In a world where concrete jungles dominate our urban landscapes, the concept of cultivating sustenance within our cities may seem like a distant dream. However, as the celestial dance of progress and sustainability reaches new heights, urban farming has emerged as a thriving revolution. Welcome to “Harvesting Cities: An Urban Farming 101,” where we delve into the mesmerizing world where skyscrapers and fields of green seamlessly intertwine. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the ins and outs, the triumphs and challenges, of transforming our metropolises into bountiful oases of food production. So grab your gardening gloves, indulge your curiosity, and let us navigate the peculiar realm of urban farming - where the vibrancy of city life meets the tranquility of nature, sprouting a whole new chapter in the history of agriculture.
Growing Food in the Concrete Jungle: The Rise of Urban Farming
Urban Farming has been steadily on the rise, becoming a viable option for people living in cities to grow their own food.Living in urban environments can be a challenge for cultivating crops, due to limited vacant land and competing construction for said space, but with more people beginning to embrace Urban Farming, the trend has seen an uptick.Here’s an Urban Farming 101 to get you started:
Location, Location, Location
Finding the right area is the key to successful urban farming.You want to make sure your potential space has good sunlight and soil, and easy access to water for irrigation.In the case of container gardening, having access to a shared balcony or community rooftop garden is also an option.
What to Grow?
Having limited space for urban farming typically means that you’ll be growing vegetables in a smaller area, and it may also be viable to keep a small number of chickens or other animals for egg production.Start off simple, and use vertical gardening to maximize the available space.Herbs and other foliage tend to do well in urban spaces, and are a surefire way to get started with urban farming.
Water & Maintenance
Urban soil can often be poor when it comes to fertility, and may require additional nutrients to be added in the form of fertilizers and composting.It is also important to establish a regular a watering schedule, and use mulch or other materials to conserve moisture and heat.Regular maintenance is key for city gardens, as pests and plant diseases may be more prevalent.
Time To Harvest!
- Although it may take a while before you’ll get to experience the fruits of your labour, patience is key.
- Regularly check plants for diseases, as prevention is always better than curing.
- Harvest produce when ripe, and make use of the bounty.
Harvesting your own produce is a rewarding experience, and Urban Farming is an excellent way to get your hands dirty and start growing your own food in the city.
Breaking Down the Basics: Understanding Urban Farming
Scientists state that by 2050, an estimated two thirds of the planet’s population will live in cities. Urban farming has emerged as an innovative response to this incredible future population growth. But what are the basics of an urban farm and what potential benefits can this type of agriculture bring to our cities?
Let’s start by defining urban farming: alsoknown as urban agriculture, it is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in urban areas, solely or in combination with elements of traditional rural agriculture.
Types of Urban Farming
- Vertical gardens: Growing edible plants on walls or buildings they helps to reduce the use of water and other resources as the soil is reduced or replaced altogether.
- Rooftop gardens: Using roofs to grow food, allowing to promote healthier eating habits and adds sustainability to the diet.
- Aquaponics: This method combines the cultivation of plants and fish in order to maintain the environment of each.
- Container gardens: It uses small areas, as it requires fewer resources to build and maintain.
Benefits of Urban Farming
- Improving access to fresh food: Urban farms provide its local community with fresh, affordable and access to organic food.
- Boost local economy: Urban agriculture encourages local businesses to grow and to hire local workers.
- Cleaner environment: Urban farmers help to reduce the carbon footprint, as they use fewer resources for transportation.
- Promotion of diversity: Urban farming can help farmers diversify their crops and improve the quality of available food for their communities.
Urban farming provides a host of potential benefits for cities, but it also has its challenges. Space, soil, water, and resource shortages can be difficult to overcome for many urban farmers.
From Rooftops to Vacant Lots: Finding Suitable Spaces for Urban Farming
Harnessing the Power of Cities: Urban Farming is rapidly gaining traction in the farming world and is becoming increasingly popular. By taking advantage of available space, from rooftop gardens to vacant lots, and repurposing them, urban farmers are helping to make cities a little more sustainable. Here we take a look at the basics of urban farming, from where to start to the rewards of growing your own food.
Finding Suitable Space: Rooftops, balconies, and vacant lots are some of the typical spaces used for urban farming. Speak to your city or local government officials for advice on zoning laws as well as restrictions on farming. Some localities offer incentives for the use of vacant spaces such as tax breaks or grants, so be sure to check these out too.
