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The city of Louisville, KY is adding a new Urban Agriculture Program that will address food scarcity and the current lack of plantable green space. The new program will be housed under the Parks and Recreation department, and will work with the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Jefferson County Extension Office, and other external partners to expand urban food production.
The program is being created by new Parks and Recreation Executive Director Michelle King. Its first task will be to identify potential garden sites within existing parks throughout the city, along with supporting the infrastructure necessary for growing food to partners who are already working in community gardens.
“There is an abundance of public spaces throughout our parks system that we will be activating to help lead this effort,” said Michelle King, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. “Urban Agriculture is more than just cultivating crops; it’s also about providing education and opportunities to enhance partnerships within the community to ensure everyone has access to nutritious and fresh food where they live. While our dedication to urban agriculture within Louisville Parks and Recreation is in its early stages, we are eager to develop this initiative with input from our employees, community members, and those actively engaged in the field. Urban agriculture has found a home in Louisville Parks & Recreation, where we will focus on the support of community gardens and edible landscapes. We invite the community to join us in this exciting new chapter as we cultivate a greener, more sustainable Louisville.”
“I am incredibly grateful for Michelle and her team for creating Metro’s first Urban Agriculture program,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “This important work will help to provide fresh produce in food deserts and support our sustainability efforts, including our efforts to promote health equity.”