southern sawg, what is urban farming, 2014
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Introduction to Urban Introduction to Urban FarmingFarming
Edwin [email protected]
gwww.eatsouth.org
OutlineOutline
What is an Urban FarmWhat is an Urban FarmHistory of Urban FarmsHistory of Urban FarmsCurrent State of Urban Current State of Urban FarmsFarmsUrban Farm techniques Urban Farm techniques
Start-upStart-up FundingFunding TechniquesTechniques MarketingMarketing EvaluationEvaluation
ResourcesResources
EAT South Downtown FarmEAT South Downtown Farm
EAT South’s Hampstead EAT South’s Hampstead FarmFarm
What is Urban Farming?What is Urban Farming?
Growing plants in Growing plants in or near cityor near city
Both ‘for-profit’ Both ‘for-profit’ and ‘not-for profit’and ‘not-for profit’
Individuals, Individuals, community groups, community groups, schools, or schools, or companiescompanies
These often have a These often have a social or public social or public health agendahealth agenda
Breaking Through ConcreteBreaking Through Concrete
Why Urban Farming?Why Urban Farming?
Re-localize the Re-localize the Food SystemFood System A safe food system A safe food system
is a local food is a local food systemsystem
A local food system A local food system supports a local supports a local economyeconomy
Why Urban Farming?Why Urban Farming?
Food is supposed Food is supposed to taste like to taste like something!something!
Food is supposed Food is supposed to taste like some to taste like some WHERE!WHERE!
Children don’t want Children don’t want food that doesn’t food that doesn’t taste!taste!
Why Urban Farming?Why Urban Farming?
Reduce the Reduce the environmental impact environmental impact of our food systemof our food system Reduce transportation Reduce transportation
costs and dependence costs and dependence on non-renewable on non-renewable resourcesresources
Close nutrient cycles Close nutrient cycles to reduce to reduce environmental impact environmental impact – waste doesn’t exist – waste doesn’t exist in natural systems!in natural systems!
Why Urban Farming?Why Urban Farming?
Economic ImpactEconomic Impact Wealth generation Wealth generation
for individualsfor individuals Wealth generation Wealth generation
for communitiesfor communities Turning liabilities Turning liabilities
into assets into assets
Why Urban Farming?Why Urban Farming?
A New A New Generation of Generation of FarmersFarmers Appeals to a Appeals to a
different different demographicdemographic
Reduces the Reduces the barriers to barriers to getting startedgetting started
A Brief History of Urban A Brief History of Urban FarmingFarming
Urban farms have been in existence since Urban farms have been in existence since the advent of the city the advent of the city
Cities perhaps wouldn’t have existed Cities perhaps wouldn’t have existed without urban farmswithout urban farms
Urban farms throughout the world Urban farms throughout the world contributed substantially to cites food contributed substantially to cites food access – especially perishable fruits and access – especially perishable fruits and vegetablesvegetables
Improvements in transportation changed Improvements in transportation changed the relationship of farms to citiesthe relationship of farms to cities
Urban Farms in the Modern Urban Farms in the Modern WorldWorld
As railroads and As railroads and refrigeration became refrigeration became more popular, farms more popular, farms moved away from cities moved away from cities to better cheaper farm to better cheaper farm landland
Coupled with these Coupled with these technologies, technologies, ‘Suburbanization’ drove ‘Suburbanization’ drove farms far from cities farms far from cities
By the mid-20By the mid-20thth century, century, there were virtually no there were virtually no more urban farms. more urban farms.
Fairview Gardens
the ‘last’ farm in Santa Barbara
Urban Farms address Social Urban Farms address Social IssuesIssues
Urban Farms in America have had Urban Farms in America have had multiple growth periods and retractions.multiple growth periods and retractions.
