Posted on Feb 2, 2023
St. Louis urban farms to receive $350,000 in ARPA funds
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A Black-owned nonprofit urban farming organization, A Red Circle, will use $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support established and new urban farmers in north St. Louis County.
A Red Circle will provide tractors, rototillers, weed flamers and cold storage vehicles to several established urban farms in parts of north county, including Heru, Phi Global and Rustic Roots Sanctuary.
Farmers will have access to expensive equipment that could make them more efficient at their jobs.
“I have different plots around. On my newer plots I don't have that equipment,” said Tyrean Lewis at Heru urban farm in Florissant. “So it'd give me more confidence that I could maintain a different location.”
As early as spring, A Red Circle will have a scheduler for farmers to arrange times to use the equipment.
A Red Circle will provide tractors, rototillers, weed flamers and cold storage vehicles to several established urban farms in parts of north county, including Heru, Phi Global and Rustic Roots Sanctuary.
Farmers will have access to expensive equipment that could make them more efficient at their jobs.
“I have different plots around. On my newer plots I don't have that equipment,” said Tyrean Lewis at Heru urban farm in Florissant. “So it'd give me more confidence that I could maintain a different location.”
As early as spring, A Red Circle will have a scheduler for farmers to arrange times to use the equipment.
St. Louis urban farms to receive $350,000 in ARPA funds
Posted from news.stlpublicradio.org
Farming
Agriculture
St. Louis
Posted >1 y ago
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Taken from the article:
“We are looking for farmers,” she said. “We will give you a solid foundation on how to become successful, how to make money off of farming and how to support your community and family.”
This is a pipe dream. On a small scale, farmers don't make $$. It's called a tax deduction for a reason. We have 39 acres, have a somewhat large garden, and we raise hogs and cattle. We use to raise rabbits for meat, but we got out of that project. Still have a lot of rabbit meat in our freezers. We also have ducks and chickens for egg production.
Our pigs, have brought in more income than the cost of their feed. But we don't count our time when it comes to doing chores, so even there, were probably have lost money. What we do enjoy, is the home raised pork, beef, and rabbit meat, as well as duck and chicken eggs.
There's no way these urban farms are going to make money, unless they charge an arm/leg for the product.
“We are looking for farmers,” she said. “We will give you a solid foundation on how to become successful, how to make money off of farming and how to support your community and family.”
This is a pipe dream. On a small scale, farmers don't make $$. It's called a tax deduction for a reason. We have 39 acres, have a somewhat large garden, and we raise hogs and cattle. We use to raise rabbits for meat, but we got out of that project. Still have a lot of rabbit meat in our freezers. We also have ducks and chickens for egg production.
Our pigs, have brought in more income than the cost of their feed. But we don't count our time when it comes to doing chores, so even there, were probably have lost money. What we do enjoy, is the home raised pork, beef, and rabbit meat, as well as duck and chicken eggs.
There's no way these urban farms are going to make money, unless they charge an arm/leg for the product.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."North county has nearly 225 fast-food restaurants that service the entire area, and less than 25 full-service grocery stores,” Keys said.
With ARPA funds, A Red Circle hopes to build a more resilient and equitable community through access to fresh produce. “Just because you have low income or stay in a low-income neighborhood does not mean you don’t deserve access to healthy and affordable food,” Keys said."
..."North county has nearly 225 fast-food restaurants that service the entire area, and less than 25 full-service grocery stores,” Keys said.
With ARPA funds, A Red Circle hopes to build a more resilient and equitable community through access to fresh produce. “Just because you have low income or stay in a low-income neighborhood does not mean you don’t deserve access to healthy and affordable food,” Keys said."
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