Plant Grain Crops In Youngstown

[Towntalk]

I don't believe city equipment can be used on such projects. There is a law about such uses, and if you will recall a number of city employees lost their jobs because they used city equipment on private projects. These community gardens are not part of city government, but are nonprofit organizations.

This is unfortunate, but there would be folks who would raise a stink if city equipment was used.

As to the mowing on vacant lots, that is quite another matter that does fall within city perview, and the city is reembursed.

If on the other hand, the city would help with funding the gardens, that would be a different matter, but City Council would have to approve it, and set aside money to pay city workers for the work. Private citizens can not be authorized to use city equipment by state law.

What about seeking donations from businesses to help fund the project, or some other fund raising drive. There is still time enough left to put one together.

[jay]

The city already owns several tractors that are used to cut high weeds on vacant lots.  For the cost of a few plow attachments, these same tractors could easily be used to help with a city farming project.

[jay]

Geraniums are also being raised for the local market.

[jay]

As gasoline prices continue to rise,  the transportation component in the price of food will increase.  It makes sense to develop food production within our city.  Transportation would be minimal.  Local jobs would be created for our citizens.  Food would be as fresh as possible.

In the photo below, a local greenhouse is already in the process of raising flowers for the Youngstown market.  Vegetable plants will also be raised in the same greenhouse.

[jay]

The Grow Youngstown movement is hoping to start neighborhood gardens throughout the city of Youngstown.  The first test garden will be on the north side.  The group may be contacted through its website.

www.growyoungstown.org

[irishbobcat]

Almost every home had a victory garden during World War II. My mother used to tell me about her garden in her back yard in Lansingville. Maybe it's time for community organizations to begin to bring back this concept throughout the city and then sell these items at farmer markets and flea markets.

Dennis Spisak-Independent Green party Candidate for state Representative-60th District

[Towntalk]

I don't know if there is enough empty land for Wheat, Oats and Rye which requires large acherage to grow enough to take to market, or even if the soil is suitable for these grains, but certainly corn is another matter, as any home gardener will tell you.

Again, we have to take into consideration what it takes to process wheat, oats and rye even before it goes to the mill. While Lanterman Mill could grind the grains, it's not large enough to handle large quantities that would be needed to market at a profit. Again, since these grains are seasonal, it wouldn't be logical to build another mill that could deal with large quantities that would only be in operation a couple of months a year. These grains are not durable, and must be used before they get wormy.

Unlike other foods, these grains can not be economically grown in greenhouses.

As it is, the area commercial farms plant Oats and Rye to improve soil, and plow them under.

Considering all the uses that corn is put to including corn flour for baking, this is an idea worth serious consideration.

[jay]

In the last two days, I've heard two examples of how the increase in the cost of flour has increased the price of foods such as pizza and bread.   The same thing is happening with items made from corn.

The city of Youngstown has acres and acres of recently vacated land.   The city should develop an urban farming program to raise grain crops to feed our citizens and to help to keep the price of food grains as low as possible for our area.