1890’s urban farming exploded out of 1890’s urban farming exploded out of Detroit in response to a recession – driven Detroit in response to a recession – driven by the Mayor as a Social Projectby the Mayor as a Social Project
Other cities adopted similar projects but Other cities adopted similar projects but all were abandoned after recessionall were abandoned after recession
Victory GardensVictory Gardens
During both WW1 and During both WW1 and WWII, government WWII, government pushed the public pushed the public towards urban farming towards urban farming with great success – to with great success – to support the war effortsupport the war effort
After the wars, After the wars, however, the gardens however, the gardens were largely were largely abandoned.abandoned.
In the 1970’s, urban In the 1970’s, urban farming was again farming was again looked to as the ‘cure’ looked to as the ‘cure’ for urban blight.for urban blight.
Contemporary Urban FarmsContemporary Urban Farms
Today Urban Farms are being embraced as Today Urban Farms are being embraced as the ‘cure’ for numerous social issues, such the ‘cure’ for numerous social issues, such as childhood obesity and urban blightas childhood obesity and urban blight
All major cities have urban farm projects, All major cities have urban farm projects, ranging widely in size and scoperanging widely in size and scope
In Europe and Asia, however, urban farming In Europe and Asia, however, urban farming has been integrated into the social fabric – has been integrated into the social fabric – not used as a response to crisis. not used as a response to crisis.
In developing countries, urban farming is In developing countries, urban farming is primarily driven by a need for ‘food security’ primarily driven by a need for ‘food security’
The Future of Urban Farms The Future of Urban Farms
Will the current interest Will the current interest in urban farming in urban farming sustain itself after the sustain itself after the current public health current public health ‘issues’ are resolved?‘issues’ are resolved?
The current interest in The current interest in Local Food Systems Local Food Systems perhaps points at a perhaps points at a longer term shift in the longer term shift in the way America thinks way America thinks about urban farming?about urban farming?
Modern Urban SuccessesModern Urban Successes
Growing Power – Growing Power – Milwaukee, WSMilwaukee, WS
The Food Project – The Food Project – Boston, MABoston, MA
Pea Patches – Seattle, Pea Patches – Seattle, WAWA
Greens Grow – Greens Grow – Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Truly Living Well – Truly Living Well – Atlanta, GAAtlanta, GA Growing Power’s
Aqua-ponics Greenhouse
Techniques for Urban Techniques for Urban FarmingFarming
Getting StartedGetting Started Find Your PartnersFind Your Partners Resources and Resources and
FundingFunding Issues and Issues and
ChallengesChallenges
School garden at the
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Getting StartedGetting Started Develop a planDevelop a plan
Business plan – just Business plan – just as important for not-as important for not-for-profits!for-profits!
How will the world be How will the world be different as a result of different as a result of your work?your work?
Developing a mission, Developing a mission, vision and strategic vision and strategic planplan
Logic ModelsLogic Models Resources, objectives, Resources, objectives,
outcomes, evaluationsoutcomes, evaluations
Find your partnersFind your partners Who will you be Who will you be
serving?serving? CustomersCustomers CommunityCommunity
Who are your Who are your resourcesresources Possible volunteers/ Possible volunteers/
collaboratorscollaborators Who is your Who is your
competition? competition? Other farms? Other farms? Food RetailersFood Retailers
Resources - FundingResources - Funding
Public FundingPublic Funding Local municipalities and countiesLocal municipalities and counties USDA USDA
SARE, NRCSSARE, NRCSCommunity Food Projects – Community Food Projects –
Full project and Planning Full project and Planning grantsgrants
Resources - FundingResources - Funding Private FundingPrivate Funding
Local Community FoundationsLocal Community Foundations Local corporations (health insurance Local corporations (health insurance
companies)companies) Kellogg FoundationKellogg Foundation Wallace CenterWallace Center Heifer International Heifer International Why HungerWhy Hunger Private InvestorsPrivate Investors
Kick Starter, etc…Kick Starter, etc…
Issues and ChallengesIssues and Challenges
Environmental Environmental QualityQuality
Soil test - Before Soil test - Before putting a seed in the putting a seed in the ground!ground!
