Sanctuary Farms

Project Description

Sanctuary Farms is an urban farm located in Southeast Detroit, a few blocks away from the Stellantis Plant. Sanctuary Farms aims to cultivate organic produce, create nutritious compost and provide equitable green spaces to historically disadvantaged communities. They envision a thriving community on the lower eastside of Detroit where people are safe, healthy and connected to their local environment and food by actively being involved in closing the food loop.

Sanctuary Farms plans to
Purchase a mobile air quality monitor and, with installation assistance from the Ecology Center, and rotate the monitor between community selected sites within Southeast Detroit using a portable mounting mast.
Create a map of Eastside satellite sites and a schedule to interchange the air quality monitor.

This project will enhance air quality monitoring in a cost effective manner, extending its reach into various communities, and empowering community members to use the monitoring system in order to collect data that supports their concerns regarding air quality conditions and the resulting health issues they experience.

CAPHE mini-grant funds will be used to purchase monitoring equipment and set up the monitoring sites. CAPHE will assist with synthesizing and interpreting data, and providing materials to increase air quality awareness and mitigation among community members and organizations. The Ecology Center will support the sustainability of the project by maintaining the monitors and helping with community workshops for residents to learn about air quality data and advocacy.