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Urban Gardening Could Get Easier In Dallas This Week

Jeff Whittington
/
KERA News
Susie Marshall is executive director of GROW North Texas.

For the first time since 2010, the Dallas City Council this week is considering new rules around agriculture within the city limits. The new ordinance was put together by a team of food activists, gardeners, city staff and elected officials. Susie Marshall, executive director of GROW North Texas, was one of those people. 

Marshall sat down with KERA executive producer Jeff Whittington to discuss what the proposal means for Dallas.

Interview Highlights: Susie Marshall…

… on what the proposed rule change means: “The community garden ordinance that’s been in place since 2010 is being expanded. ... It will allow for commercial production on a small scale but a significant scale. If a garden is in a residential area, they will have to sell off-site. If it’s in a commercial area, they will have some parameters to sell on-site.”

… on what the proposal means for aquaponics and chickens: “You can have structures that allow for food production in a closed water system that involves fish. You can produce a good number of vegetables along with raising some protein in the fish. Chickens will also be allowed in community gardens now ... so eggs are also going to be available.”

… on how urban gardens can change lives: “When a community, a neighborhood, comes together around a garden, around food production, that’s the catalyst for other community change. They’ve succeeded in starting this garden and they’re working together, so what else is possible?”