County ExtensionCounty Extension Private Private
Air and Water Air and Water qualityquality EAT South’s Downtown Farm
rubber mat below production area
Issues and ChallengesIssues and Challenges
Zoning lawsZoning laws Very few places have urban ag codesVery few places have urban ag codes Sustainable Cities InstituteSustainable Cities Institute
SecuritySecurity Fences don’t keep people out – only alienateFences don’t keep people out – only alienate Shipping containers are fun and effective!Shipping containers are fun and effective!
Community SupportCommunity Support Neighbors fear smells and sights of farmsNeighbors fear smells and sights of farms
Production TechniquesProduction Techniques
Starting smallStarting small Tremendous amounts Tremendous amounts
of vacant urban spaceof vacant urban space Developing marketsDeveloping markets
Tremendous Tremendous opportunities in niche opportunities in niche marketsmarkets
Farming in urban Farming in urban soilssoils A system to match A system to match
any soilsany soils
Cinderblock raised bedsCinderblock raised beds
AdvantagesAdvantages Excellent drainage, Excellent drainage,
aeration and aeration and concentration of fertilityconcentration of fertility
Much easier harvest Much easier harvest and maintenanceand maintenance
ChallengesChallenges Time consuming/ Time consuming/
expensive to build w/o expensive to build w/o proper equipmentproper equipment
Lose some planting Lose some planting area to width of cinder area to width of cinder blockblock
In-ground Raised bedsIn-ground Raised beds
AdvantagesAdvantages Low cost and easy to Low cost and easy to
build w/ correct build w/ correct equipmentequipment
Improve drainage, Improve drainage, aeration and aeration and concentration of fertilityconcentration of fertility
ChallengesChallenges Time consuming to build Time consuming to build
w/o proper equipmentw/o proper equipment Lose some planting area Lose some planting area
to pathways and bed to pathways and bed shouldershoulder
Soil must be tested!Soil must be tested!
Container gardeningContainer gardening
AdvantagesAdvantages Excellent drainage and Excellent drainage and
concentration of fertilityconcentration of fertility Easy to harvest and Easy to harvest and
maintainmaintain Can get pots for freeCan get pots for free
ChallengesChallenges Need greenhouse or Need greenhouse or
coveringcovering Must be watered Must be watered
frequentlyfrequently
Wood/ Metal raised bedsWood/ Metal raised beds
AdvantagesAdvantages Improve drainage, Improve drainage,
aeration and aeration and concentration of fertilityconcentration of fertility
Easy to harvestEasy to harvest Match aesthetics of siteMatch aesthetics of site
ChallengesChallenges Time consuming/ Time consuming/
expensive to build.expensive to build.
Greenhouses/ HothousesGreenhouses/ Hothouses
AdvantagesAdvantages Increases seasonIncreases season Control moisture Control moisture
level in soillevel in soil ChallengesChallenges
Expensive to build Expensive to build and maintainand maintain
Must be watered Must be watered frequentlyfrequently
Crop Planning for SuccessCrop Planning for Success
Research the market for your productsResearch the market for your products Match the scale of your operation to the Match the scale of your operation to the
available marketavailable market What can you grow better than others?What can you grow better than others? Grow high-yield cropsGrow high-yield crops
Leafy greensLeafy greens Root cropsRoot crops
Markets for Urban Farm Markets for Urban Farm ProductsProducts
Direct MarketingDirect Marketing CSACSA Farmers MarketsFarmers Markets Farm StandsFarm Stands
Whole SaleWhole Sale Grocery storesGrocery stores Corner storesCorner stores
Evaluating the ImpactEvaluating the Impact
Design Trust for Design Trust for Public SpacePublic Space
EconomicEconomic EnvironmentalEnvironmental HealthHealth CommunityCommunity
Web ResourcesWeb Resources Design Trust for Public Space
www.fiveboroughfarm.org/
Policy Link’s toolkit for urban farming - www.policylink.org/site/c.lkIXLbMNJrE/b.7634055/k.41A6/Urban_Ag_and_Community_Gardens.htm
Sustainable Cities InstituteSustainable Cities Institute www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/view/page.basic/report/feature.report/
Report_Zoning_Urb_Ag
The Community Food Security Coalition’s Urban Farm Committee www.foodsecurity.org/ua_home.html
The American Community Garden Association’s toolkit for starting community gardens.
