Summary:

If I had a million dollars I would use it to make Saint Paul a green city of community gardens,inner city parks,angreen roofs and boulevards. I would promote and the greening of inner city roofs and lots have strong grassroots support through various programs in Saint Paul, the Twin Cities and other parts of the country. Urban agriculture is a growing trend. The one million dollars could contribute greatly to these urban agriculture and sustainability programs that are already forming or are in place. The money could also help empower a grassroots movement that is growing. A page on the City of Saint Paul website lists some of the benefits of greening Saint Paul http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=3242. The creation of urban agricultural spaces, and more inner city parks could also create jobs as well as food and recreation. I would find a panel of expert consultants on urban agriculture that would make sure the funds are used wisely and are realistic with our northern climate. Examples of possible experts are Will Allen, Atina and Martin Diffley, Carol Ford & Chuck Waibel, as well as other local experts on youth development and gardening programs. The goal would be to promote sustainable urban agriculture garden spaces to grow fresh food to improve the health of everyone, including the poor and homeless, create jobs, create youth development programs and teen jobs based on urban agriculture, provide safe small city nature areas for kids to play and learn about nature and sustainability, and to connect us all more to nature. More nature and green space from gardens and small inner city parks would also help clean our air and reduce our carbon footprint and help promote a sense of community. We can build on the efforts that are already in place to help fund this grassroots movement of caring for our land, our city, our kids and our neighbors. The city would become more beautiful, more sustainable, more welcoming and more healthy for everyone into the future.