Welcome to the Environmental Studies Capstone Course blog. Over the past decade, community interest in reclaiming control over food production and consumption has fueled a wave of food activism, what Sandor Katz calls"America's Underground Food Movements."

Participants in this course are taking part in the urban agriculture food movement. In addition to reading , discussing, researching and writing on urban agriculture, we are participating. We are planning and planting a garden on campus, forming allegiances with campus and community groups, and contributing to a more sustainable community.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Chucktown Urban Agriculture

Charleston, SC is a very unique area with lots of potential for urban agriculture. This historical city with an urban center yet small town feel is a host to many small organizations, citizens, and nonprofits that have taken steps to promote local, sustainable agriculture and community gardens. It appears that all of this is occurring independently and naturally - a very beautiful thing. It would be great though if there could be further communication between groups to do even more to facilitate a healthy, more environmentally-friendly Charleston. Here's a list of some of the resources I've found so far pertaining to urban agriculture, and healthy local food:

Lowcountry Local First: Wonderful nonprofit to strengthen community support for local businesses and farmers. Check out their Farm Fresh Food campaign for information on local food and CSA's.
http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/

Charleston Area Children's Garden Project: An excellent nonprofit aimed at providing children with a community-based outdoor learning experience. Focus is placed on undereducated, low income neighborhoods.
http://www.childrensgardenproject.org

CofC Urban Agriculture Club: An active student organization at the College of Charleston that promotes "social justice, environmental justice, public health and supporting the local economy through the growing of fresh, organic and local produce." Sign up on their e-mail list for information on garden work days, film screenings, and more: CofCUrbanAgriculture@gmail.com.
Website: http://www.wix.com/UrbanAgriculture/Urban-Ag
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=ts&gid=153495370790

Fields to Families: A local nonprofit that helps bring healthy, nutritious food to the hungry in our area through donations by generous farmers and community gardeners. Click on the link below to find out how you can help.
http://www.fieldstofamilies.org/

Community Gardens:

Lowcountry Community Gardens: A fairly new nonprofit in the area "fostering the growth of healthy communities through the growing of food in small neighborhood plots." They even have a seedbank! Check out their Charleston Urban Gardens Map to view current and potential sites for urban gardens.
Blog: http://hyperlocalfood.blogspot.com/
Website: http://lowcountrycommunitygardens.bbnow.org/index.php

Elliotburg Community Garden: Lovely community garden located at 134 Line St that includes individual plots and a children's play area.
http://acga.localharvest.org/garden/M2356

The Bogarden: A new community garden springing up on the corner of Bogard and Rutledge.
Blog: http://www.thebogarden.blogspot.com/

Note: This is by no means an exhaustive list; just a few I happened to be able to drum up in a short time. There are also many other wonderful things occurring off the Internet grid. :) Please let me know if you have any links I can add.

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