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While traditional farming might be getting more and more difficult, growing food in tight urban spaces has become very popular – especially here in the Bay Area.
In West Oakland, an urban farm called City Slicker Farms was recently awarded $4 million by the city to expand its operation.
According to City Slicker Farms, over 2.7 acres across West Oakland is currently used to raise food, and that’s not even including non-affiliated garden plots.
But the increase of urban farming is leading to tension between farmers, neighbors, and city officials. Reporter Lilah Crews-Pless spoke to one farmer who has been trying to deal with some of these conflicts. We’re calling her Vera, but her name has been changed to protect her privacy.
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Broadcast History
KALW 91.7 FM:
January 24, 2011
Transcript
While traditional farming might be getting more and more difficult, growing food in tight urban spaces has become very popular – especially here in the Bay Area.
In West Oakland, an urban farm called City Slicker Farms was recently awarded $4 million by the city to expand its operation.
According to City Slicker Farms, over 2.7 acres across West Oakland is currently used to raise food, and that’s not even including non-affiliated garden plots.
But the increase of urban farming is leading to tension between farmers, neighbors, and city officials. Reporter Lilah Crews-Pless spoke to one farmer who has been trying to deal with some of these conflicts. We’re calling her Vera, but her name has been changed to protect her privacy.
* * *
LILAH CREWS-PLESS: When I first went looking for Vera’s house in West Oakland, I knew which one was hers before I checked the house number. It’s s...
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