- Adequate sunlight is a key requirement for successful urban farming
- Make sure you adhere to local zoning laws when selecting a space
- Look into local grants and incentives to make use of vacant spaces
Getting Started: Make use of suitable containers and planters to create your urban garden – any container has the potential to turn into a micro farm. Then, choose your crop. Opt for greens and small vegetables as they are quick to harvest and can produce multiple crops in a single season. Make sure to keep your plants healthy and well watered; use natural pest control solutions and organic fertilizer.
- Any container can turn into a micro farm
- Select quickly harvestable greens and vegetables
- Ensure your plants have adequate sunlight, water, and a healthy soil environment
The Rewards of Urban Farming: In addition to the obvious benefit of being able to enjoy and share the bounty of your labor, there are other tangible rewards of urban farming. One of the most enjoyable aspects of urban agriculture is that it encourages people to connect with their food and take responsibility for their own health and well-being. Moreover, it saves money on groceries and lets you use the freshest ingredients. Finally, urban farming can also provide a much-needed boost to the surrounding community, adding green to otherwise sterile environments.
- Connection with your food
- Save money on groceries
- Provide a much-needed boost to the local community
Digging Deeper: Exploring Different Types of Urban Farming Systems
- Aquaponics: Starting with one of the most widely known forms of urban farming, aquaponics utilizes fish, nearby bodies of water, and the cycle of nature to create a functional and sustainable model of food production in urban centers. This approach combines the cultivation of fish and plants in an integrated system, allowing one to “feed off” the other in a mutually beneficial way.
- Vertical Farms: An approach that takes advantage of multi-story buildings and space limitations, vertical farms utilize stacked levels of soil, hydroponics, and other materials to maximize space and increase crop production. These farms can be either indoors or outdoors, and can be used to produce a variety of fruits, veggies, and herbs in a city setting.
- Urban Agroforestry: To increase the number of edible species, urban farmers may choose to combine conventional agroforestry with existing residential trees, gardens, and other plants. This approach involves designing the overall ecosystem to function in a holistic way, while also introducing more kind of edible plants to the food supply.
- Container Gardening: This approach works with limited space and resources to create a productive and sustainable urban farming system. Primarily used indoors, container gardening is a great way to grow vegetables in a variety of containers including pots, boxes, and barrels. This system offers versatility, creativity, and can be tailored to whatever the needs of the urban farmer may be.
- Urban Beekeeping: Utilizing nearby plants and flowers, urban beekeepers can create a self-sustaining system of beekeeping that has the potential to provide honey and other bee-related products, as well as increase the available pollinating resources in an area. With the right setup, beekeeping can be a great way to add value to any urban farming system.
Urban farming is quickly becoming a popular way for cities to cultivate food sources sustainably. From aquaponics to container gardening, there are many different approaches to urban farming that can be used to create a productive and sustainable food production system. Here are a few of the most popular types of urban farming systems.
Selecting the Right Crops: Factors to Consider for Successful Urban Farming
Harvesting cities is no longer just a dream, it’s a real, and achievable goal. Urban farming has been on the rise during the past couple of decades and it’s no surprise why. From the in-tandem growth of urban populations and the development of climate-friendly practices, urban farming is an obvious answer to many of our environmental and social concerns. If done right, urban farming can provide entire cities with access to fresh and nutrient-dense foods all year round. But what is needed to get it right?
Selecting the right crops is paramount to the success of any urban farm. Here are factors to consider that will help you determine the ideal crops for your urban farm:
- Space: The size of your urban farm determines the kind of crop you can grow.
- Climate: Your local climate should dictate the type of crops you should grow.
- Soil: Knowing what kind of soil is best for your urban farm will help you choose the right crops.
- Productivity: Choose crops that will provide the most output compared to the input.
- Market demand: It’s essential to really know what the local customers want, and try to align with their desires in order to stay competitive and profitable.
- Pests/diseases: Different crops come with different pests and diseases. Choose plants that are well adapted for not only your climate but also urban environments.
- Harvesting: Select crops that are easy to harvest.
- Maintenance: Opt for plants that can be taken care of efficiently, with minimal effort.
Gaining a thorough understanding how to select the right crops is key to the success of your urban farming venture. This is just the beginning of planning the agricultural system of your city. Make sure to independently research and absorb all the information needed to create a successful urban farm.
