Community Garden Farmers Battle Developer

The South Central Farmers are a perfect example of what grassroots community action coupled with a dynamic perspective on the urban environment can achieve. After 13 years of work, 14 miles of blighted urban land have been turned into a thriving subsistance farm, the largest community garden in the world. Now, however, the city government has sold the title to a private developer who hopes to evict the garden and construct housing.

This particular instance raises innovative possibilities for non-traditional sustainable land use and community action in a wholly non-sustainab;e urban setting. What's more, operating within the context of a municipal conflict involving community interests, private developers and the city and state governments, it provides vital insight into the workings of the municipal power structure, as well as the potentials for grassroots resistance.

Thanks to Dave Hancock