City Farm: South Providence’s Urban Agriculture Transformation

Agriculture was once one of the founding industries of the United States. Now with increased attention on food systems and many people finding themselves in city-settings, urban farms are sprouting up around the country. In Providence, Rhode Island, the <a href="http://www.southsideclt.org/">Southside Community Land Trust</a> has helped make this possible for many urbanites. They help transform vacant, polluted lots into productive food gardens and offer educational programs to community members. Their three-quarter acre commercial <a href="http://www.southsideclt.org/cityfarm">City Farm</a> is an important part of the Land Trust, selling produce at the local farmers markets and offering a 10-week summer enrichment program for students.

Farm steward Rich Pederson explains the areas turbulent history of conflict and neglect. Originally a marshland, the plot has seen its history of dwellers pass through. A strong Jewish and Irish community once thrived and the now farm was once host to seven houses.

South Providence is still marked by today's economic conditions and many houses are vacant with boarded windows and "Do not enter" signs.

Amidst the decay signs of hope can be found in the greenery sprouting up all over. Here, greens grow out of cement blocks proving gardening can be incorporated into an urban landscape.

Laura Brown-Lavoie, apprentice, (left) and Rich Pederson, farm steward, (right) work together to make the farm run.

Composting is the base for production and healthy soil for any successful farm.

The farm is filled with a range of homemade compost bins ranging in style and fermentation cycle.

The farm has an exchange system with several local businesses including the nearby White Electric Coffee Shop which contributes coffee grounds in exchange for fresh flowers.

Laura demonstrates how to sift out materials that were not completely broken down in the composting cycle before spreading the new fertilizer on the soil.

Farm produce is sold at three local farmers markets throughout the week. On Tuesdays, City Farm also participates in a grange inspired coop that provides fresh produce to local restaurants.

Integrated into the green-filled plot, several quirky innovations can be found.

Old cement blocks now serve as planters that demonstrate how the farm has taken advantage of the surrounding urban environment while also providing inspiration for visitors.

Integrated into the green-filled plot, several quirky innovations can be found.

A series of planter bins were made from recycled wooden crates.

A greenhouse helps keep the farm going year round. Its energy is supplied by solar panels.

Some livestock can even be found at the farm.

Visitors are invited to visit City Farm. A Better World by Design conference offered an educational workshop that took participants on a walking tour of the farm with steward, Rich Pederson.

Children's Garden is a 20 year old program that brings 200 students to the farm in the summer for 10 weeks of gardening and educational enrichment.

Laura Brown-Lavoie has been working at the farm for three years. She and her sister, Tes, recently started their own urban farm called Sidewalk Ends Farm. One of the biggest initial challenges was treating the lead contamination in the soil.

Rich Pederson considers himself a farmer, educator and citizen scientist.

City Farms believes in an open-gate policy whereby community involvement and engagement is encouraged and relationships form over food.