The NHM project will be the first urban agriculture project in Riverside’s disadvantaged Northside neighborhood. The neighborhood is considered a “food desert” according to the USDA Economic Research Service. A nearly $3M Urban Greening Grant has been awarded to the City of Riverside to purchase over 7 acres of blighted farmland. This project will be a collaboration of the Northside community, the Riverside Food Systems Alliance (RFSA), local groups, agencies and the City of Riverside. Additional in-kind and matching funds by various partners will be leveraged to complete the multiple components:
- 453 tree and shrub species selected for high carbon sequestration and pollution absorption properties
- Fields for training beginning farmers, plus incubation plots for small start-up farms
- A community garden and carbon-sequestering demonstration orchards
- A composting area to recycle green waste, which will be used to increase soil health
- A farm stand that will provide fresh produce in an area with no grocery
- Two trails and a bike lane that will reduce vehicle miles traveled and the related pollutants
The project will improve air and water quality, increase wildlife habitat, as well as provide healthy, locally grown food.
- For more information, contact Joyce Jong at:
- jjong@riversideca.gov
- (951) 826-5265
If you are interested in getting involved with NHM, join our Facebook page — Northside Heritage Meadows Community.
