News Summary
HiO Farm in Detroit is leading the urban agriculture scene by providing fresh, specialty produce to Takoi Restaurant. Co-owned by Noelle Stull and her husband, Brad Greenhill, the farm utilizes a closed-loop system for sustainable farming. This collaboration enhances the farm-to-table dining experience while promoting community education on food sustainability. HiO Farm’s commitment to high-value crops addresses food sovereignty and economic sustainability in Detroit’s vibrant food landscape.
Detroit’s HiO Farm and Takoi Restaurant: A Hub for Urban Agriculture and Unique Dining
Detroit’s urban agriculture scene is thriving, with HiO Farm at the forefront of pioneering fresh produce and farm-to-table dining. Co-owned by Noelle Stull, HiO Farm is nestled in Core City and spans an acre, where it produces a variety of crops, including peppers, lettuce, and herbs. The farm not only supplies these fresh ingredients to Takoi, a modern Thai restaurant owned by Stull’s husband, Brad Greenhill, but also embodies a unique approach to urban farming.
Founded in 2020, HiO Farm has evolved into a closed-loop system that prioritizes sustainable practices while also providing specialty produce, such as Hispi cabbage and Thai peppers, that are often hard to find in local markets. Stull and her team, consisting of three to four members, dedicate their efforts to cultivating the land and ensuring that their harvest aligns seamlessly with the specific culinary needs of Takoi, which opened as a food truck in 2014 before becoming a full-fledged restaurant in Corktown in 2016.
Harvesting and Dining Innovation
The farm plays a vital role in supporting Takoi’s unique menu. Communication between the farm and the restaurant is essential, as it helps the kitchen staff prepare for specific harvests and craft recipes that showcase the freshest ingredients. The farm produces various crops, including Anaheim peppers, eggplants, and Bing tomatoes, especially during peak season. Stull’s adaptability to agricultural challenges, such as fluctuating weather and pest pressures, influences the restaurant’s offerings, enriching the dining experience through seasonal adjustments.
HiO Farm also supplies produce to another restaurant owned by Greenhill, Spiedo, located in Ann Arbor. This Mediterranean-style eatery highlights the versatility of the farm’s crops while allowing the culinary team to innovate based on what is available during each growing season.
A Family and Community-Oriented Approach
HiO Farm operates for ten months of the year, while the months of January and February are allotted for recovery and preparation, ensuring high-quality produce for the following season. Transitioning to agriculture without prior experience, Stull received support from mentors Andy Chae and Amy Eckert of Fisheye Farms, who guided her with agricultural knowledge and practices. Savannah McCarthy-Johnson, known as Stull’s “farming sous chef,” assists in managing the farm’s day-to-day operations.
Distinctly, some days on the farm involve Stull’s daughters enjoying the outdoor space, accentuating the family-centric and community-oriented ethos of HiO Farm. The Core City area is witnessing an influx of urban agricultural efforts, with multiple farms competing in the realm of local produce, thereby contributing to a rich food scene.
Detroit’s Urban Agriculture Movement
As urban farms like HiO continue to emerge, they play a crucial role in addressing food sovereignty and educating the community on sustainable practices. The urban farming movement in Detroit also faces challenges, like land availability and adverse climate conditions that can affect growing processes. However, the emphasis on growing high-value crops is considered essential for economic sustainability in this sector, ensuring that urban farming remains profitable and contributes positively to the local economy.
Greenhill expresses an intent to expand HiO Farm’s reach within the community through initiatives such as cooking classes and private dinners, aiming to further integrate the urban farm experience into the local lifestyle. As Detroit’s urban agriculture landscape grows, its resilience and collaborative spirit reflect a dynamic effort to reclaim space for community use and foster a sense of belonging among residents.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News: HiO Farm to Restaurant Table
- Metro Times: Discover Detroit Urban Farms
- Free Press: Urban Farming and Food Sovereignty
- Bridge Detroit: Get Gardening Detroit
- Farmonaut: Empowering Detroit Urban Gardens
- Wikipedia: Urban Agriculture
- Google Search: Urban Agriculture Detroit
- Google Scholar: Detroit Urban Agriculture
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Farming
- Google News: Detroit Urban Farming
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
