3. Urban farming management

Urban Farming Management Overview

• Course: TAYLOR'S AGR 60304 U UNIVERSITY

• Focus: Sustainable Urban Farming

Lesson Plan Components

• Introduction

• Definitions

• Demographic and Socio-economic Factors

• Urban Farming Practices

• Role of Urban Farming

• Constraints to Adopting Urban Farming

• Inspiring Urban Farming Projects Worldwide

Urbanization Trends

• As of 1961, around 34% of the global population resided in urban areas.

• Projections indicate this will rise to over 60% by 2030, adding more than 1.4 billion people, particularly in developing regions.

• Rapid urbanization presents challenges such as hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

Defining Urban Farming

• Urban Farming (UF) supports sustainable and resilient urban communities by implementing circular economy strategies, enhancing natural cycle restoration and ecosystem services.

• Though UF represents a small portion of food distribution systems, it aims for food self-sufficiency in urban settings.

Key Definitions of Urban Farming

• UNDP (1996): Production of crop and livestock goods within urban environments.

• Smit et al. (1996): Localized food systems involving production, processing, and recycling occurring around cities.

• Deelstra & Girardet (2000): Enhances urban microclimate, reduces waste, and recycles nutrients.

• Baumgartner & Belevi (2001): Focuses on diverse food production in intraurban and peri-urban areas.

• Viljoen et al. (2005): Contributes to quality of life in economic and sociocultural terms through urban agriculture.

Urban Farming Characteristics

• Encompasses varied methods like backyard gardening, rooftop farms, community gardens, and hydroponics (La Rosa et al., 2014).

• Engages practitioners often without formal agricultural education in non-profit settings.

Global Urban Farming Statistics

• Approximately 15% of global food is cultivated in urban areas, servicing around 700 million city residents.

• By 2030, 60% of individuals in developing countries will be urban dwellers.

• Urban agriculture strengthens food security and environmental stewardship while promoting a connection to land through education.

Inspiring Urban Agriculture Projects

Abalimi

• Located near Cape Town, South Africa; focuses on improving livelihoods through organic farming.

Alterna's Feeding Citizenship

• A Montreal-based non-profit advocating for social and environmental justice through community horticulture.

Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS)

• A program in Baltimore, Maryland, providing children from low-income areas the opportunity to learn gardening while developing academic skills.

Camino Verde

• In Puerto Maldonado, Peru; this project promotes tree planting and environmental education.

Canberra City Farm

• In Canberra, Australia, it acts as a learning hub on sustainable food production practices.

Compost Pedallers

• A bike-powered composting initiative in Austin, Texas, emphasizing community connectedness and waste reduction.

Detroit Dirt

• A composting project in Detroit working to recycle organic waste into resources for urban farms.

Ferme de Paris

• A municipal organic farm offering various agricultural experiences for city residents.

Factors Affecting Urban Farming

• Employment: Approximately 200 million people work in urban agriculture, contributing to food supplies for 800 million urban inhabitants.

• Experience: Many urban farmers have 2-4 years of cultivation skills, often balancing farming with work and family.

• Crop Types: Vegetables are predominant, with 72% of urban farmers engaging in their cultivation.

Role of Urban Farming in Food and Nutritional Security

• Urban farming could yield up to 10% of the global output of legumes, roots, and vegetables, improving food availability during emergencies.

• Provides economic savings and enhances community food exchanges, improving residents’ food security.

Constraints to Adopting Urban Farming

• Economic benefits perceived as unclear; lack of government support; high seed costs; pest and disease issues; need for skilled labor.

Urban Farming Management Practices

Permaculture Principles

• Integrates the environment, people, and technology in a reciprocal way to fulfill material and non-material needs sustainably.

• Ethics: Care for Earth, Care for People, Share the Surplus.

Community and Business Planning

• Establishing support systems and agricultural hubs is vital for successful urban farming projects, enhancing collaboration within neighborhoods.

Urban Farming Infrastructure Design

• Considerations include light sources, waste disposal, and integrated farming areas (e.g., greenhouses, animal shelters).

Water and Irrigation Techniques

• Varied methodologies include buckets, drip hoses, soaker hoses, and traditional irrigation systems, emphasizing efficiency and sustainability.

Soil and Compost Methods

• Strategies include maintaining organic matter and minerals, employing vermicomposting, and utilizing indoor growing methods.

Planting and Production Strategies

• Effective practices involve interplanting, planting seeds correctly, and maximizing crop production through innovative space management.