As the bus slowly rolls to a stop in a rough and tumble looking part of downtown Detroit Michigan I wonder if we are in the right place. My itinerary says Hantz Farms, but all I see is an empty lot with some trees. Our illustrious trip leader stands up and gets off the bus so we all follow suit. Looking a little closer I see that all the trees are younger and have all been planted in nice, neat rows, but I’m still questioning our location. A quick introduction to a man standing on the sidewalk and we learn that this is part of Hantz Farms. A revitalization project that is cleaning up the land in the city of Detroit and making it prosperous. This quickly becomes my absolute favorite stop on my Detroit Agriculture Tour.
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Mike Score, president of Hantz Farms, welcomes us to the corner of Dorchester & McClellan Streets and starts to tell us the story of how Hantz started this project. Over the past years the city of Detroit has acquired thousands of properties due to back taxes, property abandonment and foreclosed homes. These properties were left unattended and became overgrown, filled with trash and had decrepit homes on them. Needless to say, that isn’t a good look for any city.
PLANTING A TREE FARM IN DETROIT MICHIGAN
Hantz Farms decided they wanted to do something about it so they set out to work a deal with the city of Detroit to buy the properties, clean them up and put them to good use. Sounds like an easy plan, right? Wrong. The city wasn’t a fan of Hantz’s plan. They didn’t want to give up the property because one day Detroit might make a comeback and the property might have actual value. Someday. In the meantime, the locals that still live in those neighborhoods have to look at derelict homes and land. Not cool, Detroit, not cool at all.
After negotiating with the city for way too long and to the tune of about $4.5 MILLION an agreement was finally reached. Hantz would pay the taxes due on the properties, tear down 50 derelict structures, clean up the land, remove all the overgrown brush, and plant 15,000 trees across the properties they were acquiring. They asked for two years to complete the project. Not only did they meet their goals, they exceeded it. Well before the two years was up, Hantz Farms had planted 25,000 trees, removed 60 structures, and removed brush and trash from 2,000 properties, the total number of properties that was finally agreed upon.
I asked Mr. Score the goal of planting tree farm in Detroit and he said it is to “make the neighborhoods livable again.”
They are cleaning up some of the poorest areas of Detroit and, in doing so, they are creating a sense of community. Neighbors to the properties make sure there is no littering or trash dumping on tree farm land helping keep their neighborhood clean. Hantz Farms continues to invest in the community and has started working with Southeastern school to bring in inspirational speakers to encourage kids to get outside into the neighborhood and look for entrepreneurial opportunities. An annual tree planting event is held that brings the neighbors to the properties to help plant trees and then attend a street party afterwards.
To date, Hantz Farms has planted approximately 25,000 trees. The trees, Swamp Oaks, White Birch, Sugar Maples, Burr Oaks, will eventually be sold or replanted on other properties. For Hantz Farms this is a long-term project and not a get rich quick scheme. They are in it for the long haul, bringing life back to parts of the city that others have forgotten.
Stepping back on the bus I’m a little ashamed that I haven’t done more in my own community. They are planting trees in Detroit Michigan, trees. If they can clean up neighborhoods and plant trees (such an interesting farm choice) in Detroit, what can I be doing to make a change?
Hantz Farms is a great reminder that from small acts great things grow. They are an inspiration to stop looking at roadblocks and to find a way to make things better. The possibilities are endless. Hantz Farms is fortunate enough to have a nice bank account to work with, but so much can be done without a big checkbook. Small acts can make a difference. It can be as simple as planting a tree, growing vegetables to share with neighbors or cleaning up litter on your street. Simple acts that do so much.
What can you do in 2016 to make a difference in your community?
I love this Deb. It’s been fun to see first hand how Detroit is revitalizing itself again. I am so excited for the future of this area.
Nice article it’s great to know that Detroit is making a comeback
Deb, This is the sweetest post ever! I love that Hantz Farms is making a difference.
I’ve never been to Detroit. I’ve driven HOURS around it to avoid the city. The obvious effort to revitalize and bring the city back to life has been an intriguing story to watch from afar. I’m actually interested in going to see the changes happening in this once-proud city.
Kudos to all making a difference in Detroit!
Karen, Come for a visit and I’ll take you to all my favorite Detroit places…it will be a grand time!
Fran, Right? I love that it is finally becoming a city I can be proud of.
Mary, We should meet up in Detroit this summer….let’s make it happen!
We need more people who dream of making our cities better with their businesses. This is an inspiration. I plan to spread the word to all my accounts.
Barbara, I couldn’t agree more. It feels like everyone thinks it’s someone else’s problem. However, it’s time to take ownership of community issues and find ways to implement change. Thank you so much for sharing.
It is so great to see that Hantz Farms is doing this. Imagine what could happen if more businesses and people got involved and tried to help their community.
We need more people like this in the world. If everyone tried to make the world a better place, it would be!
I am glad to see Detroit going through the natural upgrade process.
Trees are so important to our atmosphere as well as aesthetics.
oh my goodness, I love that little tree farm. Besides the viability of the neighborhood, he’s doing the environment a great favor!
What an awesome way to help communities in Detroit. I actually read not too long ago about people who live near more trees being healthier and happier!
Wow! What a great idea to revitalize the neighborhood. Kudos to him!
I love when people care enough about their city and their neighborhoods to take action. Trees are so vital for life, so a project like this is a great place to start.
Hantz sounds like a great man with a wonderful vision for Detroit! I love this idea.
This sounds like an amazing project. I would love to see this in person. Sounds like Detroit is going to be absolutely gorgeous!
I love the idea and the visions this man has. I would have never thought to plant a tree farm in the downtown area of where I live!
Love this. I’ve heard so many things about Detroit, I haven’t a clue about all of it but know this is much needed.
I was in Detroit a few years ago, and it was heart-wrenching to see such an important city struggle. I’m happy to hear there is progress being made.
This is a nice idea to grow a tree farm. Trees bring oxygen and life and this looks like a great area to do this to revive the area.
Glad to see such foreword thinking… Bu the time the city needs the lots those trees will be ready to move into improved other houses making them home… Always wanted to have a shrub farm for same reason..there always building something and want matching green trees and shrubs…congrats and best wishes from an old Detroiter…. Carry. On…