With funding from the Makenzie Scott Foundation, LISC Indianapolis has launched the Vacant Lot Acquisition Fund for Urban Farmers, a pilot program that is funding two community development corporations (CDCs) with acquiring vacant lots in their area and leasing to urban farmers. After the lease duration, the farming operations have the option to buy the property. The two CDCs selected are Midtown Indy and Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND). After purchasing the vacant lots, the CDCs (in partnership with tenant) will complete any zoning/permit requirements, site remediation, water access, and other preparations needed to grow food on the land.
“This fund ensures urban farmers are given the opportunity to stay in their neighborhood, expand their operations, and ultimately own their land,” said Dr. David Hampton, Executive Director of LISC Indianapolis. “In addition to directly helping food entrepreneurs, this program provides job opportunities, increases food access and helps strengthen the local food ecosystem.”
Cities across the country are looking for ways to clean up and improve vacant lots. Vacant lots have been connected with increased crime rates, illegal dumping, and contamination, which contribute to unsafe conditions in neighborhoods. In Indianapolis, the concentration of vacant properties is predominantly in neighborhoods where we have seen historical disinvestment and lack of resources. With land being a precious resource in the growing Indianapolis community, vacant lots represent a wasted resource and a potential hazard to the community. Urban agriculture is one way to repurpose vacant lots and provide small business opportunities, access to fresh food, improved environmental health and climate resilience, and ultimately neighborhood beautification.
SEND’s efforts to develop food access programming for southeast Indianapolis arose from neighborhood Quality-of-Life planning efforts. The organization launched the ReGrowth program in 2022 to provide support to community gardens by hiring justice-involved young adults. This program helps boost the capacity of community gardens and reduces recidivism for the workers.
“SEND is thrilled to be a recipient of the LISC Vacant Lot Acquisition Fund. This powerful and innovative initiative will help support historically underserved farmers in overcoming barriers to obtain land and capital,” said Kelli Mirgeaux, President, SEND. “Reclaiming land in our community has so many meanings for the African American farming community. From an environmental perspective, this land will be regenerated, and the ecological balance will be restored. From a societal perspective, this land will be given to underserved farmers to reclaim it as their own. By embracing regenerative practices, this project will elevate and empower the community and help to assure environment health.”
Midtown Indianapolis plans to partner with two area organization to facilitate the program, The Kheprw Institute to identify and support eligible businesses and Mapleton Fall Creek Development to aid in property maintenance, water hookups, and other services needed. Midtown Indy will serve to promote, communicate, and support the project and act as the fiscal agent.
"Midtown Indy is pleased to join with strong community partners to uplift community members, activate vacant land, and improve access to food in our community,” said Michael McKillip, Executive Director, Midtown Indy. “We are grateful for the support of LISC, Kheprw Institute, and Mapleton Fall Creek CDC in this initiative."
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