Following project description is from last Tuesday's Community Development Committee meeting draft minutes (slightly edited). Bernie Waibel wrote them and did a great job describing the project. 

Katya Pilling from Redesign, Inc. reported that the old Bystrom Bros. machining site on Snelling Avenue near Hiawatha is cash flowing but there are spaces that could be better utilized. One space is a parking lot at the NE corner of 22nd St. and Snelling Ave. and future planned intersection of 22nd and Cedar Avenue. The lot is about 1/4 acre in size and is paved. Redesign has searched for ‘holding strategies’ for the property while the economy recovers and has found one for the parking lot in the shape of a garden.

Stefan Meyer of My-Erth Agricultural Enterprises, reported that an urban garden in Milwaukee (Growing Power) has been successful by placing 18 inches of wood chips atop parking lot asphalt and then installing soil above.  There is no barrier between the chips and the soil, but plants tend not to send roots into the chips. He proposes a similar plan for this garden.A Seward garden would be operated as a CSA program (Community Supported Agriculture) with membership and possibly reduced cost for produce if time and work are invested by members. The infrastructure for the project would cost about $23,000 though Stefan hopes to reduce that amount. There will be a small stipend for his work.

The site will include an unheated ‘hoop house’ built of tubular steel supports and covered with translucent plastic panels; several long growing beds; a small cooling building to chill and hold produce for several hours after harvesting and lastly, a large composting area.  The hoop house (aka ‘high tunnel’) will be unheated and will allow the growing season to be extended at each end, perfect for eggplant, salad greens, melons, peppers, etc..  The house will measure 30’ x 70’ and will cost about $5K. 

A fairly large composting area will allow the production of the enriched soil needed for the site.  Right now, it’s not certain whether neighborhood residents will be encouraged to bring vegetative matter to the site for composting. An attendee strongly encouraged Stefan to consider this and a discussion ensued about a pilot program in Linden Hills which collects household compostable material.  Smaller, locally owned grocery stores such as Cub could be requested to separate their compostables for use at the garden.

Redesign is now writing grant proposals seeking funding for a youth farm component to teach and provide hands-on experience (Redesign is also keeping in mind the old Peace Garden site at Matthews).  There are two small grants in hand at this time from the Seward Co-op and the Patagonia Foundation.

Attendees were excited about the plans and promised a warm reception when Stefan and Redesign return at a future date to request support for a zoning variance.