Chicago Blogger Featured in New York Times, Time, the Economist, Others

That's tremendous. Congratulations!

You're welcome.

Now, turning to the article itself, I noticed in the NYT comment section people keep going on and on about toxic land (well, and there's that one guy who sees your article as being some sort of New York arrogance, but anyhoo...). Yet, I'm sure groups like Urban Farming have taken this into consideration and have probably already harvested things that haven't killed them. Would you happen to have any data on soil toxicity and whether it's possible that certain agricultural methods could be used to alleviate it?

I don't. I'm guessing most of the land used for urban farming was formerly residential, not industrial, however. I do know there have been concerns about lead contamination in soils and homes in all industrial cities. (I've even read people claim that this explains some of the low educational attainment of people in urban school districts).

The beauty of Detroit, and the real thesis of my piece, is that they don't operate on the precautionary principle. Want to try growing some food? Just do it. It's not like Chicago where you can't do anything until you've done 65 soil borings, gotten 10 different kinds of permits, hearings, etc.

Congratulations!

As for contamination in soils, most people who live in Chicago have no idea how contaminated the soils are, or what brownfields are, or the history of white paint here.
If contamination is a concern, cleaner soil can also be brought in. I've known someone who did this for their residence.

Have you joined my pal & U of C economist-Charlie Whelan?

Making the dismal science of economics & finance comprehensible to Chicagoans is a noble undertaking. Getting a fresh view of Detroit's Rust Belt potential is to be applauded, urbanophile

Thanks for so well representing fellow Windy Citizens in your Internet blogging endeavor!

I've never met Charlie. Interestingly, a good friend of mine is one of his grad students, however. I'd love to connect with him at some point since I've heard nothing but good things about him. My understanding is that he's on sabbatical right now, however.