Fertile Ground: Nurturing Healthy Soil in Urban Farming
Urban gardening and urban farming have been rapidly growing in popularity recently as more city-dwellers look to grow their own fruits and vegetables in their limited outdoor spaces. From shared community gardens to small balcony grows, many city-dwellers are turning to gardening to infuse their home or apartment with fresh produce and beautiful blossoms. Producing these fresh crops takes more than just knowing your way around a shovel, however; it takes healthy soil.
Urban farming and soil health go hand in hand; without truly fertile soil, urban gardens will struggle to create the bounty of vegetables and colorful blooms that can bring joy to an inner-city life. Here are some tips to create healthy soil for your urban farm:
- Composting: Composting is well-loved practice among urban gardeners who use kitchen scraps, yard waste, and newspaper to add valuable minerals to their topsoil.
- Fertilizer: Fertilizing the soil with organic matter is a great way to add essential nutrients. Experiment with compost teas and mulches to really get your soil in shape.
- Tilling: Tilling rich compost and fertilizer into your garden’s soil helps to break up the ground and prepare it for seeds – don’t forget to aerate your soil too!
- Mulching: Mulching helps to maintain consistent soil temperature while keeping moisture in. Create an evenly layered layer of mulch around your garden beds and watch your plants thrive.
Urban farming can be incredibly rewarding when done right and taking the time to cultivate the soil can be an important part of the process. Try these tips to create a healthy urban farm and watch your vegetables and blossoms grow!
Watering Wisdom: Efficient Irrigation Techniques for Urban Farms
Urban farming is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to cultivate fresh and delicious produce in cities of all sizes. While it can seem intimidating to transition from traditional rural farming, this guide can help you get started with the basics.
- Location: Choose a spot to start your farm that is safe from predators, is freely available when you need to water, and receives plenty of sunlight.
- Supplies: In addition to land, you will need to acquire a few key supplies to get started. These can range from basic hand tools like shovels and rakes, to complex components like water hoses and sprayers.
- Planning: Map out where and when you will sow your seeds, as well as how often you plan to water. A well-thought-out irrigation plan is essential to a successful urban farm.
Proper watering is the key to creating healthy and productive urban farms. Investing in efficient irrigation techniques helps reduce water wastage and can ensure that water reaches all your plants. Utilize H2O-Smart controllers to automatically turn on and off sprinklers, and Gravity-Pressure controlled valves to adjust water pressure.
Organic matter such as mulch and compost act as insulation and can slow down water evaporation, so fertilizing your soil with these can help your plants stay hydrated for longer. As urban farming is still relatively new, it’s important to stay informed by keeping up-to-date on the latest trends and resources.
Embracing Verticality: The Benefits and Techniques of Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is quickly gaining traction in urban cities, allowing for urban centers to ‘harvest’ their own open spaces for food. From rooftops to basements, gardens are popping up in cities everywhere, and for good reason. There are many benefits to vertical farming, such as the following:
- Grows food without using arable land – This is a great advantage in urban areas where arable land to grow food is often not available.
- Vertical farming utilizes less energy and water – Since these gardens use hydroponic systems, the amount of water used is drastically reduced. Also, since these gardens are usually indoors, they use energy efficient LED lighting.
- Provides fresh organic produce – People living in cities often don’t have access to fresh, organic produce, so having a vertical garden nearby would be a huge benefit.
- Maintains urban biodiversity – Since vertical gardens take up much less space than traditional farms, they leave room for other species to thrive in the urban environment.
If you’ve been thinking about starting your own vertical garden, there are some important techniques to be aware of. For starters, make sure you understand the basic concepts behind hydroponic systems and use the right medium for your garden. Secondly, you need to make sure you have the right types of plants for your vertical space. Make sure your garden allows for good air circulation and light exposure, and use the proper supports and trellises to keep your plants upright. Finally, make sure you use proper nutrients to feed and nourish your plants.
Whether you’re an urban gardener looking to experiment, or a professional farmer looking to maximize your output, vertical farming can be an invaluable tool for producing food within cities. With the right techniques and proper understanding of hydroponic systems, anyone can start growing their own food in their urban environment.
Simply Sustainable: Implementing Environmentally Friendly Practices in Urban Farming
Urban farming is an innovative way to bring more fresh and healthy food into our cities, while supporting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. With the rise of urban farming initiatives, it’s easier than ever to start your own urban farm right in your neighborhood. Here’s a brief overview of what you need:
- Land – Even limited areas tight to city blocks are suitable for urban farming, and you can look into using green space, vertical farming, rooftop, and balcony spaces, as well as community gardens.
- Seeds, Water, and Soil – It’s important to consider the type of soil and water you use for growing, and the type of seeds that are suitable in your area. Look for sources that offer organic seeds.
