CityFARM, the latest start-up launched from Beal Inc., has a dual purpose: create more urban gardens and help alleviate hunger in Metro Detroit.
The Ann Arbor-based social entrepreneurial venture specializes in designing, building and maintaining urban gardens. The start-up has a couple of projects in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area and is aiming to have 25 under its belt by the end of the year.
"Organic urban gardening can make a real difference in communities, both in the environment and job development," says Lauren Maloney, farming genius & business manager for
CityFARM.
CityFARM's first project is the Adams Street Farm, a demonstration garden in downtown Ypsilanti. CityFARM will install a new garden bed at the Adams Street Farm for every new client it adds this year. The garden will feature 2,000 square feet of growing space, which could allow for up to 6,000 pounds of food production.
"All of the food produced there will be donated to Food Gatherers," Maloney says.
CityFARM is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Beal Inc and employs three people. Maloney is about to graduate from the University of Michigan this spring with a masters degree in conservation biology. CityFARM is offering urban farming internships for this spring and summer. For information, contact Maloney at lmaloney@WeAreCityFARM.com.
Source: Lauren Maloney, farming genius & business manager for CityFARM
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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