When you need more room to farm, why not use an old farm.
So Kansas City Community Gardens Inc. is expanding its small operation at the Municipal Farm site.
The council finance committee approved a five- year lease today ($120 a year) that adds an acre to the 1.5 acres that the community gardens group uses now.
The matter goes to the full council for final approval on Thursday.
As such gardening operations spread on the 441-acre site they sort of return it to an old role, without the forced labor.
From 1912 to the 1960s, prisoners grew fresh produce and crops there for local consumption.
The community gardens group has leased a site at the farm since 2011 and has been assisting backyard gardeners citywide for over thirty years.
It started as a way to help low-income families save money on grocery bills.
The employee owned Hy-Vee grocery stores are donating $64,000 to the group’s community garden efforts at the farm.
Councilman Scott Wagner said he hoped this would be among many community garden efforts that get help from Hy-Vee.
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