- Supplies and Resources – Composting and utilizing rainwater are key to promoting sustainability and efficiency. Make sure to check out local organizations that can help you to align with other urban farmers in your area and get access to better resources.
- Harvesting and Selling – Learn about the different techniques on ways to harvest, store, present, and market your produce. Once you have a better understanding of the market, you can start to experiment with products to sell at farmers markets and csa.
From finding the right land to marketing your produce, urban farming is a fulfilling experience that comes with many rewards. With the right resources, you can grow your own food and promote a more sustainable lifestyle in the city.
Seeds of Success: Choosing the Right Seeds and Seedlings for Urban Farming
Agricultural development in urban areas is a growing trend across the globe, and there’s a right and wrong way to get started. From creating a seed selection plan to choosing the best seedlings, here’s an introductory urban farming 101.
Optimize Your Plant Selection
- Choose plant varieties based on the environment that they will be grown in. Variables like soil pH, light, temperature, and moisture will influence what a good crop will be.
- Do research on the types of plants that are successful in your region and narrow down your selection.
- Familiarize yourself with the clear difference between seed packets and seedlings sold for urban gardening.
How to Approach Buying Seeds
- Be sure to buy your seeds from reputable companies that grow from non-genetically modified plants.
- Save money in the long-run by buying seeds from the same reputable suppliers instead of their cheaper counterparts.
- When purchasing for the first time, buy modest amounts to test their viability over a few growing seasons.
Choosing the Perfect Seedling
- Successfully navigating the process of seed selection and purchasefully integrating it into the urban farming process goes hand-in-hand with selecting the right seedlings.
- Look for healthy, vigorous seedlings in bright colors and uniform leaf size.
- Seedlings should be moist and planted quickly. Before planting, look for signs of disease, insects, or fungal microorganisms on the seedling.
Weeding Out Challenges: Managing Pests and Diseases in Urban Farms
One of the biggest challenges in urban farming is dealing with pests and disease. Urban farmers tend to be at a higher risk than traditional farmers, as many pests are better equipped to survive in an urban environment. However, there are steps you can take to keep your crops safe from these ever-present threats.
- Know Your Pests: The first step in identifying pests and their effects is to learn about their biology and habits. Different species of bugs feed and reproduce in different ways. Staying abreast of new pests and their behaviors can help you spot potential problems before they crop up.
- Conserve Your Land: Keeping your land free of weeds and other vegetation can help reduce the presence of unwelcome pests. Monitoring and maintaining proper soil health can also make your plants more resilient to any problems that may come up.
- Construct or Design Structures: Building structures like “green roofs,” or barrier structures, can help prevent pests from entering your farm and creating problems. Many pests do not travel far from their caterpillars or eggs, so disrupting their path can keep them away from your crops.
- Monitor Your Harvests: Inspecting your harvests closely is a good way to keep a keen eye on any potential bugs or diseases that may have snuck in. Keeping detailed records of your harvests can also help you track the overall health of your crops.
- Practice Integrated Pest Management: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the practice of using multiple methods to prevent, monitor, and manage pests. This can include cultural, biological, physical, or chemical control tactics, depending on the situation. IPM is more effective and sustainable than any single solution.
By utilizing these tools and techniques, urban farmers can help protect their crops from pests and diseases and keep their farms productive. With knowledge and diligence, urban farmers can find balance between their crops and the pests that threaten them.
The Art of Harvest: Maximizing Yields and Maintaining Quality in Urban Farming
As conversations about food sustainability and urban farming become more commonplace, so does the focus on the harvesting process in the city.
Knowing Your Plants
When it comes to urban farming and harvesting, you need to know the plants you are growing. This includes everything from what kinds of vegetables and fruits grow in your area and how they can be harvested correctly, to what environmental conditions the plants need to thrive.
Proper Equipment
Depending on the type of plants or crops you are harvesting, you may need specialized tools and equipment to keep the yields high and maintain quality. Make sure to have the right tools, such as a rake, shovel, secateurs, and harvesting bag to get the job done.
Cleaning and Tagging
Once you have harvested the crops, it is important to clean and tag them. This includes removing any debris or insects from the vegetables and fruits, and labeling them with the variety, location, and date of harvest. Cleaning and tagging will help ensure that your harvests are safe to consume and can be traced back to their source.
