Detroit Farmers
In the Capital of the Car, Nature Stakes a ClaimAfter decades of blight, large swathes of Detroit are being reclaimed by nature. Roughly a third of this 139-square-mile city consists of weed-choked lots and dilapidated buildings. Satellite images show an urban core giving way to an urban prairie.
Rather than fight this return to nature, Mr. Weertz and other urban farmers have embraced it, gradually converting 15 acres of idle land into more than 40 community gardens and microfarms -- some consuming entire blocks.
Yes, yes, we've heard it before: when the farmers move in, you know the neighborhood's done for...
* Ray, 12/04/2003 02:16:58 PM