Final report for FNC23-1382
Project Information
jon kent, Co-founder of Sanctuary Farms (SF). His roles are centered around business development and community outreach. However, his role covers a variety of responsibilities to ensure the success of SF. He has managed our farmland purchase, soil testing, applying for grants, making partnerships with community organizations focused on sustainability and farming. Outreach and community relations are jon’s major strengths.
Tony Johnson, Sanctuary Farms Initiative Director. His 7 years of ngo work range from tutoring and educational programming, urban farm and volunteer management, to a gardening consultant. His expertise is facilitating discussions, creating surveys, and leading research initiatives.
Canfield Consortium Farm
Kim Theus, Co-founder of the Canfield Consortium Farm who's role in agriculture is the cultivation of the soil in our community and engaging with neighbors to ensure their needs are met. A main research and community engagement has revealed that residents are concerned with the quality of the soil in neighborhoods.
Water Consortium Team
Erma Leaphart, Community Organizer for the Sierra Club. Erma’s a respected environmental activist around all things water in the Greater Metro of Detroit. Chairing the City of Detroit’s Green Task Force Water Committee, where she ensures water affordability, conservation and equity are at the forefront of work. She will be helping us craft best practices in regard to water conservation for farmers.
Tepfirah Rushdan, Co-Founder of Black Farmer Land Fund. Tepfirah’s a multihyphenate community organizer and serial social entrepreneur. As a trusted intermediary between the City of Detroit and farmers, she has helped establish a new renaissance of urban agriculture in Detroit. She has been working with the DWSD to make the task for farmers wanting access to water more efficient and accessible.
Katie Brandt, Educational Programs Manager, MSU Student Organic Farm
Katie’s work focuses on developing beginning farmers through leading the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program, the Michigan Sustainable Farm Mentors project and collaborating on curriculum development for beginning farmers. As a gifted systems builder, and former successful organic farm co-founder, she will be helping us synthesize our knowledge and research into a palatable educational experience for farmers to use in navigating what water catchment system is best for their farm needs.
Micah Hutchinson, is a Produce Safety Technician located at the Genesee Conservation District. She works with fruit and vegetable farmers in Southeastern Michigan. She helps educate growers on the best practices to prevent and reduce microbial contamination on fresh produce
A large barrier to the sustainability of many urban farms is consistent water access. Although there are many options such as using a neighbor’s tap, rain catchment, relying on rain, or a combination, any of those may not last or be sufficient as it is or with the increasingly extreme conditions we are experiencing from climate change. Connecting to the city lines is the most secure, yet is costly, confusing, and time consuming here in the city of Detroit and other cities in the region.
We are currently experiencing the difficult process of securing a tap into the water line and exploring other water security options as we work to double the size of our operation from just under an acre to about 2 acres, which will prove very difficult to maintain under our current watering capabilities.
Solution
- Our research will include five varying water catchment systems: 1) rainwater harvesting (tote); 2) city main water line tap; 3) fire hydrant conversion; 4) cisterns; and 5) water basin comparing variables such as conservation, water quality, cost, ease of installation, and local availability to source.
- We are interested in documenting experiences, getting a consensus from local farmers on the types of water catchment systems most preferred and consolidating the knowledge they have on said systems or others in previous settings.
- Surveys will be taken both in-person and via google forms.
- We will document 2 farms for each of the 5 varying watering catchments systems (totaling 10 farms), they will be considered "Model Practices Farmers".
- We also will enroll 10 beginning, limited resource and historically disadvantaged farmers to learn about best practices, they will be considered "New Practices Farmers".
- Both "Model Practices Farmers" and "New Practices Farmers" will receive a stipend for the participation. "Model Practices Farmers" will be paid for their interview, survey participation and webinar/in-person meetings. "Aspiring Farmers" will be paid for their survey participation and webinar/in-person meetings, they will also be given financial assistance to help them start up costs in implementing one of the five varying water catchment systems on their farm.
- The Water Consortium will meet with Devyn McNaughton of City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) and/or city officials to better understand how farmers can best navigate the department to figure out which of the five varying water catchment systems is best for them and what all that entails, like permits, applications and cost. We will document the process, and develop a concise plan detailing how best to navigate working with DWSD and other city departments, as needed. We will also advocate that they allocate resources, specifically a point person, that has the responsibility to help farmers figure out water catchment solutions for their farm.
- Once there is a clear consensus on best practices on the five varying water catchment systems with DWSD, we will create an informational piece for farmers to consider water conservation. We will source best water conservation methods with the help of Erma Leaphart, academic studies and utilizing our own internal survey data/interviews from farmers we collected.
