The City of Tempe has threatened my business with fines and further enforcement for my efforts to improve the community. I'm being ordered to replace my crops, pollinator flowers, and demo farm with invasive Bermuda grass that was previously there. Attached is a photo of the space behind the shop before we coordinated a cleanup initiative. The area was a dirt patch littered with trash. It was a hot spot for drug dealers and shootings before we started growing plants. I was made aware of this after residents tried to chase us out thinking we were causing trouble behind the building when we first started showing up to clean. I got approval from our landlord and the surrounding residents to place a temporary high tunnel on the property to extend the growing season of our organic, pesticide free, grown from seed plants. I even when through the effort to register the area as a farm recognized by USDA. The plants we grow at NAMA are used to support local schools and community gardens through our NAMA garden grant. We use the micro-farm to demo to kids that it's possible to grow food in native soil without additives. Petition: We, the undersigned, strongly support the preservation and continued operation of the NAMA microfarm and its temporary high tunnel, located at 2535 E University Dr. STE3 Tempe, Az 85288. 
This urban agriculture initiative has transformed a formerly neglected, littered area into a thriving, pesticide-free, organic green space. It provides fresh, healthy plants grown from seed for local schools, community gardens, and families while also serving as a hands-on educational resource for children and adults alike.   
Removing the microfarm and high tunnel would not only hinder local access to organic food and agricultural education, but it would reverse the environmental and social improvements this project has brought to the site. We urge the City of Tempe to recognize the value of this grassroots effort and work with NAMA to find a path forward that allows this important work to continue.