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Advocates push Des Moines to expand urban orchards, council agrees to staff follow-up
Summary
Local food advocates praised the city’s move toward urban orchards and community food production; council received the proposal and asked staff to check planting timing and potential city lots for future projects.
Speakers from Birds and Bees Urban Farm urged the Des Moines City Council to pursue more urban orchards and community food projects at the May 5 meeting, and the council directed staff to continue exploring city sites for urban agriculture.
"We are seeing the momentum for local foods and making local foods normal and expected in the city grow and grow," said Kathy Burns of Birds and Bees Urban Farm, who asked the council to consider naming Des Moines a national leader for local food production. Her husband, Ed Fallon, said the city’s existing policies — including permissive backyard chicken rules — make Des Moines an attractive place for local-food initiatives.
Council members moved to receive and file the item related to the Drake Park community orchard and other potential lots, and staff were asked to check whether planting should occur now or in the fall. "Can Scott check to see if the plantings couldn't happen earlier, if it's better for the trees," a council member asked during the meeting.
Speakers said Drake Park could accommodate roughly 60 trees and that earlier planting might be preferable to fall planting. City staff indicated they are surveying possible lots and will bring options back to council. The council approved receiving and filing the project materials 7–0.
No binding dedication of land or new budget appropriation was made at the meeting; council action was to receive the materials and ask staff to proceed with technical checks and outreach. Advocates said they would continue to work with city staff and look for sites that could be preserved for food production rather than later redeveloped.
The council asked staff to report back on planting windows and identified sites so that any planting plans can proceed with appropriate timing and long-term site protection.
