Celebrate the culture of agriculture & share skills (Growing! Cooking! Eating!)

Serving time for an urban garden?

Ok, so the title is a little dramatic but the story is still shocking!

My latest inspiration is the Dervaes family. And if you dont know who they are you really should read about them. They have converted their urban CA yard into a mini farm. Very cool! With hopes of one day modeling my yard after theirs, this recent story (which I've posted a link for) has me wondering what my township will think when most of my front yard is an edible landscape?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this story. And am wondering if any of you have had to fight with your local gov on your path to food freedom.

Michigan woman faces 93 days in jail for planting veggi garden

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by rachel whetzel on July 13, 2011 at 7:59pm

I'll have to politely disagree with you on the Darvis family... used to be a fan, but have since lost my respect for them when they attempted to trademark Urban Homesteading as a term they coined. They have alienated a lot of people with this needless and thinly veiled attempt at making money in an area they claim not to be interested in making money from. They DO have a pretty cool yard and garden though. :)

As to Julie's story, I've been following it for a while now, and though the city says that they won't be subjecting Julie to jail time, it's a prime example of how government has WAY to much say in what we do in our yards.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Heather Skerl Spegal on July 13, 2011 at 10:42pm

I just recently stumble upon the Dervaes and was amazed with the yard and what they've done with it. But yes I can see where they are a bit "trade markie" with things. :)

I'm very concerned with Julie's story. As I said, I am on a mission to make my yard a mini urban farm. I would hate to transform my yard only to have the township come knocking and tell me to take it down and put back the useless lawn. It will be interesting to see how things work out for her.

I will be looking into my township regulations on what I am allowed to do with my front yard garden. <--- its even crazy I have to worry about it!