When I think of community supported agriculture, I get visions of farmer’s markets and little family farms out in the country. What I don’t usually think of is garden plots in abandoned lots or tucked behind apartment buildings, and deliveries made my bicycle. However, that’s the vision of Sean Conroe, the founder of Alleycat Acres, a start-up urban CSA.
Conroe says his inspiration is his childhood experiences in the gardens and farms of the New York countryside: “I want to provide that garden experience to the city, mainly to youth…I want to provide access to fresh, healthy food to people who are traditionally under-served.” Alleycat’s initial area of operation will be Capitol Hill and the Central District, though Conroe says he’s interested in expanding to other agriculturally-deprived neighborhoods once he’s built up business.
Conroe says he’s still working to define what an urban CSA will look like: “It’s a learning experience as I go through this figuring out which particular models will work out or not.” If you’re interested in sharing the agricultural learning experience or scouting for garden spots, get ahold of the Alleycat Acres team at info(at)alleycatacres.com.
Jen loves gardening almost as much as she loves Capitol Hill. You can see her write about both at Life on the Hill and Other Stories.
They have a site – four people as a core group, now, how about a garden somewhere?
I was about to volunteer, then wondered if there really is a project or just planning on a project. Can anyone enlighten? Thinking about the wonder of flowers abounding and tons of fresh veggies is a common summer pastime. Working the soil and all the rest is more like work … and most urban people are not very good at it … look at their house plants.
The Council need to support this … with a real garden … zuchinni, green peas, cukes, and corn will be fine the first year … lots of flowers mixed in.
Seattle and daliahs are made for each other, and easy.
The idea just hatched a mere 3 weeks ago. Since then, I’ve spent time meeting with individuals who are passionate about this and who wanted to be a part of it. Yes, so far, 4 people who are directly involved; many more who are involved in other ways.
It’s both; a project can’t happen without planning. We’re in the planning mode — if it were as easy to turn around and snap our fingers and have some gardens by now, trust me, we would. But it isn’t that simple. We’re shooting for March, in time for Spring; then the project begins.
Cheers,
-Sean
Thanks for the update – how do us garden types contact yu? I am not much for planning, just digging, planting and doing it all right to produce premium plants … in this area gardening is high art and much world class talent.
Using barren space to better avail for produce and flowers is a great idea – not new – but tons of hard work – and cost – water rates. My yard takes $1,200. a summer to water correctly – espec. with veggies.
Best.
from their website it looks like there are two ways to get in contact with them; outside of simply replying to one of their posts.
email: info@AlleyCatAcres.com and via twitter: @Alleycat_Acres
zeebleoop nailed it.
if you want to email me directly, you can:
sean(at)alleycatacres(dot)com.
Cheers!
-S
This sounds GREAT. Maybe some type of urban/rural partnership with an established CSA would be beneficial.
My house is a drop site for one of the best, so CSA is alive and well on Cap Hill — at least via direct delivery — so anyone can become a member and walk/bike/drive over and get fresh organic produce/fruit/flowers/etc. weekly (June-Nov) or monthly (Jan-May) from Boistfort Valley Farm in Curtis, WA.
There are actually 2 Capitol Hill drop sites for their CSA program, North and South.
Our farmers, Heidi and Mike, are the best. Here’s to the health of all CSA programs!
Alan
Thanks for the support, Alan!