Cleveland Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

Cleveland Urban Agriculture A Timeline

2005
Urban Ag and
Green Space
Zoning
Ordinance

2007
Allows
Farming
Through
Zoning

2009
Allows
Chickens,
Ducks, Rabbits
and Beehives

2010
Permits Ag as
a Principal Use
on Vacant City
Lots

Food Deserts - A Life or Death Matter

Life expectancy in Cleveland*:

Low income area = 64 yrs.

Affluent suburb = 88.5 yrs.

Access to safe, healthy food

matters!!

25% of Cleveland residents

live in food deserts; lowincome neighborhoods far
away (a mile or more) from
grocery stores.

Cleveland High Tunnel Initiative - Origin

Grew from discussions between

NRCS and community leaders.

In 2012, Ohio allocated EQIP

funds to pilot the CHT (photo of 2012
pilot ceremony)

Hired a full-time urban

conservationist

Amended an agreement with

the Federation of Southern
Cooperatives to assist with
outreach

EQIP on Urban Land?

Zoning does not affect EQIP

rules.

Zoning may restrict practice

installation.

Violate laws = No practice

payment

Applicant Requirements
Farm number (FSA);
Interest in the agricultural
operation;

Control of the land (lease);

EQIP plan of operations;

Address a resource concern.

Project Components
Eligibility determination

Planning/Contracting (soil
testing recommended)

Permitting

High Tunnel installation

Education & Training

1. NRCS programs
2. High Tunnel construction and
maintenance
3. Food production, food
preservation, and marketing
(optional)

CHT Partners

FSA farm record and eligibility

Cuyahoga SWCD - promotion

OSU Extension - education

Federation Of Southern
Cooperatives - outreach, assists
with obtaining leases

City of Cleveland - leases,

building permits, discount water

Fair Food Network helped

install high tunnels

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge

promotion and support

Accomplishments

High Tunnel Build Training NRCS Staff, Partners,

and CHT Participants

Since 2012, over 100 seasonal

high tunnels have been
constructed or are in the
planning stages.

Supporting high tunnel activities

include micro-irrigation
practices, roof runoff, heavy
use/splash pad, cover crops, and
critical area plantings

Total obligation for Cleveland

High Tunnels and supporting
practices = $778,600

Issues to Consider

Partnership Support/Involvement

Close Cooperation w/Participants

Municipal Support Zoning, Permits

Neighborhood Support/Involvement

Continuous Communication

Access to Water On-site, Trucked?

t,
8,000 vacan
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urre
Cleveland c
roperties lik
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distressed,
these.

Marketing Allowed On-site?

Environmental justice
Soil contamination (lead, arsenic)
Debris - Removal
Abandoned Buildings Demolish?

Expansion

Secretary Vilsack visiting Cleveland urban

gardens with Ohio Congresswoman Kaptur
August, 2015

Urban ag movement is strong and growing

Cities want NRCS assistance with urban ag

In discussions with Columbus and

Cincinnati

High return on little investment small

fraction of State EQIP allocation

Strong USDA support in line with several

Departmental and White House initiatives

Peoples Garden

Know Your Farmer Know Your Food

First Ladys Lets Move

Beginning Farmers

Questions?

Chief Weller and Terry Cosby talking with Ohios first high tunnel contract
holder, Avon Standard (r) and fellow gardeners at his Cleveland garden
July, 2014