Even More FOXCONN Jobs

I have no connection to or knowledge of the development plans of FOXCONN, the associated municipalities or developers concerning the FOXCONN campus here in Wisconsin.

For any developers or municipal planners that are eager to cover existing farmlands with housing and commercial, I hope you will read to the end.

Farm to table, local grown and organic produce are in high demand. Farmer’s markets are popping up everywhere like mushrooms after a rain. Farmer’s market numbers are rising dramatically year after year across the country. And what demographic is driving the market for access to unprocessed, natural, fresh food? Millenials.

Public Television’s Nightly Business Report recently covered the growing trend of millenials turning to farming; small scale sustainable farming. Silicon Valley has invested millions in supporting new and innovative agriculture, particularly urban agricultural, systems.

Sustainability is highly valued among our upcoming generations. The transportation of our foods across vast distances is unsustainable. It consumes fossil fuels unnecessarily. The nutritional value of fresh produce drops drastically in direct relation to the time it takes to get to one’s table. Our soils are being depleted by agricultural practices of monoculture and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, further depleting nutritional value. Grains whose genetics are produced in a laboratory have yet to be understood ramifications on health and the ecosystem.

All this and more is driving younger generations away from industrialized agriculture and the foods it produces. Perhaps it is not the agricultural job, but how the agricultural industry is operating that has produced the agricultural worker shortage here in Wisconsin. I see nothing but enthusiasm and dedication in the sustainable farming movement.

But above all when planning new development, emergency preparedness should take precedent. Public safety is in jeopardy in the event of war, terrorist attack or a natural disaster that could disrupt or shut down our transportation system and or power grid. Yes we have plenty of beer and milk here in Wisconsin to sustain ourselves for quite some time, but how will the people of Chicago or New York be fed If no food stuffs are being brought in to stock the grocery store shelves? Where will these citizens go when they run out of food?

Market gardens, organic farms, permaculture orchards, aquaponics, hydroponics and an increasing number of innovative food production techniques are being developed in North America and other regions in a desire to provide local healthy food for all. New small scale highly profitable (in many cases) farms are developing all across the developed world. And who are the majority of these new innovative farmers? Millenials.

What I am proposing is a green/agricultural corridor to be established between Milwaukee county and the Illinois border, between Lake Michigan and I94. Big stretches of this area is still farmland. Dedicating ten square miles to small scale sustainable agriculture would only cover about 30% (maybe less) of the farm/open land presently existing in the described zone. The long term goal would be to create a fresh produce basket for the ever growing surrounding metropolitan area.

From a planning perspective, in regards to FOXCONN’s desire to keep all their suppliers close by, I suggest an option that may be, as far as I am aware, in the works already; a variation of a bus rapid transit corridor to run North to south parallel to the expressway. From General Mitchell Airport to the Kenosha Airport would make up its furthest extents, with continuation of public transit to downtown Milwaukee and to the Chicago Metra System.

But not only buses and emergency vehicles would be allowed. Pre approved cargo transport would be allowed to facilitate manufacturing along the corridor. I am confident bike paths could be worked in easily. No automobiles allowed at all; a completely dedicated corridor to support manufacturing, and to keep industrial development parallel and close to I94.

Well developed north south highways already exist through Racine and Kenosha counties, Highway 31 in particular, east of I94. I propose no more north south road expansion of roadways, and east west corridors to be developed only where they lead directly to I94 access. There is more than enough opportunity for commercial development along existing highly developed roadways and in small towns and crossroad communities.

In regards to flood control, rather than building extensive sewer systems to handle rain runoff, systems that require public maintenance and repair,  development can be designed to absorb any potential flood waters. The lower Fox River floods nearly annually. Some streets in the city of Kenosha flood regularly in heavy thunderstorms. A new approach is required in land development. It is absolutely required to attract millenials, FOXCONN’s target for employment.

The Village Homes Davis, CA, development is an early model for such development, though it was not planned as a farming community. It is a development that promotes community vegetable gardens and vineyards, and the propagation of a large variety and quantity of fruit trees in residential yards. When Davis, CA faced severe flooding Village Homes absorbed the flood waters into its gardens, orchards and stands of trees. This residential development maintains a density similar to surrounding developments. Such developments were lobbied against in California by the real estate lobby as people living there never moved.

Do we want nothing but a concrete jungle from Milwaukee to Chicago east of I94? I took a wrong turn in Chicago once. They do not even line all their streets with trees; nothing but pavement. Though our upcoming generations may have no desire to care for vast swatches of manicured lawn, if they desire a residence outside the city at all, they desire property with a purpose. Even if it is merely dedicated to the preservation of wetlands or property covered in timber that can clean the air and be harvested to preserve outlying pristine forests.

Development along the lines I suggest can draw workers form all across the country, even California, or especially so. It will foster restaurants that can serve some of the highest quality food in the world to not only the executive guild, but all. An urban agrarian development will refresh our air, rejuvenate our soils, and make the four season popular again.

Development that supports and allows families to thrive, development that plants family roots deep whereas they do not want to move, developments that support healthy work ethics appear to me to be the kind of development that produces workers any industry would fight over. Development that promotes healthy living and eating lowers demands on our healthcare system; an employer’s bottom line.

Interacting with nature, working the land, has been shown to be rehabilitative for some, therapeutic for those suffering from trauma, and simply healthy for the development of our young people. Scores of YouTubers are living such a life and the one overwhelmingly common statement made by this group is, “This is how we want to raise my children.”

Farms? Yes, property tax issues aside, I propose residential development on land that will keep its agricultural potential, whether that be land remaining zoned as agriculture or through municipal ordinance.

