a living from. Since foods with low environmental impact are healthier and tastier, this sustainable, grassroots form of farming could reshape diets, forming an overall healthier community. The Local Fare is quickly expanding, bringing the community together and I’m hoping it encourages more people to participate in sustainable gardening.
In Haiti, the community is using old tires to help structure their farming practices. This method is also providing families with income. The bordering city to my hometown, Williamsport, has a higher population density and less land available than Montoursville. Williamsport could start using this tire method of gardening on top of buildings and rooftops to eliminate land usage. There are scrap tires in stockpiles throughout the world, often taking up room and not disposed of because of health concerns. Recycling used tires is an innovative, environmentally good method of farming. After families break-even this could even be very profitable for them in the long run. This transition to sustainability could not only improve the community’s wealth and income, but it can also have positive effects on the environment.
