Introduction to Urban Introduction to Urban FarmingFarming

Edwin Martyedwin@eatsouth.or

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