ATTRA Question of the Week

D.O.
Alaska

Answer: I am pleased to provide you with information regarding community farm and greenhouse models.

If it is not too late, I would suggest the following approach in getting started with your project.

1. Develop a list of your resources. It sounds like land and soil might be a limiting factor, but other resources to consider are buildings, vacant lots, and other infrastructure within your community that can be used by the community to grow food—be it inside or outside.

2. If soil is a limiting factor, I would suggest starting a community composting project. This would help to develop a source of organic matter that the whole community could participate in, while reducing the waste stream in your community. The organization Community Compost has a lot of information on this topic and would be a good start. Note: they are a British organization, but many of the issues/ considerations still apply.

3. Consider not only plant crops but animals as well. Vegetables are a very small proportion of most diets. Having chickens, other foul, and maybe some other forms of protein should be considered when growing more local foods. Of course there is fish readily available too!

4. Once you do have an idea of what your resources are and what your vision is for localizing foods, develop a plan as well as a list of materials and supplies that you will need to make it a reality. Tying in educational activities will help in securing funding, if that is necessary for your project.

Models are a good place to find ideas and adapt according to your unique community situation. I have listed below a few model community farms/ greenhouses that might interest you.

There is a new movement in urban areas called SPIN farming—or Small Plot Intensive farming. This type of market gardening grows on small plots of land either private or community-based, focusing on succession planting and intensive cropping systems. Thy have several guides, and they are not free of charge unfortunately, but they are nominally priced. Below is a link to the official SPIN web site:
http://www.spinfarming.com/whatsSpin/

You may have heard of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse that was converted from an old hockey arena. The greenhouse, which receives funding from the territorial and federal governments, aboriginal groups and businesses, is also a community-development project that plays host to school groups, workshops and even tourists. Their website describes this operation in more detail:
http://www.inuvikgreenhouse.com/main.html

Also developing community gardens are a great way to beautify the town and localize food production. The American Community Gardening Association has a wealth of information and models for you to work from. Their web site is:
http://www.communitygarden.org/

N.G.
Georgia

Answer: I am pleased to provide you with information on organic sunflower production.

Sunflowers are a summer annual crop that can be managed similar to other summer grain crops. Organic sunflowers are grown for cut flower production and for seed. The seed is used in bird feed, for sunflower oil, and the meal for livestock feed. The links listed below lead to production information for sunflower though not necessarily organic sunflower production. There is little information available on organic sunflower production, so adjustments to the management systems recommended must be made to fit in a certified organic operation. Please visit the ATTRA website for information on organic certification and regulations.

Resources:

North Carolina State University. 2005. Organic Field Crop Production and Marketing in North Carolina. “Alternative Grain Crops: Sunflower Seed.”

Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. No Date. Sunflower Production & Management.

University of Wisconsin-Extension and the University of Minnesota. 1990. Alternative Field Crops Manual: Sunflowers.

National Sunflower Association

Kansas State University. 2005. High Plains Sunflower Production Handbook.

Schmidt, Walter H. 1995. Single Crop Sunflower Production. Ohio State University Extension. AGF-107-95. 3 p.

Warrick, Billy E. No date. Sunflower Production Guide. Texas Cooperative Extension. 16 p.