The Urban Farm Manifesto is a 20-page comic-zine with essay elements that chronicles some of my surreal experiences during the last three years of growing in the wilds of western Cleveland; and then combines it with socio-cultural commentary on food sovereignty versus the corporate food system, the politics of local food, and other seemingly disparate topics like “the Small-Mart Revolution” and permits. It’s about the modern aesthetics of urban farming. I liken it to the Four Elements of Hip Hop.

Justin Husher is the man behind the Urban Farm Manifesto. His experience and supporters have already ensured crowdfunding success on RocketHub. His original take on food and nutrition is innovative and empowering.

The inspiration for the Urban Farm Manifesto came from an array of sources. First has been a lifetime goal of mine to write a book. When I first started urban farming a few years ago, I had been gardening and blogging about it for a year. When I transitioned into urban farming, I felt as I developed I would have ample tales to tell from the experience. I was right. Some are good, some are bad, but that's the story of life.

Second, I visited Portland for the first time in years over Thanksgiving and went to the indie bookstore Mecca, Powell's. They have an entire wall dedicated to small and urban ag. And it occurred to me that it seems like the perfect time for an Urban Farm Manifesto. So much so, that I thought if I don't do it now, then somebody else will do it soon enough.

Third and furthermore, after browsing much of that wall at Powell’s, I found a dire lack of Midwestern representation in the literature. It’s all coming out of California, Oregon, Austin, these places that never really get that cold, where radical movements are expected. But a farm in Cleveland?! That’s kind of outrageous. The Urban Farm Manifesto is about aesthetics and is devoid of place, but it proudly comes from the Midwest.

Crowdfunding?

My experience crowdfunding has been awesome! I just read Michael F. Shuman’s Small-Mart Revolution, which is a couple years older than crowdfunding. He doesn’t directly ever suggest anything as specific as crowdfunding.But let’s face it, crowdfunding decentralizes power and money from the old heirarchy, and then subsequently empowers individuals with it instead. That’s very “small mart.” I’m stoked to be part of a new breed of American entrepreneurs, who are bucking antiquated, played-out funding systems.

My supporters have been great, and it’s really amazing to see where the generosity comes from. There’s been some surprises in terms of who has and hasn’t, and how technology adverse some thirty years olds can be. I appreciate all of my supporters, especially the total strangers that obviously have some faith in me despite never having met me. And of course, I’m still waiting for that first Cleveland Policy Person contribution, but I’m not holding my breath.

It blows my mind that people are funding science and PhDs on RocketHub.

Advice?

To any future crowdfunders, bear in mind that crowdfunding is a lot like a grant in the sense that it’s not “free money.” It’s work, just like anything else in life.

Make sure to have a wide variety of reasonably priced rewards that are in everybody’s price range. I went from $5-$1,000, and my biggest single contribution (so far) was $250. This crowdfunding stuff is a people’s movement; so the people have to be able to afford it.

Have a core group of folks that are ready to contribute as soon as the campaign starts running to create a feeling of critical mass and trust.

Thanks Justin! The RocketHub team is very excited by your project. Support the 'Manifesto' - here.

Vlad