Politics & Government

Urban Farming Coming to a North Canton Neighborhood Near You

A new initiative would provide fresh fruits and veggies, gardening education and, perhaps, a farmers market to North Canton.

If all goes as planned, North Canton will have an urban farm by next spring.

Jim Sewell, a local resident and CEO of the Northside Locavore Project, introduced the organic initiative in front of the North Canton Planning Commission in March, which voted 5-0 in favor of the plan. 

Now, it's just up to City Council to approve the necessary zoning change to allow for the community grow operation.

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“What we want to do is bring green space in, local food, educational opportunities to the community, and, hopefully, grow it into some kind of an organization that will bring a market to town,” said Sewell at Monday night’s Council meeting.

If approved, the zoning change would go into effect in October.

Find out what's happening in North Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The urban farm would come in the form of raised garden beds that would be placed across one acre of asphalt in a Hoover District parking lot, said Sewell.  

The plan is to set up the beds by fall and start growing crops, like radishes, fruits and kale, by next spring.

Sewell pledged his non-profit group would only use natural methods to grow the food.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for North Canton to be educated to raise gardens and urban farming, so I appreciate the efforts and (I’m) looking forward to it happening,” said Ward 1 councilman Doug Foltz.


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