The city’s largest urban farm is growing. A hoop house has been erected on Mark & Janice Stevens’ Wilson Street Urban Farm in the Broadway/Fillmore neighborhood. The plastic enclosed hoop house is an affordable alternative to a greenhouse.
The hoop house will extend the growing season. It will also be used to grow seedlings, getting a jumpstart on next year’s crop. Mark and Janice received assistance from the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. to build the structure.
People from all walks of life joined in the “hoop house raising,” from University at Buffalo professors, neighbors and family members. Assistance was provided by the Curtis Urban Farm Foundation, Buffalo ReUse, Lombard Clark Block Club, Friends of Broadway Market, Duch’s Hardware, UB Environmental Network, UB Law, Engineers for a Sustainable World, and Dave Majewski of Premium Services who donated wood chips and compost.
The Stevens are utilizing 27 parcels on Wilson Street under a pilot program with the City of Buffalo. They are responsible for maintaining the properties, conducting gardening activities in a neat and orderly appearance, and any produce from the parcels is offered or sold in the City of Buffalo. Under the five year agreement, they will pay the City the annual sum of $1.
Mark Stevens – working with his son and neighbors – finds time to donate a whole Saturday to help a friend and neighbor with a new roof.