Politics & Government
US Rep. Marcy Kaptur Talks Urban Farming in Lakewood
The Toledo representative makes a stop at the Root Cafe; files election papers with county board of elections.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) stopped by on her way to file papers with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Monday.
Kaptur, against to represent Ohio’s newly-formed 10th District including Lakewood, met with Root co-owner Julie Hutchison to discuss H.R. 3225, Kaptur’s bill aimed at expanding urban agriculture.
“We’ve put so much focus on subsidies for large farms in rural areas that all that’s left for urban areas are food stamps,” said Kaptur, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee and the Agriculture Committee. “This bill is about re-connecting urban children to their food.”
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Hutchison said Kaptur offered to put her in touch with Toledo GROWS, the community outreach arm of the Toledo Botanical Garden, for more information about community agriculture, including raising hens, honey and tilapia, and using water from raising the fish to grow hydroponic tomatoes and lettuce.
“She also asked me about the biggest challenge for small-business owners, and I said access to capital,” Hutchison said.
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Kaptur also met with Ward 2 Councilman , who has been a vocal supporter of a allowing three families to raise no more than six hens in their backyard.
Bullock said next year’s race will pit Kucinich’s idealism against Kaptur’s pragmatism, for better or worse.
“I hope it doesn’t get portrayed that you can only be an idealist or only someone who gets things done,” Bullock said. “You can have that spirit of compromise and getting things done without selling your morals.”
