Once again, urban farming talks reminds me of a Marisa Miller photo set that has forever altered my perception . . .
Here's the latest missive from rather dedicated urban farming advocates that include the good folks at The Liberty Restoration Project:
"We went to the meeting tonight and I have to say, I am at a loss for words. I have been to public meetings, council meetings, committee meetings, etc, but wow WoW WOW!!! Some people just LOVE control over others. My friend Catherine has part of the meeting on tape. Cathy Jolly HATES us now more than ever. These elder's do not want us youngin's being able to control our food if it means interfering with their pristine yards. They are truly scared that if word gets out about this ordinance or that people understand they can already grow things in their backyards, it will lead to people up and down every street of KC putting up HUGE hideous colored umbrellas and large yard signs trying to outsell each other. I must say, I thought KC was a bit more open minded, however, tonight, I was proven wrong. We were laughed at and ridiculed tonight. Just wanted to let you guys know my super quick summary of the meeting tonight. I will probably write more and I process what the hell just happened. I'm so very sorry that we have such close minded folks in KC and a control freak as a council woman."
Furthermore . . . Check out the Kansas City CENTER PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL April 27, 2010 video where Urban Farming is the subject of the evening. There are quite a few paranoid reactions.
Council Lady Cathy Jolly reportedly gets "pissy" when she finds out she's on tape.
Even better . . .
LIBERTY RESTORATION PROJECT PEEPS WITH A VIDEO CAMERA TOLD THAT THEY'LL BE "ESCORTED OUT" IF THEY DON'T STOP SHOOTING VIDEO OF CATHY JOLLY!!!
Another money quote from the LRP: "I'm telling you, they don't like dissent. Some of the ladies who were there in favor of the CSA's told us to make sure that we wore our seatbelts out of the meeting as they're known for trying to entrap those who disagree outside of the meetings. HOW CRAZY IS THIS CRAP IN KANSAS CITY?!?!?!?!"
This is really disappointing to me because Cathy Jolly is my favorite Council Cheerleader and I don't like to think that she would shy away from the camera since she's easily the best looking local government official.
In any event, it's clear that the subject of urban farming has inspired a great deal of reactionary response from folks strangely dedicated to the corporate food chain.
Urban farming must be done by a non profit agency with a suitable salary for the executive director - not by actual individuals trying to make a profit.
ReplyDeleteIdiots. You can already grow whatever you please. This is about out-of-staters and others setting up shop to sell wherever they please. there is a reason we have zoning.
ReplyDeleteThis is an open ended ordinance and proponents have objected to closing loop holes.
Here is another one for you...you can erect a 20-ft. tall structure to support your urban farm. Again, no permitting or oversight.
No lighting restrictions. No signage restrictions. C'mon. You don't have to look very far to see the problems with it.
8:45 - Can you please direct us where your claim can be found? I welcome the idea but it is the first I have heard of it and I have read at least two verions of the ordinance albeit maybe not the current.
Again...this ordinance does not permit anyone to grow anything more than they can already do today. There is a reason we have farmer's markets.
Oh yeah, there is no additional funding allocated for inspectors to monitor the urban farms. It's a free for all.
Illegally, people are already selling produce in front of their houses. I don't believe that people are going to start springing up and selling their gardens from their front doors. Most people have jobs, work 8-10 hour days, and don't have time to garden. I think it's a very far stretch to say that things will get "out of control" here in KC if this ordinance passes.
ReplyDeleteIf your neighbor is doing something you don't like, do you have a conversation with them or immediately call the city on them? Maybe if people were more positive and started connecting with their community again, things might change... for the better. Seems people are driven by FEAR these days. It's quite sad.
Can someone please tell me why we need the ordinance?
ReplyDeleteI have been an organic gardener for 32 years. I have a healthy crop every year and give away produce that I do not can or freeze. I can not see a bunch of people tilling up their backyards for profit! This is hard work! Really hard when you grow a lot with out chemicals. Perhaps the local neighborhoods can sponsor weekend produce markets? As for "large structures" what the hell would you do with 'em? You need a tiller, rakes, shovels, fencing for vines, hoes, stakes wheel barrows and a lot of brawn, these all fit, except the brawn, in a garage or tool shed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad state of affairs if you think Cathy Jolly is " easily the best looking local government official." She scares the bejesus out of me.
ReplyDeleteJolly is an imbecile. She is so dumb it's embarrassing for her and for the city. She does what ever Glorioso and Sanders tell her to do. She might have fluffy hair, but the box that holds it is empty.
ReplyDeleteWell there's two schools of thought about zoning. Some want zoning to make their areas organized, kinda Pleasantville like, so to keep blight from happening.
ReplyDeleteI actually support that. Well, when bribes arent involved. I don't like truck drivers parking their semi-s in their driveways next to my house, or junk cars, or old tires. Or even purple houses in nice neighborhoods.
I dont' care what people grow in their back yards and hope to sell. In fact, I like the idea... it's a great alternative to processed, unhealthy foods. And if it's behind a fence in a neighborhood that doesn't harm the neighbors, fine.
HOWEVER. If we're going to zone residential, then we have to have places where people can sell their home grown goods. I remind you, in the Soviet Union of the fifties, most of the country was actually fed from foods grown ON PRIVATE PLOTS, not by the corporate state's communal farms. So lets not pass laws that compete with Con-Agra... lets just make sure that small enterprise can selll their goods in a Farmers Market environment... an area of public land where they can have their garden 'garage sale' stands.
It promotes small business. So my view is that any restrictions on zoning needs to also have legislation providing a place where they CAN sell their products.
I'd love farm fresh eggs, barnyard chicken meat and fresh vegetables. Where to go to buy them? Government should not be in the business of just banning things, but should also facilitate small business. It's in all of our best interests!
Darn hippies.
ReplyDeleteWTF 10:25? So a bunch of "out of towners" are going to move to Kansas City to set up highly profitable urban organic farms? Right. You must be growing some special herb in your back yard and smoking it. Besides south kansas city is a sh*thole anyway. Urban farms smelling of sh*t would be a huge step up.
ReplyDeleteCathy Jolly = 3 lovely holes in which to deposit my semen!
ReplyDeleteOMG, you should have seen Sharp and Jolly at the neighborhood meeting last Wednesday (4/21). They openly disagreed about this issue and not just a little. It was quite the sight seeing our City Council members disagree so obviously and openly!
ReplyDeleteThey also disagreed on felons selling booze...
I can't wait to eat some tomatoes grown in the healthy soil found at 34th and brooklyn.
ReplyDelete