What is Urban Agriculture?
Think food only grows in the country? What about agriculture in the city? Such an activity relies on using available space and resources as well as utilizing local citizens to maintain the garden. It can be a small or large space and be as simple as a vacant field with corn to a more complex, highly involved series of gardens like a pea patch. The key to efficient city farming is planning and getting others involved. A quick web search for urban farming facts brings up several different definitions by different groups. However, there are some basic notions that all organizations agree upon.
First, the purpose of the urban farm is to produce food, often for commercial purposes.
Second, the garden or farm will utilize techniques to maximize production even in small spaces while using resources efficiently.
The last common thread is the creative use of a variety of spaces. Roof top gardens, vacant lots, and even donated spaces on school or hospital grounds make wonderful urban farms.
Benefits of Urban Agriculture
Agriculture in the city provides an opportunity to make money off the surplus that you grow, or you can be a good Samaritan and give it away to a local food bank, school, or other charity of need. It is a flexible way of gardening that relies upon opportunity and may play an important part in the development of an area while also bringing social, economic, and ecological benefits. Here are some other important facts about urban farming benefits:
Provides an opportunity for commerce
Improves city spaces
Utilizes urban waste such as wastewater and food waste
Reduces the cost of transporting food
Can provide jobs
Improve air quality
Serve as a teaching garden
Tips on Starting an Urban Farm
Obviously, the first requirement is space. If you can’t access a vacant lot due to zoning restrictions or ownership claims, think outside the box. Contact your local school district and see if they would be interested in donating some land for the project, which could also be used to teach children how to grow plants and provide other educational benefits. Call your local utilities and see if they have fallow land that they would allow you to lease. Once you have the site, consider what to plant and the layout of the farm. It must be easy to access, have a site for water storage, and have good soil and drainage. As with any garden, the rest is mostly hard work and tending plants, but in the end, both you and your community will reap the many benefits.
