Royal Oak Community Farm harvests produce and profits

In a city sometimes defined by its shopping, bars, restaurants, and nightlife, it is down-on-the farm goodness that's squeezing onto the scene.

The Royal Oak Community Farm, soon to see its second harvest of herbs and vegetables, is expecting to turn a profit in its second year of business, says David Baldwin, founder of Royal Oak Forward, a community development nonprofit that runs the farm.

The money made this year will go to the Royal Oak Foundation for Public Education. The Royal Oak school district leases the land for the garden.

The garden is located on 11 Mile Road east of Campbell and is run by a farmer/horticulturalist who oversees the produce that goes into Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares sold to about 30 residents from Royal Oak as well as nearby cities such as Ferndale and Birmingham. About 30 CSA shares were sold last year to about 60 people, Baldwin says. Other food grown in the garden is sold to local restaurants, Baldwin says. More orders of both types are expected this year, he says.

"We're expecting an increase in orders this year," he says.

Goods from the garden will also be sold starting in mid-May at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, which is open year-round.

While not through the long process of being certified organic, the garden is grown using organic and natural practices, Baldwin says.

Source: David Baldwin, founder of Royal Oak Forward
Writer: Kim North Shine