It's all good in the hood – if you're in Detroit's newest agrihood, that is.
The Michigan Urban Farming Institute this month debuted the country's first urban agrihood in the Detroit's Northend neighborhood. The agrihood is home to a two-acre garden and a 200-tree fruit orchard, from which produce is donated to the surrounding neighborhood, churches, and food pantries.
MUFI also announced it will renovate a 3,200-square-foot vacant building that will become an energy-efficient, sustainable Community Resource Center, two commercial kitchens, the first LEED-certified platinum building in Detroit, and a two-bedroom shipping container home.
Agrihoods – also known as Development Supported Agriculture (DSA) – offer residents and neighbors walkable spaces, access to local food, and agricultural and nutritional education opportunities. This alternative neighborhood model has been on the rise for a few years now, and there are over 200 nationwide.
Agrihoods outside of Detroit exist mostly in rural and suburban areas – like Agritopia in greater Phoenix, Serenbe in Georgia, Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, Illinois.
MUFI expects to complete the Detroit agrihood renovations in May 2017.
Read More:
- America's first sustainable urban agrihood is growing in Detroit (Curbed)
- Farm-to-Table Living Takes Root (New York Times)
- Suburban Agrihoods Growing Community (Civil Eats)
