Kettering Urban Agricultural Project

presented by Betti Wiggins, Executive Director The Office of School Nutrition

March 13, 2014

Mission Statement

“It takes more than books for children to learn.”

Historical Overview

• In 2009, the Office of School Nutrition (OSN) established the Detroit School Garden Collaborative (DSGC), a Farm 2 School initiative in conjunction with the Office of Science, to increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

• The primary mission was to build and maintain gardens at DPS schools and other service sites. Currently, there are 51 school gardens with a goal of 75 by Spring 2014.

• Drew Farms, a 2 ½ acre in-ground farm and 96 square foot hoop house, anchored by cognitively impaired students (supervised by farm managers), was established to provide extended product growth. Its success led to the desire for garden expansion.

• Using Drew Farms as a prototype, OSN conducted an analysis on the former Kettering High School located in a regional area known as an urban agricultural district.

• The Kettering site was selected, conceptually, to be a multi-faceted source to provide healthy foods to students and the community.

Benefits of School Based Gardens

There are substantial benefits to school based gardens:• Fresh produce grown on-site• Incorporate the harvest into the school meal program• Increase the nutritional density of child nutrition programs• Children gain a greater understanding of the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables• Children become ambassadors of healthy foods and can share this information with

families• Provide an on-site learning area related to nutrition, growing food, and other enriching

experiences

Kettering Urban Agricultural Project At-A-Glance

Vision Statement:

Creating a sustainable community development program that provides access to healthy foods, employment opportunities and quality of life enhancements for students, families and community stakeholders in Detroit.

Proposed Project Plan:

Phase 1: Secure and establish the site for eight high tunnel hoop houses.Target completion date: April 2014

Phase 2: Greenhouse installation, approximately four acres of land redevelopment for in-ground planting.Target completion date: May 2014

Phase 3: Repurpose 90,000 sq. ft. of building space for food processing, indoor growing and commercial, office and educational spaces.Target completion date: TBD

Phase 4: Redevelop approximately three acres of land for an outdoor community based educational environment. Target completion date: TBD

Kettering Urban Agricultural Project At-A-Glance cont’d.

Secure Kettering site

for salad green hoop houses

Develop in-ground planting

areas

Building renovation for

food processing,

indoor growing, commercial and

office space

Develop community-

based educational

environment

Kettering Urban Agricultural Project Aerial View

Kettering UAC Front Kettering UAC Rear

Community Green Space Fruit Tree Orchard

Kettering Urban Agricultural Project 3D Model Views

Kettering UAC Horticulture Demo Room Kettering UAC Exterior Greenhouse Addition

Kettering UAC Horticulture Demo Room Kettering UAC Interior Greenhouse Addition

Kettering Urban Agricultural Project 3D Model Views