Objectives
- Create an informational piece highlighting most effective water securing options for urban farms.
- Develop four webinars and four in-person seminars for "Aspiring Farmers" to learn about the five varying water catchment systems, conservation practices and how to interact with DWSD for their water needs.
- Detailed outlining each of the five varying water catchment systems with departments to contact, permits to apply for, and list of licensed master plumbers.
- Share information through our network of community and environmentally centered organizations.
- Work with Devyn McNaughton of DWSD to develop trusted relationships with the DWSD, with the goal of them seeing the benefit of having a point person for relations with farmers, new and old alike. And foster pathways for farmers to feel more comfortable speaking with DWSD and city officials on their water needs.
- Provide financial support for aspiring farmers who go through our program to learn about best water catchment and conservation practices.
Cooperators
- - Producer
Research
- The main resources we applied to this project were:
- Survey123 through ARCGIS
- This tool has dynamic survey creation capabilities and analysis of the responses we received.
- Zoom
- The video communications platform facilitated all of our meetings. From the water consortium team meetings to ones with DWSD.
- Our Water Consortium Team
- Essential for sharing the workload, broadening the team’s experience in farming and water conservation, and helping to facilitate connections around the city and state.
- Survey123 through ARCGIS
- We first began by developing our survey questions. We used our experience farming in the city and DWSD to guide our question making and then received ideas and support from the Water Consortium to refine the questions
- Surveying current farmers and gardeners in the Wayne County area to gauge the levels of education and experiential expertise in the areas of farming and water conservation, as well as, their comfortability and experiences working with the Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD). We aimed to gain an understanding of what information is most important to provide in the workshops and the one-pager info sheets describing water conservation practices.
- We distributed flyers for our survey through a multitude of farmers markets, non-profits, and local media outlets.
- The list is as follows; Keep Growing Detroit, Riverwise Magazine, Planet Detroit, Brightmoor Artisans Market, Feedem Freedom Growers, The Solutionaries Collection, Detroit City of Hope email group, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, East Warren Farmers’ Market, Westland Farmers’ Market, Sowing Seeds Growing Futures Farmers’ Market, Plymouth Farmers’ Market, Trenton Farmers Market, Block’s Stand Farmers Market, Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe
- After 4 months of our survey being out, we received 32 legitimate responses from local farmers.
- Here is some of the information we pulled from our surveys at this point.
- Water Catchment Systems;
- 58% of participants have less than a year or no experience with rainwater harvesting systems.
- 79% of participants have less than a year or no experience tapping the city main water line.
- 85% of participants have less than a year or no experience with fire hydrant conversion systems.
- 59% of participants have less than a year or no experience with cisterns.
- 79% of participants have less than a year or no experience with water basins.
- 58% of our participants would like to learn more about rainwater harvesting, 36% would like to learn more about tapping the city main water line, and 25% of participants are interested in fire hydrant conversion systems, cisterns, and water basins.
- Common barriers to irrigation are the price of water, the cost to tap the city main water line, the cost to construct a catchment system, and a general lack of rain.
- 78% of participants are unaware of funding opportunities for building rain catchment systems.
- 63% of participants do not know of organizations to reach out to for help with questions related to water accessibility.
- 53% of participants do not know how to connect to the city water line.
- 70% of participants do not know where to find a good contractor to tap the city water line.
- 50% of participants do not feel comfortable reaching out to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD).
- 65% of participants are unfamiliar with DWSD water credits and are paying a drainage fee on “impervious surfaces” for their garden or farm.
- 79% of participants need assistance with disputing the drainage fee.
- Water Catchment Systems;
- Even with this small sampling of participants, we can generalize that there is a need and a desire by farmers and gardeners in Wayne County to learn more about ways to secure water for their farms. The data also suggested a need to be better informed about the ways to work with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and a channel for them to feel more comfortable reaching out to the DWSD.
- At this point, we began collaborating with Kido Pielack, farmer and Infrastructure Manager from Keep Growing Detroit (KGD) to help distribute water meters. They also informed us about the legal gray areas that cause many farmers and gardeners to turn away from cisterns, water basins, and tapping fire hydrants. KGD is one of the larger urban farming non-profits in Detroit and they have a wealth of resources regarding rain catchments.
