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NRCS begins pilot program in Cleveland

A high tunnel pilot project for urban farmers in Cleveland was announced on Monday by 11th District Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. The Congresswoman tells Brownfield the high tunnels will extend the growing season for urban farmers, while helping increase the availability of locally grown produce.

“But primarily it’s about nutrition,” said Representative Fudge. “It’s about feeding people, it’s about letting people know that I care, that USDA cares and that we are going to do everything we possibly can to make sure that we make our communities healthier and safer places.”

NRCS Chief Dave White, in Cleveland for the announcement, says more than 50 applications were received in the initial round of funding from NRCS.

“We now have about 22 of these high tunnels that are going to be going in, in various parts of Cleveland that are going to be producing healthy foods for the local community, it’s going to be jobs and it’s going to be done in an environmentally sound manner,” said White.

In addition to the high tunnel pilot project, Congresswoman Fudge also announced that Agribank, CoBank and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America presented a $135,000 donation to support beginning urban farmers through the City of Cleveland’s ‘Gardening for Greenbacks’ program.

The Farm Credit donation will fund grants of up to $5,000 to acquire equipment such as tools, irrigation equipment and fencing.

Audio: Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and NRCS Chief Dave White (7:05 mp3)