Can Gardens Pay for Themselves?

One of the biggest questions in urban agriculture is how in the world can we make this movement economically sustainable?  Many things are being tried such as community supported agriculture box subscriptions, selling produce at farmers markets and the latest, changing city code so people can sell from their yards.

Looking at other cities, another thing that helps make gardens more economically viable is by producing value-added products like jam or cosmetics.

From the Rebel Tomato site, here is a list of value-added products:

• Jams and Jellies
• Sauces
• Salad Dressings
• Salsas and Chutneys
• Pickles
• Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Dried fruits
• Baked goods
• Garlic Braids
• Dried herbs

The site also offers advice on how to market these products, such as how to identify potential customers and how to package products.

A local group gleaning fruit and making jam is the Community Fruit Harvest of Southwest Seattle.  They are currently selling a tasty plum vanilla jam to help offset costs.

Do you know of other local efforts?  What do you think would help teach more people these skills?

Related posts:

1. Little City Gardens: Exploring the Profitability of Urban Market Gardens in Growing Cities
2. Time to Dry Tomatoes
3. Making Applesauce

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