GALESBURG, Ill. — The city of Galesburg is helping a local nonprofit with an urban agriculture project.
At a city council meeting on Monday, March 4, the council approved a $25,000 urban agriculture grant for the Lipanda Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo and other French-speaking African nations.
The city agreed to lease three vacant lots at the corner of Avenue B and West 1st St., which is on the southwest side of town close to Henderson Street. The land will be leased for $1 per year, with the plan to build two "high-tunnel structures." Community members will be able to rent plots for $20 a month.
Gogo Kupa from the Lipanda Foundation said the focus is to offer workshops and teach kids about farming.
"Our kids living in apartments and all that stuff, they don't get a chance to learn about how they can plant something, or they can bring something from the farm to the table," Kupa said.
The farm is also a chance to share a bit of Kupa's roots; she was a farmer before immigrating. The group wants to experiment with growing African crops like peanuts, cassava root and chilis.
She added that the Lipanda Foundation has been working with the University of Illinois Extension since 2023 on exploring an agriculture project, and that this garden would be a chance for them to research what African crops can grow in the area.
"It's very important to surround ourselves with people who have the knowledge and resources," Kupa said.
Some neighbors like Kim Skaggs like the garden but said the city should consider safety as well and talk with neighbors more before considering such a project.
"I just worry that if we got more traffic coming through here that, something's gonna happen. They don't pay attention to the yield signs," Skaggs said.
Skaggs was at the council meeting, sharing her opinion with the board. 5th ward council member Heather Acerra said she had visited the site and would keep an eye on how things are developing.
"If you find it to be cumbersome, or a crazy amount of traffic, keep the city informed, staff informed," Acerra said to Skaggs in her closing remarks at the meeting.
Kupa added that the garden will be a chance to also donate some food, and if they have success with African crops, use the produce in a new African restaurant in the future.
"Just having the chance to participate in a workshop or training, or whatever will be provided for education," Kupa said.