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Kansas City Resident Transforms Vacant Lots into Thriving Urban Farm

From vacant lots to a thriving farm, one man's mission to create green jobs and support local agriculture in Kansas City.

In this image we can see an agricultural farm. At the top of the image there are trees.
In this image we can see an agricultural farm. At the top of the image there are trees.

Kansas City Resident Transforms Vacant Lots into Thriving Urban Farm

Jameson Hubbard, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, has transformed 16 vacant lots along Highland Avenue into a thriving farm, Dirt Beast Farm. His initiative, which began nearly a decade ago, aims to create more green jobs and support local agriculture despite the challenges faced by small farmers in the United States.

Hubbard, who lives nearby, walks between his plots daily, hiring locals to help with the work and teaching them about farming. He sells his produce at the Overland Park Farmers' Market and through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, allowing customers to invest in the farm ahead of time and receive a weekly bag of seasonal produce. The farm grows a variety of crops, including peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, and other vegetables, which change with the seasons.

Farming in Kansas City, Missouri, comes with high costs, such as water bills, labor, and property taxes, making it challenging for small farmers like Hubbard. Despite these obstacles, Hubbard remains committed to his vision. He worries about out-of-state developers buying vacant lots and changes to food assistance programs that could affect small farms in the United States. Hubbard's concern is not just about his own farm but the broader impact on the local community and the environment.

Jameson Hubbard's Dirt Beast Farm stands as a testament to his passion for farming and commitment to creating more green jobs in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite the challenges faced by small farmers in the city, Hubbard continues to cultivate his land, providing fresh produce to the local community and fostering interest in agriculture among locals.

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