Urban Garden to be Part of a Multi-Site Network of Urban Gardens

We told you Brent Buffington, Exec. Director of Growing Orlando (Web | Twitter | Facebook), is asking the City of Orlando for a Conditional Use Permit to operate an urban garden at 626 W. South Street (MAP) in the Holden/Parramore neighborhood.

There was one question we had. Selling the crop grown at an urban garden isn't allowed per Public Benefit Use. However, sales is part of Growing Orlando's project. So how is Growing Orlando able to sell its crop? We asked Brent Buffington about it.

"I belive that’s part of the city's interpretation of what currently exists in codes/zoning. The sale of produce is intended as a way to keep some income coming back in for the non-profit to operate, and we are currently drafting out the lower cost ways to access the food including a membership similar to how Community Food & Outreach does theirs."

During the email exchange, Buffington mentioned the creation of a "multi-site network" of urban gardens. He does not have addresses for the other sites yet, though he does have leads and has been having conversations. 

"Our plan for a dynamic food landscape includes the multi-site network. Once we establish this site, we will begin more development plans on some other leads we have."

He hopes this first urban garden will make it easier for others in the future with the creation of a new ordinance. "With this site the city will hopefully be able to eventually pass an ordinance making it easier for all other interested urban farmers a clear path to starting their own."

This first urban garden is on land owned by the city. Buffington wishes to rent it from the city with a 5 year lease. He feels private land owners might mean less time for getting new urban gardens going, as the city has a slow process for approval. 

Education is a large portion of the project. ""Localizing growing and education into neighborhoods is our dream. The education for us is ultimately the main driver, equipping Orlandoans with the ability to grow food for themselves, and to help teach those who want to grow on a larger scale for others." says Buffington. "Localizing growing and education to neighborhoods is our dream."

He is eager to fill a void he sees: "...a big thing Orlando lacks is food producers." 

Does he think the city will fill up with producers and put Publix out of business? No. "While we’re not going (to) fill the supply, we are going to help contribute by way of growing and being a point of access and awareness."