The challenge for many urban agriculture propositions is accountability. No city government wants the liability and responsibility for tending to crops and livestock if a neighborhood association fails to maintain its community garden/farm. One helpful metaphor for accountability issues comes from Odysseus’ encounter with the Sirens. In order not to be tempted by their songs he ordered his crew to lash him to the ship’s mast. For urban agriculture to be successful, the groups responsible for the maintenance of these sites must be “tied to the mast” so that they are not tempted to allow the sites to fall into decay.
via vacant property :: urban opportunities: Agricultural Uses.
I like this tied to the mast idea when it comes to starting up these “grassroots” urban renewal projects. A lot of urban ag programs in the U.S. (and I mean this loosely) are lead by transplanted city-zens who are often white, well-educated and prone to flighty flings of socially minded fantasy – I am a great example of this. Are we certain that converting a vacant lot into a working farm will hold our interest season after season? No, but I think it’s still worth trying even if a percentage of the projects fail. What’s to lose – a few fallow raised beds?