Project Shift
We decided to change course slightly after receiving this information from Kido and seeing that we were making some headway with DWSD. Meeting with a SARE representative we proposed a change of scope for our project. Instead of dedicating time to research further the systems farmers and gardeners could not utilize in our area, we aimed to promote the fire hydrant conversion with DWSD and increase visibility for urban farmers with the department. For anyone interested in rain-catchments, we would boost KGD, as their resources regarding the topic are robust. We also thought working on a resolution we could get passed at City Council would bring more awareness of the struggles of the farming community around water security
- We continued boosting the survey through our partners and digital connections to try to get more participants.
- With our initial data we began meeting with members of Detroit’s Water and Sewage Department, principally Syed Ali the Drainage Engineering Manager, to discuss ways of growing their relationship with urban agriculture in the city.
- Initially, we proposed to DWSD the possibility of accessing fire hydrants for irrigation purposes. We have seen this done in a variety of ways in other cities around the country, including Flint, Lansing, Chicago, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and New York.
- DWSD did not jump at the idea during our first meeting, yet they weren’t completely against it. Syed Ali furnished us with this non-exhaustive list of concerns around accessing the hydrants.
- Primary function of the fire hydrant is to fight fires; it should be immediately accessible when needed.
- Water quality and safety.
- Overuse of hydrants/water. Improperly operated hydrants can easily cause leaks or water main breaks.
- Misuse and water theft.
- DWSD does not have personnel/resources to install/inspect the reduced pressure backflow preventer and monitor its safe use.
- Integrity of drinking water system.
- Can cause reductions in water pressure in other water system sections.
- Can cause damage to fire hydrant and may not be available for use when needed in an emergency.
- Piping leading from the hydrant to irrigation system is normally exposed and can easily be kicked or broken leading to leaks and breaks.
- After researching the cities listed above and their policies around accessing fire hydrants, we developed a presentation for DWSD about the various preventive measures available and the benefit to water security this system offers farmers and gardeners in an urban setting, especially economically. We have attached the answers we gleaned from the 7 cities here.
- Our proposal was not accepted due to concerns that the general public could damage the city waterline infrastructure when utilizing the hydrants. Considering that, the Water Consortium Team brought up the idea of a partnership with the fire department to create farms and gardens to get large totes filled with water from the fire hydrants by firemen.
- DWSD was resistant to this idea as well, yet it led to them offering to install a Wabash system at Sanctuary Farms as a pilot program.
- The team continued to pursue the idea with the support of Anthony Watts from the Detroit Fire Department.
- A survey showing farmer interest in the DFD filling totes at farms was next to help convince DWSD.
- Notable data from the survey of the 48 survey participants:
- Water Catchment Systems;
- 59% of participants have less than a year or no experience with rainwater harvesting systems.
- 82% of participants have less than a year or no experience tapping the City main water line.
- 93% of participants have less than a year or no experience with fire hydrant conversion systems.
- 59% of participants have less than a year or no experience with cisterns.
- 82% of participants have less than a year or no experience with water basins.
- Percentage of participants interested in learning more about the water catchment systems:
- Rainwater harvesting - 58%
- City main water line tapping - 36%
- Fire hydrant conversion - 30%
- Cisterns - 26%
- Water basins - 25%
- Common barriers to irrigation are the price of water, the cost to tap the City main water line, the cost to construct a catchment system, and a general lack of rain.
- 79% of participants are unaware of funding opportunities for building rain catchment systems.
- 63% of participants do not know of organizations to reach out to for help with questions related to water accessibility.
- 56% of participants do not know how to connect to the city water line.
- 73% of participants do not know where to find a good contractor to tap the city water line.
- 50% of participants do not feel comfortable reaching out to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD).
- 68% of participants are unfamiliar with DWSD water credits
- 83% do not know how to request offsets from city fees for impervious surfaces/water runoff
- Water Catchment Systems;
Even with this small sampling of participants, we can generalize that there is a need and a desire by farmers and gardeners in Wayne County to learn more about ways to secure water for their farms. As well as a need to be better informed about the ways to work with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and a channel for them to feel more comfortable reaching out to the DWSD.
- We plan to leave the survey open and continue to gather data on the needs of farmers and gardeners in regards to water equity in Detroit. The survey will live on the Water Consortium interactive webpage which will be launching in February.
- You can also access the survey here, if you'd like to take it or see our questions in full.
From the experience working with DWSD, having a point person within the department may be helpful for farmers looking for support, but that may not be enough as we needed to have multiple meetings with the department staff to get to the solution installing the Wabash system, and then developing a program for other farmers. Considering we had a whole team of experienced farmers and water activists, our capacity to support our cause is much greater than the average farmer on their own.
The development and growth of the Water Consortium team was key to the success of our research. The experienced guidance and support from each member helped to continually steer our project towards supporting water equity in Detroit, and build something that will continue after this grant. The Water Consortium is in the process of creating by-laws and its democratic structure.
