Understandably, you might still be shunning national best-and-worst lists since Forbes’ February bashing of Cleveland. But in its most recent 2008 rankings, sustainlane.com put the city at No. 2 when it comes to sustainable food, thanks to our farmers markets, urban farmers and community-supported agriculture programs.
“That means both turning a vacant lot into a community garden on East 79th Street and growing plants in the sunny-but-chronically-underused Galleria building,” explains David Pearl of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition. “Add social entrepreneurship to the mix with organizations like City Fresh and Fresh Fork, … and you have the recipe for some exciting changes in the way Cleveland is viewed.”
And since you probably already know what people such as Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Pat and Dan Conway and Greenhouse Tavern’s Jonathon Sawyer are doing for the cause, here are a few more names you should know.
Morgan Taggart
Program specialist, Urban Agriculture Program at The Ohio State University extension
impact // In addition to training more than 100 urban farmers and market gardeners, Taggart worked with colleagues Matt Russell and Brad Masi to start the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Food Policy Coalition, which is currently establishing a local-food purchasing guide and working with farmers markets to accept government-assistance cards.
in her own words // “One of the things Cleveland has become known for is innovative policy development, whether that’s being able to raise bees and chickens in your backyard or leveraging the purchasing power of local government to procure foods. Everybody has a seat at the table.”
Vel Scott
Owner, Vel’s Purple Oasis, Frank Avenue
and Petrarca Road, Cleveland
impact // Vel and her husband, Don Scott, now deceased, bought a dozen lots on Frank Avenue over the course of 25 years. After realizing they didn’t need the land for parking, Vel decided to use it for gardening. Last year, the Oasis became the home of a straw-bale greenhouse and hosted cooking, permaculture and gardening workshops for members of the community and John Hay High School students. Last summer, Vel shared much of the garden’s produce with neighbors and prepared and served meals at the Ronald McDonald House.
in her own words // “It gave people hope that something is going to happen — something good is going to grow out of an empty lot.”
Carl Skalak
Farmer, Blue Pike Farm, East 72nd Street
and St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland
impact // After a career in journalism, Skalak became an urban farmer. He even made a deal with Even Cut Abrasive Co. to farm an acre of land the company kept as grass. Now with a Thursday evening farmers garden and a list of restaurant clients, his Blue Pike Farm is one of the biggest urban farms in the region, and Skalak may be the only person farming full time in the city of Cleveland. This year, he plans to produce more, adding fruit trees, brambles and strawberries to the farm.
in his own words // “Farming is a business. Gardening’s a hobby. Gardens are about recreation. Farming is about production. Not that there’s anything wrong in being a gardener and a hobbyist.”
Grow For It
The freshest foods come from your own backyard. Need some pointers? Check out one of these May classes posted at localfoodcleveland.org. The Ning social media network site connects more than 1,600 people and is a great place to learn about local food issues.
Thu 5/6
Laying Out &
Preparing Your Garden
7-8:30 p.m., Basket of Life Farm, 4965 Quick Road,
Peninsula; $25, preregister with eric@basketoflifefarm.com
Sat 5/8
Growing Herbs
10 a.m.-noon, Ben Franklin Community Garden, 1905 Spring Road, Cleveland,
216-429-8224; free, reservation required
Tue 5/11
All You Need to Know
to Start a Vegetable Garden
7-9 p.m., Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., Euclid,
216-261-5300; free
