Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Bringing Farms to the Heartland — of Suburbia

Today on the Streetsblog Network, St. Louis Urban Workshop looks at the concept of "agriburbia" -- a way to bring some meaningful food production to suburban sprawl:

suburban_farming_1.jpgIn St. Louis, some farming goes on right next to the airport.

[It's] basically the integration of agri-business and suburban development. The idea is introduced in three ways: introducing food gardens into
yards of less than one acre, utilizing land awaiting the next economic
boom and developing "farm-cultured" communities...

But St. Louis offers many opportunities to
bring agriculture close to our homes. Flying into and out of St. Louis
on a regular basis I often have an excellent view of suburban
agriculture. A wedge of land on the east side of I-170 at the eastern
end of Lambert's main runway is being used as an active farm.

Whether
it be corners of underutilized land near our airport, wedges of land
next to an Interstate or vacant lots awaiting development, there is a
great opportunity to create sustainable and locally produced food. 

More from around the network: World Streets rounds up the always rich seasonal report from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, which this time includes a crucial study of consumer housing preferences and the implications for future development.

And we have two tales of suburban churches. One, according to Greater Greater Washington, is looking to possibly raise funds by repurposing its huge suburban lot, perhaps as a walkable neighborhood. Another, we learn from Indianapolis's Circles and Squares, is considering surrendering its historic building to the wrecking ball and selling its prime location to a CVS.

Very different visions of the suburban future are emerging. Which will prevail?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Wednesday’s Headlines: To Repeat, This is Not an ‘Accident’ Edition

The mayor can't stop calling preventable crashes "accidents." Plus other news.

April 2, 2025

Simcha Felder, Longtime Orthodox Brooklyn Pol and Street Safety Foe, is M.I.A. After Speeding Driver Kills Three

Council Member Simcha Felder, who has represented Orthodox South Brooklyn for more than 20 years, has been silent since a speeding driver killed a mother and her two children on Ocean Parkway.

April 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Another Rally For Action Edition

Maybe this time, the slaughter of the innocent will lead to change. Plus other news.

April 1, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Citi Bike to Add E-Tandems to Fleet on April 1

The Lyft-owned rentable bike company confirmed the news after a Streetsblog reporter happened upon two Citi Bike employees testing out the new wheels in a remote corner of Forest Park in Queens

April 1, 2025

State Lawmaker Wants To Override City’s ‘Stupid’ Winter Curbside Dining Ban

New legislation would force the city to allow curbside outdoor dining year-round after the city's arbitrary winter ban decimated the popular program.

April 1, 2025
See all posts