How urban farms in Detroit could feed the locals

Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that urban farms can produce enough fruits and vegetables to feed most of the local demand for produce.

If vacant urban lots were transformed into farms and community gardens, locals in Detroit could get 75 percent of their vegetables and 40 percent of their fruit this way.

The Michigan scientists looked at unused land using aerial imagery and tapped into the city's database. They uncovered nearly 45,000 vacant urban lots. But the researchers didn't include areas like parks and schools - only places that you could actually grow produce in.

Besides the farms and community gardens, you'd need a place to store the produce.

The researchers think its worth the investment to plan for urban agriculture. As an added feel good bonus, the community would feel more connected to the land if the produce grew locally.

BK Farmyards in Brooklyn has seen this community bonding effect first-hand, as they convert ordinary backyards into lush food garden.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com