Following the June launch of Lansing's first urban farm, the Lansing Urban Farm Project will host the Urbandale Tomato Festival Saturday, Sept. 4.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., members of the public can taste more than eight varieties of tomatoes and peruse recipes. In addition, the Urbandale Farm Stand will sell tomatoes, green beans, squash, bell and hot peppers, basil and chard — all of which were grown on the farm, with help from Urbandale residents and volunteers.
The farm is located in Lansing's east side at 653 S. Hayford St. The half-acre plot is undevelopable because it sits on the city's 100-year flood plain, meaning it's subject to flooding from the Red Cedar River.
Laura DeLind, senior academic specialist in Michigan State University's Department of Anthropology and visiting assistant professor in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, and Linda Anderson, professor emeritus of teacher education, started the Lansing Urban Farm Project. Its mission is to economically and socially revive urban neighborhoods of Lansing by providing fresh, affordable produce and improving community relations.
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