Urban Agriculture Forum

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The Urban Agriculture Movement is coming to Jacksonville! Come learn about what urban ag is, possible changes to the zoning code, and get your questions answered. There will be a presentation and a panel to answer questions after.

When? September 22, 2011
Where? JEA Conference Center, 970 N. Main Street
Time? 7:30pm-9:30pm

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Just a reminder the Urban Ag Forum is tomorrow night (Thursday) at the JEA Conservation Center 970 N. Main St at 6 pm

There will be a brief presentation on what urban agriculture is and the movement across the US followed by a Q & A for the panelists on urban ag efforts in Jacksonville and how we can get the city to be more supportive.  The panelists include:

Richard from Slow Foods on the importance of urban ag and local food sources
Brandon, local urban underground farmer on space efficient innovative urban ag
Laureen, Director of Healthy Jacksonville on health issues and urban ag
Katie from the Arlington Community Garden and their efforts
Eli and Val - recenlty in the Folio for their fight with the city to grow their own food, the will be discussing residential food forests and intense urban permaculture
Catherine on education, construction, and urban ag (green roof project at breaking ground)
Lauren on keeping small scale hens
Allan on local restaurants and the local food movement
Amanda on small scale goat and hen keeping and the springfield community garden

Kevin Songer and Amanda Searle will moderate

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I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to show support and learn about Urban Ag and how to make Jax more Urban Ag friendly.  We had more than twice the number of people we anticipated - it was standing room only!  Also a huge thanks to Council Woman Lori Boyer for coming to learn too!  I will be emailing all of the attendees today to ask for volunteers for subcommittees on drafting model ordinances to take to city council on the various urban ag issues.  If you would like to volunteer and were not able to come last night, just email me your contact info and I will be sure you get included avsearle@gmail.com

Thanks again to the panel and all the participants and attendees that are taking the time to help improve our city's access to fresh healthy food and maintain our individual right to grow our own food.  Jacksonville frustrates the heeck out of me a lot but nights like last night make me love my adopted city