When you think of Dorchester you probably think concrete jungle rather than sprawling farms or even green gardens,  but that may be changing soon.

 Boston’s Urban Agriculture Project is considering taking over several vacant lots in South Dorchester and turning them into urban farms. The crops grown there would be sold in the city and given to food pantries, homeless shelters and needy families. ReVision Urban Farm and City Growers would run the farms, which would be located on Tucker Street and Glenway Street. Final approval is pending and would require the Zoning Commission to give the project the okay.

This is a great idea and I hope it is approved. Not only will the farms provide nutritious food for people who might not be able to afford it, but they will beautify the neighborhoods they’re in. Who wouldn’t rather look at a lush green farm than an ugly vacant lot or building? Urban farms are something cities all across the country should look into. As a result of the housing collapse and shaky economy, vacant lots and building dot many urban landscapes. Turning these into urban farms could create jobs and pump some life into local economies. The food grown could be sold to local markets and restaurants. For those farms in cold climates, they could add Christmas trees and pumpkins to their crops for cold weather sales. These farms would also provide tremendous educational opportunities to inner city children and help improve the environment. What’s not to love?