This article in the 5 July 2009 edition of the Detroit Free Press by John Gallagher references Michael Hamm, C.S. Mott professor of sustainable agriculture at MSU and one of the Co-PIs on the USD-SCRI grant that underwrites this LocalFoodSystems.org site.  In the following extract from the article, Dr. Hamm offers a clear rationale for urban and suburban farming as a major business growth opportunity.  While his example is Detroit, the rationale extends to every major metropolitan area in PA, OH, and MI and along the corridors that tie them together into a complex, local food system network.

...virtually all the food consumed by Detroiters  at home or in restaurants comes from distant states and other nations -- fruits and vegetables from California, bananas from South America, and so forth.

But Hamm said Detroit's vast vacant and abandoned spaces offer the possibility of growing more food here -- a lot more.

A recent study conducted by one of his students found that Detroit has suitable vacant
land to grow 76% of the vegetables and 42% of the fruits Detroiters
need for a healthy diet.

That vast potential -- to change the dietary habits of a 900,000-person city by substituting local fruits
and vegetables for products imported from thousands of miles away --
underscores the promise of urban agriculture in Detroit.

"The option is there to think about producing significant amounts of food in
the city," Hamm said. Filling even just a part of the gap in fresh
fruits and vegetables with Detroit-grown products could generate $200
million in sales and at least 5,000 jobs, he added.

"This need not be a marginal activity in a place like Detroit," Hamm
said. "The possibilities for economic development become real."

Opportunities abound!