Here are all who participated in the Water Consortium over the course of the grant:
Primary Members
jøn kent | Sanctuary Farms
Tony Johnson | Sanctuary Farms
Kim Theus | Canfield Consortium
Katie Brandt | Michigan State University
Tepfirah Rushdan | City of Detroit - Office of Sustainability
Patrice Brown | City of Detroit - Office of Sustainability
Erma Leaphart | Sierra Club
Kido Pielack | Keep Growing Detroit
Ashley Atkinson | Keep Growing Detroit
Secondary Members
Kwame Hampton | Freshwater Future
Micah Hutchison | Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Skylar Kriese | We The People of Detroit
- Our team has drafted a resolution supported by Latisha Johnson from District 4 to take to City Council in regards to water security which states the following;
- Resolution To Demonstrate Strong Support For The City Of Detroit To Provide Viable Options For Detroit Urban Farmers To Access Water Up To And Including Access To City Water Lines.
- We and our water consortium team refined the details with support from Lesli Hoey, Associate Professor at UMich’s Taubman Urban and Regional Planning and Kami Pothukuchi, Professor of Urban Planning at Wayne State University
The Water Consortium team met internally 9 times and with DWSD another 5 times. These meetings, along with research, presentation creation, and program development during the interims allowed the Water Consortium to challenge the concerns of DWSD in a positive manner which resulted in a strong relationship developed with the department and the creation of two water security programs benefitting farmers in the city.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Our outreach was limited to surveys. We did not focus on educating on resources which could not be utilized by the local farming community, or which were already well research by other agricultural non-profits, like Keep growing Detroit.
Learning Outcomes
- We had difficulty getting survey responses although we promoted the survey through many channels both physically and digitally. In hindsight, it may have been a good idea to post a table at farmer's markets to discuss the study with people in person.
- Besides the rain catchment system and tapping the main line, the three remaining water catchment systems we surveyed are not legal within the city limits, and with DWSD not wanting to pursue converting fire hydrants our work shifted towards securing Wabash systems for farmers across the city and continuing to advocate for water equity.
- There is a gap between the capacity and comfortability of DWSD, the laws and regulations in the city of Detroit, and the resources/information readily available for the general farming public.
- Detroit Water and Sewage Department, at this time, is against Fire Hydrant tapping for irrigation, as they worry about meters being left out, stolen or tampered with, or the hydrant being tampered with and possibly causing infrastructure damage to an already old and worn down infrastructure. Detroit’s fire hydrants only have two outlets, causing a concern that if a fire occurred near a tapped hydrant, the fire department would have issues using the fire hydrant in a prompt manner.
- DWSD sees the relationship with hydrants as one of an emergency response, where as we farmers see it as being dual purpose, both an emergency response and a source of water security.
- Budgetary constrains for DWSD and not enough properly trained personnel create a barrier between the department and the farmer community.
- We had never heard of a Wabash system. Just learning about the option was great, and to be able to pilot one while building out a program for other farmers is amazing. Although we had some challenges and course changes, staying true to the cause of water equity helped guide us to some amazing results.
- Having the support of the Detroit Fire Department was crucial for creating our secondary water security program of filling totes. The enthusiasm they had for the program and willingness to support with personnel eased the concerns of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
Project Outcomes
- Established the Water Consortium which will continue to further Water Equity work in Detroit beyond this grant.
- Developed a positive relationship with senior staff at DWSD.
- We want to thank all those with the department who met with us to get the pilot Wabash system installed and helped develop the program to install more for other farmers. They are, in no particular order; Gary Brown, Syed Ali, Devyn McNaughton, Shirletta Flake, Theron Martin, Ericka Meah, Lisa Wallick, Devyn McNaughton, Bryan Peckinpaugh, LaToniya Jones, and Samuel Smalley.
- Sanctuary Farms became the first farm to Pilot the Wabash installation program in conjunction with Water Consortium and DWSD, which will supply up to 15 other farmers with a Wabash system in 2025 and 2026. The partner org, KGD, will be supporting the installations with grant money.
- Approval by DWSD to pilot a tote filling system in partnership with the Detroit Fire Department and the Water Consortium, to support more farmers with water security.
- Drafted Resolution to be sent to Detroit City Council in support of increased water security for farmers in Detroit
- Water Consortium partnered with DWSD and DFD to start a tote filling program, pending water quality results, which could serve 30 farms this year.
- Thanks to Anthony Watts from DFD for being a point person and collaborator.