MAYOR, ALDERMEN OFFER PLAN TO SUPPORT URBAN AGRICULTURE MOVEMENT IN SOMERVILLE

SOMERVILLE - Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today
that he is working with members of the Board of Aldermen, City staff, and
several community partners to develop an urban agriculture initiative in
Somerville.  As a first step, the Mayor
and several aldermen will co-sponsor submission of a proposed ordinance at the
regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen on Thursday, April 12^th.

"This is part of a nationwide trend toward
public-sector support for urban agriculture, but it is also a direct response
to the interest shown on this topic by our aldermen and by many members of the
general public," said Mayor Curtatone. "We're not just talking about community
gardens here, but other food production options that lend themselves to the
urban environment, including aquaponics and hydroponics. We see this initiative
as a logical extension of the Shape Up Somerville program.  Support for urban agriculture helps our
residents obtain fresher, healthier food as well as helping them control where
their food comes from and how it is produced."

"Community groups
like Groundwork Somerville have done a terrific grassroots job in promoting
efficient, sustainable use of urban open space, and we need to recast city
rules and policies to support those efforts," said Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah
Gewirtz, chair of the Board of Aldermen's Environment and Energy
Committee.  "My constituents are
enthusiastic about the potential for urban agriculture to enhance their health
and the quality of their lives.  This
ordinance will empower our residents to explore urban agriculture as a means to
improve their lives and their environment."

"One of the
great things about Somerville is a creative, do-it-yourself, keep-it-local
approach that shows up in small business, in our arts and music scene, and in
our community events," said Alderman at Large Jack Connolly. "This is another
area of interest and opportunity for Somerville residents who want to explore
positive, life-enhancing activities that benefit the entire community. I'm
excited to be working with the Mayor and my colleagues on the Board to create a
supportive environment for urban agriculture."

In addition to the proposed ordinance, which would create
a framework for residential, community and commercial farming within the city
limits, City officials have also announced a series of public events to celebrate
the start of the growing season and to promote local farming. 

Three events are planned for the Earth Day
weekend on Saturday, April 21^st to celebrate the City's commitment
to green initiatives and urban farming:

• Let's Grow Somerville! Urban Agriculture Workshop
  10:00 A.M.-Noon, Mudflat Studio, 81 Broadway in East Somerville

  Join expert and novice gardeners and farmers to share
  information about growing food in the city. Short presentations will be given by
  City Planning staff, Green City Growers, Groundwork Somerville and Cuisine en
  Locale.
  

• Groundwork Farm Raising
  10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M., South
  Street Farm, 111 South Street

  Join the Groundwork Somerville Green Teamfor a
  "farm raising" at Somerville's
  first farm. Help build and lay out the raised beds, fill them, mix soil,
  and plant the first crops of the spring with Green City Growers. Healthy snacks
  and activities will be provided.

• Somerville
  Reads Celebration: A Community Potluck
  1:00- 3:00 P.M., Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland
  Avenue
  Bring a dish to share (please list ingredients), and vote
  for your favorite. Celebrate the City's third "One City, One Book" campaign,
  Somerville Reads 2012-a project that promotes literacy and community engagement
  by encouraging people all over the City to read and discuss books on the same
  theme. This year's theme is food-local, sustainable, and delicious! Enjoy music
  by the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library Band and children's activities for
  the wee ones.

The series continues in May with a garden celebration
and a talk on bee keeping by Kagen
Weeks of Hive at Your Home.

Residents are invited to participate in a free seed and/or seedling
exchange, and to help paint a bee hive that will be installed at the Growing Center later this spring.

Additional information about the City's Urban Agriculture
Initiative and related events can be found at www.somervillema.gov/urbanag.