We heard from Kashava Holt, Executive Director of Akron Urban Agriculture during our July 20th meting. Their website can be found out www.akronurbanagriculture.com.
Holt formed Akron Urban Agriculture to promote gardens and urban farms like Akron Urban Farms in Ohio. The organization has a clear and concise plan for helping cities like Akron and Cleveland through gardening and farming. The main goal of Akron Urban Agriculture, is to spread awareness of local quality gardening, farming, food production, mass extinctions and sustainability in the city of Akron. As a part of this goal, they hope to raise the standard of quality of food options in Akron public schools as well as the University of Akron. For that reason their Community Supported Agriculture program will activate and motivate local food web networks and neighboring schools. To achieve these goals, they have already started a community garden at the University of Akron main campus and are raising funds with the goal of implementing a seasonal extension of food cultivation through methods such as a solar greenhouse or high tunnel (hoop house).
Holt said they see the local production of quality healthy food as a means to address current issues ranging from air pollution, food shortages, homelessness, non nutritious foods, waste management and unemployment.
He shared that having an urban farm like AUA will increase pollinators and unity in Akron. They are also constructing green building structures monthly with local urban farmers and gardeners in Ohio.
Currently he is working on a congressional project called the Akron/Cleveland High Tunnel Seasonal initiative that started in 2012. Representative Marcia Fudge (District) 11 has consistently supported the vision of this initiative in district 11. Her offices in Ohio and Washington, DC have been essential for the success of this project. He has also been working with the USDA for the past four years on agriculture, construction, conservation, education, safety, and sustainability in Akron.
He said "the main things in my specialty to offer Akron Urban Farms are agriculture, conservation, construction, education, design, farming, marketing, photography, project management and safety." Awareness and advocacy is part of our primary pillars for building a better community that focuses more on farming, gardening, supply chains and sustainable practices in rural or urban environments.
