Urban farmer Thomas Jackson today showed off three newly tilled parcels in central Toledo that he hopes will satisfy city demands that he clear wood chips off his properties.

Mr. Jackson was convicted of a nuisance misdemeanor for refusing to remove the wood chips piled on vacant housing parcels in the city’s Auburndale neighborhood, near Monroe Street and Auburn Avenue.

The city said the wood chips were creating a nuisance in appearance and with odors and rodents. Mr. Jackson said the wood chips are part of a process of turning parcels into productive urban organic agriculture.

Today, he showed journalists the three parcels where the composted wood chips have been tilled in with compost.

“I’m out here today to show everyone the wood chips have been basically broken down in the soil,” Mr. Jackson said. He added he used a 40-inch tiller over the previous two weekends to turn over the composted wood chips and said the ground is ready for planting, along with some compost that he purchased. He plans to grow mustard greens, collard greens, peppers, onions, and other vegetables.

“I’ve got 800 starter plants in a Bowling Green greenhouse,” Mr. Jackson said. “We’ll be planting the first of May or the next full moon. I’m praying that this satisfies the city and the court.”

He said he invited the city prosecutor, Joseph Howe, who’s been handling his case in Toledo Municipal Court to view the properties and determine whether he is in compliance.

Mr. Jackson was accused of failing to remove mulch piled on vacant city lots he owns at 1446 Macomber St., 1505 Milburn Ave., and 2325 Swiler Dr.

Housing Court Judge C. Allen McConnell on March 31 ordered the City of Toledo to remove wood chips from the three lots during the week of April 16 because Mr. Jackson had not taken care of the issue as previously ordered.

An answering machine at the city’s Division of Building Inspection said the office is closed today for the Good Friday holiday.

The case has pitted some of Mr. Jackson’s neighbors and the city inspection department against Mr. Jackson and his supporters in the Green Party and the city’s urban agriculture movement.

Leona Fox, who lives a few doors from Mr. Jackson, said the composting operation has filled the air with odors and dust that sometimes keep her in her house. She doesn’t believe Mr. Jackson knows anything about farming.

“If he would have gardens as he says he is it would be fine. Believe me, he’s not,” Mrs. Fox said.

Tony Ellison, co-owner of Macomber Market, across Auburn from Mr. Jackson, said he’s so impressed with what he’s done to beautify the neighborhood that a street should be named after him.

“He’s bringing improvement to the neighborhood, most definitely,” Mr. Ellison said. He added if there are any rats about they’re living in the vacant building directly across Auburn from him, not the composting tree mulch. He acknowledged that composting egg shells and coffee grounds produce a smell, but said people should “look at the bigger picture.”

“It’s a process, and that process takes time,” Mr. Ellison said.

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.

First Published April 14, 2017, 3:57 p.m.