An organic farm is coming to East Lansing. The farm would be located at
The Beaumont, a property being
developed by the
Gillespie Group between
Coolidge and Chandler Roads.
The farm "will start out small, with vegetables and
flowers," says Darcy Schmitt, East Lansing's
planning and zoning administrator. She describes it as a "franchise farming
operation," and says the goal of the for-profit farm would be to sell its
crop to local restaurants. Whatever produce is not sold will be donated to local
food banks.
The farm would utilize about five acres of land near The
Beaumont and "will be a great asset to the tenants," says Schmitt. The
Beaumont features a mix of houses, condos and apartments.
Because the land was not originally zoned for agricultural use, Schmitt
says the farm had to get the "go ahead from the [East Lansing] City
Council," adding that the farm "will have the same restrictions as any agriculture
practice in Michigan."
Schmitt says the farm wants to get going "as soon as possible" after the
rezoning issue is resolved and "seeds have been purchased." School
groups will be invited to the farm once it is up and running, for a hands-on learning experience.
Source: Darcy Schmitt
Writer:
Daniel J. Hogan
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