Cultivate Toledo: Economic Growth Through Urban Agriculture

Cultivate Toledo is leading the transformation of vacant urban spaces into small, profitable urban farms, driving local economic growth, job creation, and restaurant supply chains. This initiative, in partnership with the Vistula Foundation and United Way, is a model for revitalizing Toledo’s economy through sustainable farming enterprises.

Economic Impact & Job Creation

• New Jobs: Cultivate Toledo will create 30+ new jobs within three years in farming, food processing, and supply chain roles.
• Entrepreneurial Growth: Microfarms will generate $35,000–$50,000 annually, providing local families with sustainable incomes.
• Land Utilization: Underutilized lots will become revenue-generating businesses, reducing blight and increasing property values.

Strengthening Toledo’s Restaurant & Food Industry

• Local Sourcing: Toledo restaurants will have access to fresh, high-quality, locally grown produce.
• Market Connectivity: Farmers will be directly linked to restaurants, grocers, and food processors, creating a resilient local food network.
• Value-Added Products: Processing facilities will enable the production of pickled goods, sauces, and prepared ingredients, expanding business opportunities.

Public-Private Partnership for Regulatory Success

Cultivate Toledo, in collaboration with the Vistula Foundation and United Way, will lead a Government-Nonprofit Workgroup to streamline urban farming regulations. This initiative draws from successful urban agriculture policies in Cleveland and Atlanta to:

• Advocate for zoning adjustments to support commercial urban farming.
• Develop incentives, such as tax reductions, for land repurposed for agriculture.
• Fast-track permitting for small-scale farms.

Scalability & Future Growth

• Establish 10 urban farms within three years.
• Produce over 50 tons of fresh produce annually.
• Expand to other mid-sized Ohio cities, creating 500-700 new jobs within a decade.

Call to Action

With support from the Vistula Foundation and United Way, Cultivate Toledo is positioned to become a national model for urban agriculture-driven economic growth. We invite stakeholders, policymakers, and investors to join us in creating a more prosperous Toledo.

Contact:
Andrew Newby
Email: andrew@toledospirits.com