Agritopia
Agritopia is a 166-acre (67 ha) mixed use planned community in Gilbert, Maricopa County, Arizona. It was designed with the intent of encouraging agrarianism and fostering community bonds in a mixed-income, mixed-density setting. It is a multi-zoned agrihood community with a certified[further explanation needed] organic farm and commercial spaces.[1]
Neighborhood and history
[edit | edit source]The neighborhood was first envisioned in 1990 by Joe Johnston, a Gilbert resident who saw developing the land upon which sat his family farm as a means of "creating place" in a rapidly urbanizing environment.[2] His family gave their blessing for Johnston to develop the land, and construction began in the early 2000s.[2][3][4]
The community contains 452 lots on which the developer built single family homes, cottages, and bungalows, all in neotraditional architectural styles from the early 20th century United States. The community also includes a functioning urban farm, a community garden, a private 470-student Christian school, a community center, a retirement home, and four restaurants.[3] The developers established neighborhood covenants which encouraged home-based and agricultural businesses, and pedestrian transit, but discouraged rental housing.[3] Homes range from 1,300 square feet (120 m2) to 7,000 square feet (650 m2). Street and home designs are intended to encourage socialization among neighbors.[3][5]
Within Agritopia are currently two stand-alone restaurants. Joe's Farm Grill was featured on the Food Network's show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" hosted by Guy Fieri.[6] Next door is The Coffee Shop, which won an episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars.[7]
Neighborhood farm
[edit | edit source]A variety of produce is grown by the community, including beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, dill, fennel, garlic, kale, lettuce, onion, parsley, sugar snap and snow peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and Swiss chard.[8]
Criticisms
[edit | edit source]Community farms, though popular among developers in the southern US as an amenities option for neighborhood residents in new listing zones, have been criticized for the role they play in driving gentrification in those same regions.[2][9][10] Though the produce grown in Agritopia's farm lots is donated to a local food pantry and sold at a market in downtown Gilbert, low participation of the community's members in the neighborhood's "farm box" program, which grants them first pick of the harvest, has been noted by outside observers.[2]
References
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Further reading
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