Storage and Packaging
After the harvest is complete, you need to store and package your produce to maximize its shelf life. This includes cleaning, storing in cool, dry conditions, and packaging in airtight containers. It is also important to make sure that the packaging labels include information on the variety, location, and date of harvest.
Things to Remember
When it comes to urban harvesting, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Know what plants grow in your area and how to harvest them correctly.
- Have the right harvesting tools and equipment.
- Clean and tag the produce.
- Store and package correctly to maximize shelf life.
By following these steps you can ensure that your urban farming efforts are successful and that you are maximizing your yields and maintaining the quality of your harvest.
Wilds of Waste: Utilizing Composting and Recycling for Urban Farming
As climate change issues and economic crises grow, cities are increasingly turning to urban farms for relief. Using composting, recycling, and other creative solutions, urban farming can create community gardens, community-supported agriculture, and other sustainable practices that provide fresh, affordable food while reducing waste. Here’s a crash-course in urban farming:
- Composting. Composting is the process of converting organic matter (and sometimes cardboard and paper) into rich soil, which can be used to grow plants. Compost can be created from household scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells, or animal manure, and can be used to nourish and improve the nutrient quality of the soil.
- Recycling. Many cities have programs that encourage citizens to recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum, but these can also be used to feed urban farms. For example, paper bags and empty plastic containers can be reused to make biodegradable seed starters or to line planters. And the aluminum cans are great for creating custom rain barrels, allowing cities to better manage their stormwater runoff.
- Vertical Gardening. To maximize space in an urban farm, gardeners can construct vertical structures that are especially constructed to grow plants with little maintenance or cost. These vertical raised beds can be constructed out of wood or metal, but they also create ideal habitats for beneficial insects and can vastly increase the amount of food grown in a small area.
- Urban Livestock. Urban farms are often home to chickens, rabbits, goats, and even bees, giving cities access to fresh eggs, milk, meat, and honey without industrial processes. Animal husbandry helps sustain farms by converting food waste into animal feed, in addition to providing a steady source of revenue for the farm.
Urban farming is an incredible movement that can bring healthy, fresh food to cities while reducing waste output. To get started, research city and county ordinances in regards to composting, recycling, and raising livestock, then develop strategies for getting urban farming projects off the ground. With a little dedication, you can create a thriving urban farm that the whole community can benefit from.
Building a Community: Involving Locals and Collaborating in Urban Farming
Urban farming has taken root in cities of all sizes. From apartment balconies to thriving community gardens, it’s becoming easier and more rewarding for city dwellers to get their hands dirty and grow their own fresh produce. As an urban farmer, you have the unique opportunity to include your local community in your project and enrich the shared living experience. Following are some tips for building a meaningful collaboration around urban farming.
1. Get to Know Your Neighbours
Moving into a neighbourhood can feel like getting thrown into the deep end. Before you break out the shovels and head to your local garden centre, start getting to know your neighbours. Attend local events, explore your area and get involved in the conversations about what’s happening in the area. This way, you’ll have a better sense of who’s who in the neighbourhood.
- Introduce yourself to people in your neighbourhood
- Ask around about local events and activities
- Gather information about what’s important to the people in your neighbourhood
2. Connect to the Community
Once you’ve identified the local people and organisations in your area, begin exploring ways to connect with them. Get in touch with local organisations or neighbourhood groups and ask if they’d be interested in collaborating on an urban farming project. Perhaps you’d like to start a community garden, or create classes around growing and cooking produce.
- Connect with local organisations or neighbourhood groups
- Inquire about collaboration opportunities or starting classes
- Ask locals what they’d like to see and get involved in
3. Create a Network
When engaging in an urban farming project in your city, it’s essential to lay a strong foundation. Once you’ve connected to the local community, you can begin to create a reliable network of farmers, suppliers and allies who are willing to help out with your project. You can even make connections with neighbouring cities and collaborate with partner organisations that can offer resources, advice and support.
- Make connections with farmers, suppliers and allies
- Network with neighbouring cities and collaborate with partner organisations
- Brainstorm ways to gather resources and create support networks
The Power of Education: Promoting Urban Farming in Schools and Beyond
Urban farming has become a major part of the conversation when discussing sustainability, not just from an environmental standpoint but also from an economic one. As an educational tool, urban farming has a unique ability to bring people together to explore big ideas in a hands-on way, all while having a positive impact on our communities. So, what is urban farming all about and how can we use it to grow and enhance our cities? Let’s explore!
