case studies edible eStateS A project called Edible Estates, created by Fritz Haeg, provides an example of the possibilities for food cultivation in the Suburban District. The Foti family of Lakewood, California, has reconsidered how they use the space around their house, and transformed their front lawn into a garden. Not only are they able to feed themselves, they have been able to cultivate enough food that they often can give some away. Everyone who comes in contact with their suburban front yard garden is forced to reconsider how they occupy their own property. Transforming one’s lawn into a site for food cultivation makes food available to residents in the Suburban District. The Foti family has invested in a better quality of life through growing healthy food and growing their community simultaneously.
A similar example is happening in Northampton. Ann Renee Larouche, a Northampton resident, has been growing a highly productive vegetable garden, fruit trees, and berry bushes in her front yard.
“Pure beauty for the sake of beauty is a luxury I’m not certain we can afford any more. What is to say that edibles aren’t beautiful?” —Ann Renee Larouche Ann’s landscape is not only providing food, but is a work of art and has drawn attention from her neighbors who have asked her to grow food on their properties, too. Singlehandedly, she has created over a dozen edible gardens in the neighborhood, making local, healthy food available to the residents via their own front lawns.
The Foti Family has transformed their lawn into a site for food cultivation. Photos courtesy of Fritz Haeg and the Edible Estates project.
laNdShare The basic concept of Landshare, a successful project started in the United Kingdom, is to connect landowners with growers through an online database. If a property owner has an open lawn that they are willing to have cultivated but do not have the time, knowledge, physical ability, or resources, they offer their land through the Landshare network.
1 You
a grower, landowner, or helper
2 Post a listing
tell others where you are, and what you are looking for, or offering
Conversely, people who wish to garden and lack lawns themselves, as in the case of those who live in apartment complexes or rent where gardening is not permitted, or who want to increase the amount of land they cultivate can access the land offered through Landshare. Often, part of the food cultivated on these sites is given to the landowner in exchange for offering up property to the gardener. The project already involves over 46,000 people and is growing.
3 Get responses
use a mail system to send and receive messages
4 Connect
Figure 11. Adapted from landshare.net Feed NorthamptoN disTricTs
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