As the city of Roanoke decides what to do with the old Countryside property, the focus remains on 12 acres. Plans for an urban farm have generated excitement from supporters of sustainable agriculture, and complaints from neighbors who fear the effects of a chicken farm.
More than five years have passed since the city bought the property, and a year and a half since the Countryside Golf Course closed. Proposals have come and gone, but the debate about its future lingers.
The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op sees the promise of more local farm products, and an urban farm that would help to educate people where their food comes from.
John Bryant is the Co-Op's Marketing Director. "There will be a farmers market right there in the neighborhhood, so people can come around and get fresh produce throughout the week, and also have something that the neighborhood wants to look at, but also something that the city can be proud of."
Some residents toured a similar farm in Floyd county last week. While the trip might have helped some residents accept the proposal, others like Tim Glover are still concerned with the potential effects. "The sight, the sound and the smell of the chickens, the 400 chickens. No one knows what that's going to do to our lifestyle here. Nobody knows what it's going to do to the property value."
A vote by the neighborhood association after the farm trip showed that strong opposition remains. The Co-Op says it wants to work with the neighborhood. During three sessions this week it has invited opinions from anyone who's interested in the project.
