Buffalo Rising Online

I assume that some type of remediation has been done at this location ?

Why would it need remediation? Probably the only thing ever on this spot was a private house, and nothing but farm and forest before that.

This is wonderful news. I hope there are opportunities for gardens like this in other areas of the city, too. Perhaps, Broadway Market and/or local chefs could partner with this garden to buy local produce for their establishment(s).

It's official, West ave is the green thumb street. Two amazing community gardens located just a couple blocks south near West Ave and Jersey st. Hopefully this idea spreads like weeds. What is the city doing to promotes this?

If Buffalo adopted this wherever possible throughout the city, the 'think small' movement could take on new meaning. I wish local restaurants could think creatively and 'adopt' these little farms for their own ingredients; then, Buffalo could raise the bar and become a real foodie town so the farms would have the impetus to flourish. I can't believe how silent the food contingent is on local issues, such as these, that may/can affect them.

There will be remediation steps on this site - yes. Soil samples for testing are now at the Lab in Cornell Matt has informed me. They are having a full range of tests for any potential metals or toxins. Although, it is probably 95% or more unlikely that there is any impure and intolerable metal traces or other. They are doing this mainly to establish a benchmark for ongoing seasonal testing in the future and then they can have something to work off and monitor the soil health and condition over time and amend as needed. The compost, leaves, soil, alfalfa, etc... other mixes they are incorporating will naturally - due to the highly active bacteria and fungal presence - provide bio-remediation steps. Also, they will be doing a large scale worm release in spring - sort of verminculture if you will. Worms are natures #1 bio-remediation tool. Nature does a lot of her own remediation over time without any help from us. Unless it's a highly "impure" site - and this site has no record of such possibilities. Although, the soil testing will reveal any presence and it's a nice insurance policy. Plus, it's a professional approach to the whole process. The use of the site was eagerly approved by the Zoning and Planning boards. They are excited and supportive. They would like to see more of this same COMMITTMENT around the city. Curbside Croft is paying for everything out of their pocket. They have not applied for, or asked for, any $ from anyone. They want to be 100% independent so they can manage the site as they know it should be without anyone's influences. These folks have consulted with numerous professionals, done vasts amount of research; and have travelled at their own expense around the NE US to various conferences, seminars, shows, display gardens, etc...where other cities and similar groups are doing the same thing. They are applying their experiences and observations they have aquired from world travel to Peru, NZ, Australia, Central America, Mexico, and across America - where they have learned about various types of agriculture, permaculture, socialized farming, old world ag customs, food types, etc... Even though this Vermont St site is not operational until spring, these guys are still actively looking for additional lots to expand the farming. They know it will gradually, with patience, grow well beyond the bounds of one or two vacant lots and they need to plan for that now. They do receive help from friends and colleagues in the form of tools, voilunteer labor, clean fill, trucking, etc... These people that help them are doing so because these people know it is a noble undertaking and they want to see it work and succeed. It is very exciting! Thats what friends are for! Good luck and keep up the great work and committment guys!!