Toledo’s urban farmer looking for agricultural designation
The goal is to get to 10 beds with the potential of producing 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of fresh produce in each bed.
By Shaun Hegarty
13 ABC
Apr. 27, 2022
Excerpt:
There’s a new potential boost to urban farming in Toledo.
One man has made it his mission and now he’s looking to have his farming operation officially classified as just that. It’s work that’s come with a learning curve.
Every garden starts somewhere. For Thomas Jackson his gardens and all of his urban farming plans started with learning.
“No one knew what I was doing. It was something new to me, I was starting. I didn’t think I’d be doing this, but I’m happy, I am,” said Jackson.
Jackson started his organic urban farming about 5 years ago. It hit some bumps, which included fines from the city of Toledo. Neighbors were caught off guard, as well.
“It takes time. I could never get mad at my neighbors for not wanting wood chips next door to them, but once they see what the wood chips became, they’re happy now,” said Jackson.
His work has now turned into 3 completed beds with numbers 4, 5, and 6 in the works. The goal is to get to 10 beds with the potential of producing 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of fresh produce in each bed.
It’s not just lots and gardens; in fact, Jackson has put together a green house.
