03/05/2015
In a nod to Throwback Thursday, we share a very brief history of urban cultivation. Urban agriculture has existed in virtually every culture, in some form or another, throughout history. The United States has its own rich history with urban cultivation:
• In 1893, Detroit was hit hard by an economic depression. The mayor of Detroit asked the citizens to use vacant lots to grow vegetables.
• During the Great Depression, urban cultivation was used to feed the hungry, create social interaction, and boost economic growth. This led to the government creating a National Victory Garden Program, which established urban agriculture programs in cities throughout the nation. This program contributed 44% of the total produce grown the U.S. at that time!
What can we learn from the past? First and foremost, urban cultivation was motivated by necessity. Urban cultivation helped overcome economic hardship, increase food production, and facilitate social cohesion.
In today’s fast-paced world, urban cultivation is re-appearing in a modern-day, 21st Century version at Grow Space Storage.
What an honor it is to be a part of this amazing new type of urban agriculture while also acknowledging our "roots" -- :)
