The facts: Raleigh City Farm is creating an urban farm as a project to spread awareness of sustainability throughout downtown Raleigh.
Our opinion: As members of the Raleigh and N.C . State Community, it is our duty to encourage and support projects like these so they will grow-along with our knowledge of sustainability.
With the development of a new urban garden, the downtown Raleigh community can look forward to not only fresh produce, but also knowledge about the benefits of food from nearby environments.
N.C . State’s sustainability efforts are always focused on increasing awareness towards the environment and our carbon footprint. Projects, like the “Think Outside the Brick” competition propel this direction of thought toward acting as stewards of the earth. Raleigh City Farm is helping further this cause to a broader community.
The one-acre lot on Franklin and Blount Street will host the first downtown community farm for customers to buy fresh produce. While some students see the importance and opportunity to purchase local produce from this space, the company is using these spaces as a means to educate the people.
Eating local foods cannot only create a healthier diet, but in some cases can aid in the reduction of your grocery bills. Many consumers see organic food as too expensive and therefore choose the cheaper, less healthy option. However, since the Raleigh City Farm is a not-for-profit organization any donations will go toward the project itself.
The farm aims for a business model that will also exemplify sustainability, by the sale of products and services. Being a school whose goal is sustainability awareness comes with responsibilities to support other efforts.
Students should support these types of efforts because of the growing need for a sustainable society. Events like the Campus Farmer’s Market allow students to receive fresh produce and other products from local regions without going out of their way. With this urban farm, students will have another venue for gathering such goodies.
If we are given the opportunity to learn how to sustain ourselves on a local diet while still in school, we will be able to further that in our future. Helping spread awareness as well as a better business model, will help our generation as well as future ones. This is due to the ever-growing carbon footprint we obtain, along with an equal rate of decrease in accountability or motivation to change.
By taking a small step today, we can make an impact tomorrow. Projects like the urban farm in downtown Raleigh allows the opportunity for such a step-take it.
