Cedar Rapids Weather
Cedar Rapids Residents Move One Step Closer to Becoming FarmersBy Addison Speck, Reporter
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - After nearly nine months, the proposed Ellis Urban Village in Cedar Rapids took a big step forward Tuesday. Matthew 25, a local non-profit group, came up with the village plan to turn vacant city lots into farmland. That land would be spread out in the area from Ellis Boulevard northwest to Fourth Street northwest, then from F to H avenues NW.
On Tuesday, Cedar Rapids City Council approved a change in ordinance that will allow farming in Urban areas. Even though two more votes will follow, and some details are still unclear, City Council leaders were on board to let the people get growing. Matt Mayer, member of Matthew 25, thinks it's remarkable that Iowa is on the leading edge of Urban agriculture. "The urban agriculture is fairly new to Iowa, in fact I think Cedar Rapids is the only place in the state looking at this issue," Mayer said. Matthew 25 proposed the idea in an effort to revitalize an entire neighborhood of flood damaged property. It would be called "Ellis Urban Village" and volunteers along with the non-profit would grow produce in vacant lots. "What we want to do is create an amenity for the city that will attract people, school children, anybody in the area that wants to learn about farming," Mayer said. Monica Vernon, Cedar Rapids City Council member- District 2, expressed her liking in the idea and moved for an approval on Tuesday. "I know Matthew 25's intent is to teach people, it's all about growing things closer to home," Vernon said. Tuesday's ordinance vote not only helped push Matthew 25's plans forward, but it would also allow anyone to apply for a permit to grow produce for personal use or profit. "What I am most excited about is the ordinance allows anybody to become a farmer," Mayer said. Another vote Tuesday night approved Matthew 25 and the city to start negotiating on a development agreement, making "Ellis Urban Village" a closer reality. "It's kind of like a lock. Once this piece falls into place, the door swings open and we can move forward with plans to the farm up and running," Mayer said. Matthew 25 hopes to have the farm ready to go by next spring. The city will vote twice more on the ordinance before it can take effect. More Good Stuff |
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