How Would People Utilize Land in Today’s Society?
With spring drawing near, “Asked on the Line” conducted 27 random informal interviews with men in blue and outside community members, and asked, “You are given charge of land, money and resources to plant and grow anything you want for any purpose. What would you grow?”
About 44 percent would grow fruit.
Reginald Hola would grow pineapples, Nelson Erick would grow oranges, Desjuan Terri would grow apples, Kamal Hill would grow grapes, and Tristan Jones would grow pomegranates.
“I like grapes and it would be profitable,” said Hill. Kevin Carr insisted on growing more than one fruit. He would grow cantaloupes, tomatoes, and watermelon.
About 56 percent would grow vegetables or grains.
The most popular choice was corn.
Lawrence Romero, Quinton Walker, Chance Edwards, Orlando Harris, and Zakee Hutchinson were among those who would grow corn. “I would grow corn for food and for ethanol,” said Hutchinson.
“I would grow a specialty product-something almost no one is growing”
Centerforce employee Jason Walsh said, “I would grow corn to feed the community and also grow coffee as a cash crop.”
Floyd Palmer would grow wheat, Eddie Griffin would grow mustard greens, Clarence Long would grow cabbage, and Tim Thompson would grow spinach.
Edwards said, “I would grow corn and hemp. Corn is multifunctional and has subsidies with the government.” He would grow hemp to weave it into clothing. “Hemp can be grown anywhere and is durable.”
Syyen Hong would grow Bamboo. “There is a market for making furniture with it, and the Asian community eats the shoots,” said Hong.
More than 60 percent would grow something to sell or trade. The rest would grow food to feed their communities free of charge. “I would grow mustard greens, because of the nutritional value and because it is lacking in the inner cities.” said Griffin
Literacy Coordinator Tom Bolema said, “I would grow a specialty product – something almost no one is growing. I would research it heavily and learn about its market. Something like a rare orchid or an exotic nut. It would be the most expensive crop that can be grown and sold.”
