Roughly one-third of food grown on U.S. farms never gets eaten. For many Detroiters, food insecurity is a daily concern. Federal cuts to SNAP benefits are coming, and they are expected to hit low-income households in Detroit especially hard. That’s on top of the already-limited access to fresh produce, meat and dairy.

But Detroit’s farming story runs deep. Black farmers have long helped the city feed itself, before and after settlers colonized the area. The historic Black Bottom neighborhood — which was razed to make way for freeways — was named for its rich soil. Now, Detroit is one step closer to adding city-wide composting to its urban agriculture story.

Last week, the city launched a pilot composting program with openings for the 200 people to sign up. Demand was so high that people who wish to sign up are now joining hundreds of others on a wait list. That enthusiasm is good news for proponents of urban agriculture in Detroit.

The City of Detroit’s Director of Sustainability, Tepfirah Rushdan, and the city’s Deputy Director of Urban Agriculture, Patrice Brown, joined The Metro to discuss the enthusiasm for the program, and the future of urban agriculture and sustainability in Detroit.

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National Pollinator Week — held annually in June — is a time dedicated to informing the public about the benefits and struggles of pollinators.

In Michigan, pollinators are essential for crops like apples, blueberries and more. They produce around $1 billion in crops each year for the state, according to a collaborative study between Wayne State and Michigan State universities.

Although pollinators provide many benefits, their populations are shrinking because of human activity. Insecticides kill off swaths of the bee population, and pollinators in general also deal with habitat loss and intense heat waves. 

One of the best ways to help save bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators is planting a tree that will house and feed them for years to come.

The need for trees

Trees provide more than just flowers and nectar. According to Michigan-based Master Arborist Luke Brunner, several bee species depend on tree leaves for nourishment during their early stages. They also provide fruit that birds and other pollinators eat, as well as shelter.

Some of the native trees Brunner recommends to plant on behalf of pollinators include: 

• Eastern redbud
• Tulip tree
• Crabapple
• Hawthorn
• Northern Catalpa
• American basswood
• Black tupelo

These trees range in size and provide different benefits. Brunner notes that the Black tupelo isn’t seen much in Michigan these days. Its range lies mostly to the south, but it notably provides early spring blooms for pollinators to gather nectar from.

Right plant, right place

Brunner encourages planters to think about the size of the tree they’re placing years in the future to make sure they pick an appropriate space for it. Knowing the height of the species when it’s mature will help determine a good placement so that it can be enjoyed by people and pollinators for years to come.

There is a simple alternative for those who don’t have the room or ability to care for a tree but still want to help pollinators: put native flower and grass seeds in a pot and let them grow. 

“Just one square foot will hold a lot of flowers and you can put that on your porch, on your apartment balcony, in your backyard, just about anywhere,” Brunner said. “If you can do your part to plant some wildflowers or a small tree or something to bring them into your yard, it’s really going to help the environment.” 

This story is part of WDET’s ongoing series, The Detroit Tree Canopy Project.