Hamilton Green, mayor of Georgetown, is encouraging residents to engage in urban farming and plant food crops where space is available, instead of giving the environmental health inspectors reasons to serve notices for overgrown, bushy yards.
Green made this call in a message to observe World Environment Day on June 5. He said the theme this year, ‘Think. Eat. Save,’ is timely and relevant as it speaks to an urgent need to change attitudes and lifestyles.
He encouraged residents to plant fruits and vegetables, saying that urban farming makes food as local as possible, so you get fresh and healthier foods. He also said that another benefit of urban farming would be to add greenery to Georgetown, reducing runoff and increasing shade. Green said that garden plots in local neighbourhoods can help people gain a greater appreciation and respect the natural environment reconnecting with the earth. The mayor also noted that there is wastage in many parts of the city while there are others in need of nutritious food. He highlighted the example of leftover fruits, vegetables and other provisions from the markets being dumped in the bins when vendors do not want to take them back to their villages. Green said that there is need to explore the possibility of producing animal feed from these leftovers. He said that this would reduce wastage and extend the life of the landfill site at Haag Bosch.