- Growing Food Locally: Along with being more nutritious, eating food that has been grown and harvested locally reduces the strain on the environment by reducing the emissions that come with transporting produce great distances. With food insecurity and related health disparities rampant in some urban areas, the ability to access fresh food is vital. Urban farming provides an opportunity to grow our own food wherever we live.
- Uniting Our Communities: Urban farming provides a platform for strengthening relationships between diverse segments of a community. Growing produce in and around one’s home can provide a sense of pride and connection to our community, and teach us valuable lessons about the importance of collaboration and communication. Farmers markets and farm-to-table CSA programs can also be great opportunities for people to support one another through creating meaningful connections.
- Education in Action: As an educational tool, urban farming has several distinct advantages. School gardens can be a way for students to engage with the environment and get active in their community. An urban farming curriculum can include lessons on environmental science, sustainable agriculture, food systems, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and more. Beyond the classroom, urban farming can also help to engage adults and children in nature, foster a sense of respect and responsibility for the environment, and teach practical skills.
These are just a few of the ways that urban farming can have a positive impact in our cities, but the possibilities are endless. By understanding the power of education, using our resources wisely, and uniting our communities through shared experience, we can create a better and brighter future for our cities and beyond!
Paving the Way for Policy Change: Advocating for Urban Farming Regulations
- Growing Seeds and Reaping Benefits: Have you ever been curious about urban farming? Have you considered turning your backyard into a small-scale, homegrown farm? Urban farming is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food within cities. When done right, urban farming can have multiple benefits to the local community. While there are still some challenges to overcome for this practice to become widespread, advocacy for urban farming regulations has never been stronger.
- Getting Started: Before you get started, it is important to understand your city’s laws, zoning codes, and permitting related to urban farming. Cities vary in terms of what’s permissible, so you’ll want to make sure you’re within the legal framework before you begin. Additionally, you should consider what type of crop you will want to grow, the potential cost to start and maintain a farm, and which areas will be appropriate for cultivating crops.
- Making a Difference: As urban farming continues to gain in popularity, it is important to consider the larger implications of this practice. Not only can it help combat hunger and food insecurity, it may also be an important piece in addressing climate change. By moving away from industrial agriculture practices and focusing on local production, cities can explore new and innovative methods that improve environmental sustainability.
- The Journey Ahead: With so many potential benefits to urban farming, cities have an opportunity to really change the way our food is produced and consumed. Advocates of urban farming regulations can help make the journey a reality by engaging their local government officials and advocating for thorough policy change.
Feeding the Future: An Optimistic Outlook on the Potential of Urban Farming
Urban farming is on the rise, with expansive efforts from city governments, advocacy groups and civic-minded individuals. Through recent advances in agricultural technology, sustainable hydroponic systems and rooftop gardens, it is now entirely possible to produce food – on a large scale – in nearly any space imaginable. In this article, we will break down the basics of urban farming from start to finish, from the planning and implementation to the harvesting and yield.
- Planning the Farm: When first beginning the process of starting up an urban farm, the goals of the project should always stay at the forefront. Create a comprehensive plan so that all elements of the farm are catered to. A successful plan will outline not only the type of produce that will be grown, but the how, when and where the farm will be set up.
- The Technology: Now that the plan has been created, it’s time to choose the right technology to carry out the project. Hydroponic systems, aquaponics and vertical towers are all viable options and can be adjusted according to the necessities of the project. Setting up rainwater collection systems and securing the proper soil medium are essential steps within the implementation of the technology.
- Securing the Space and Supporting Systems: Now it’s time to pick a place to put the farm, which could include rooftops, vacant lots or even indoor warehouses. Surface area will primarily depend on the requirements of the project. Any space chosen should permit access to utilities, including water and electricity, that the supporting systems of the urban farm may require.
The logistics of urban farming, while admittedly quite involved, are just the beginning of this revolutionary form of food production. Boasting an impressive environmental track record, urban farming has the potential to turn impoverished communities into agricultural hubs, reduce food insecurity, introduce healthier eating habits and greatly reduce a person’s carbon footprint. In an era of rising food prices and wide-reaching health concerns, its no surprise that the global urban farming movement, from Durney Street in Havana to Kaiwharawhara in Wellington, is well and alive.
Harvesting cities offers the possibility to grow food in urban areas, encouraging us all to take a more active role in our local food systems. As the urban farming movement grows, so too does our potential to create a healthier, more delicious, more sustainable future. With the guidance of this Urban Farming 101 guide, you now have a clearer understanding of the ins and outs of urban farming – so get out there and start growing!