High rotation market garden farmers across the world can gross $100,000 on a quarter acre. Considering one can own, rent or borrow the land, and that there is access to water, this figure can be reached within three to five years by a properly motivated astute business person with an initial equipment and supply investment of approximately $7,000 to $15,000. Yes, $100,000 gross on a quarter acre. Five acres alone can underpin a thriving organic farm or permaculture orchard, supporting varied lot sizes of one plus acre to five be planned.

Markets for the farm’s produce? Farmer’s markets, local grocers including Sendik's (Sendik's Fresh2Go) Metcalf's and Metro Mart are all-in with the farm to table, local grown movement. Not to mention Whole Foods now owned by Amazon, with a distribution center right here, a company looking to deliver produce directly to your doorstep, as do others such as Pea Pod. Kwik Trip sells produce and runs their own farms. Restaurants from Milwaukee to Chicago, and even FOXCONN cafeterias would all be in the market for high quality fresh grown fruits and vegetables.

Some may argue that the markets cannot support small scale, quality produce farming as prices will drop as the supply increases. People in the field will tell you, yes, the prices may drop a bit but the demand continues to rise as more people seek quality nutritionally dense produce. Also both low tech and high tech equipment is continually being developed to increase production. Why? Because there is a demand for that equipment; in other words there are a whole lot of people already farming at this scale and quality. The paper pot trans-planter is one of many examples; reducing a week’s work to less than a day. Correspondingly, rising demand for tools and equipment, an item such as a greenhouse, produces competition and lower tool and equipment costs.

First and foremost the need is to draw workers to the region for the FOXCONN manufacturing boom. I believe development focused on sustainable living will be that draw. I am not propose artificially establishing hundreds of small farms in the proposed target zone, I am proposing creating the potential for such business development through planning. It is a vision that may take a generation or more to come to fruition in its entirety. As families grow, a stay at home parent will be empowered to delve into such endeavors, if they desire, as their spouse works full time in this new manufacturing paradise. The markets are here. The demand definitely exists. The trend for small scale sustainable farming and living is rising.

The small scale farm, where the soil is treated as a living organism, organic practices are held in high regard and nutritional density is of paramount importance is the wave of the future. The number of such farms will continue to increase into perpetuity.

Up and coming families recognize the great benefits technology of the highest caliber brings. They also observe a tendency for people to become lost in the delusion of a virtual world that lacks true human interaction and accountability. They yearn for a life that is true for all, a society that understands we are accountable to the people and world around us, if we are to survive and prosper.

Related Videos

Joel Salatin speaks at Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZgANtcXm8

Geoff Lawton on Urban Agriculture and Village Homes Davis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8xUIncH9t0&list=PLOq3hRD2l1WyvUzuV7P0Owr_yNatsTtAG

Curtis Stone the Urban Farmer with Diego Footer on the ten most innovative small farms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ATgiz1wNw&list=PL0-eENDJNcJCw_TIE6mOgJO3HSS5KuqSZ&index=44

A five acre profitable permaculture orchard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3riW_yiCN5E

Part time small farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRlmPRLUPwk&list=PL0-eENDJNcJCw_TIE6mOgJO3HSS5KuqSZ&index=37

Expanded View

There are 640 acres in a square mile. A one mile by ten mile area zoned agriculture with an average lot size of four acres creates 1,600 residences with the potential of an equal number of secondary residences. That is the potential for over 1,000 independent small businesses. Most farms of this scale, each innovating to find their own niche and path to profitability, are larger than a quarter acre and hire full and part time workers.

There is three times that area in open land and farms within the parameters I have given.

Once a critical mass in number of farms and their production is achieved, drawing the eyes of restaurateurs and grocers, home owners in these agricultural residential developments, resident would be free to opt to grow one or two crops a year as a secondary income. Tens of thousands of dollars of secondary income could be collected with a minimal, yet at times concentrated, use of One’s time.

An APP called “Crop Swap” allows one to post what they have available and negotiate a price for their produce. One could include the harvesting of the said crop in one’s proposal because working at FOXCONN they don’t have the time for the concentrated hours at harvest.

Appears a bit altruistic? Consider that the products not only hold demand on the market but by the growers themselves.

My peach tree has given us delicious fruit for over a decade now. Planting five peach trees a year, reaching near 100 peach trees after twenty years and continually planting to maintain 100 productive trees, on less than one acre one can produce three tons of peaches. Make those dwarf trees, one can grow over 1000 trees on an acre and produce 20 tons of fruit or more.

Of course varying your fruit trees for different harvest dates, and expanding to five acres in permaculture fashion the potential for 100 tons of fruit is possible. That is 200,000 pounds of various fruits along with, if one desires, berries and nuts. Memberships can be sold for ‘you pick’ harvest that can bring well over $1 per pound average return. Or a middle man can harvest and market all the produce; harvesting the fruit one day and having the fresh produce in grocery stores the same or next day.

Greenhouse growing could produce crops year round, along with indoor aquaponic and hydroponic operations. The micro environment created by proximity to Lake Michigan and a surrounding thermal mas of urban and industrial development also allows a longer growing system.

Old urban industrial structures are often converted into indoor aquaponic and hydroponic growing facilities. Micro greens and wheat grass are best produced indoors.

Separating food waste in one’s trash is a trend in some parts of the country. It is recycled in worm farms that produce a high quality natural fertilizer to rebuild starving soils. These systems and businesses already exist along with other related business models. The number of existing connected businesses is expansive.

Such a sustainable and visionary social development  will draw workers from all over the country. It is a philosophy of living that will also attract craftsman of every type. I see blacksmiths, potters and glass blowers a match for such enlightened citizens.

In the near future I hope to write a day in the life of one such individual living in a society this region may become under such a vision; a world of people living real lives integrated with the most cutting edge technologies.