www.communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php
WHY Hunger’s Food Security Learning Center www.whyhunger.org/getinfo#
City Farmer’s Urban Agriculture Notes www.cityfarmer.info/
Further ReadingFurther Reading Agropolis; The Social, Political and Environmental Dimensions of Urban
Agriculture. Luc Mougeot. London: Earthscan and IDRC, 2005 A collection of academic papers addressing issues and opportunities
for urban agriculture around the world. A Patch of Eden; America’s Inner City Gardens. H. Patricia Hynes. White
River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 1996 The story of numerous community gardens around American inner-
cities and how they are rebuilding communities and restoring ecological systems.
City Bountiful, A Century of Community Gardening in America. Laura J. Lawson. Berkley; University of California Press, 2005
A comprehensive history of urban food projects in America in the 20th century with a focus on quantifying their impact.
Continuously Productive Urban Landscapes, Designing Agriculture for Sustainable Cities. Andre Viljoen. Burlington, MA: Architectural Press, 2005
A collection of articles focused on how food production fits into urban planning.
Further ReadingFurther Reading Creating Sustainable Cities. Herbert Girardet. Devon: Green Book, 1999
A manifesto on why we must transform how cities function in order to create a sustainable future. Examples offered from around the world.
Ecocities; Rebuilding Cities in Balance with Nature. Richard Register. Vancouver: New Society Publishers, 2006
A manual on how to build cities for people, not cars. Register puts our modern city into an ecological historical context and then proposes strategies for reducing sprawl. Urban food production is mentioned throughout the book.
Farm City. Novella Carpenter. New York: the Penguin Press, 2009 The tale of an urban farmer in Oakland, CA converting her next door vacant lot
into a production farm, complete with vegetables, chickens, bees, and pigs. Food Not Lawns, How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden and Your Neighborhood into a
Community. H.C. Flores. White River Junction, VT: Green Publishing, 2006 Methods for changing urban landscapes into edible gardens and developing a
healthy community For Hunger-proof Cities; Sustainable Urban Food Systems. Luc Mougeot. Ottawa,
Canada: International Development Research Center, 1999 A collection of essays about international food systems and food insecurity.
Further ReadingFurther Reading Metrofarm: the Guide to Growing for Big Profit on a Small Parcel of Land.
Michael Oldon. Santa Cruz, CA: TS Books, 1994 On Good Land. Michael Ableman. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1998
The story of how the last 26 acres of farmland in Santa Barbara was saved.
Public Produce, the New Urban Agriculture. Darrin Nordahl. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2009.
An academic look at the opportunities for municipalities to support urban food production on public land The Urban Farmer’s Handbook. Paul Peacock. Preston, UK: The Good Life Press, 2008
Technical guide to producing food and raising livestock in the city. Toolbox for Sustainable City Living. Scott Kellogg and Stacy Pettigrew.
Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2008 A technical manual for how to redirect urban resources to create a
sustainable society, specifically on water, waste, and energy Urban Agriculture: Growing Healthy, Sustainable Places. Hodgson, K.,
Campbell, M.C., Bailkey, M. American Planning Association. (2011).
Training resourcesTraining resources
ATTRA – How to ATTRA – How to Start a Farm in the Start a Farm in the CityCity
Food Project Food Project InstituteInstitute
Growing Power Growing Power ApprenticeshipApprenticeship
Food CorpsFood Corps