What Types of Farming Practices Are Used in Urban Agriculture?

There’s a movement toward local food sweeping the nation, but for those in urban environments, this presents a whole new set of challenges. In cities, land is at a premium, meaning the acres and acres of sprawling farmland needed to feed the population are often hours away. Yet urban agriculture is taking root in big cities all around the world. Read on to learn some urban agriculture facts and explore a few of the fantastic ways that urban farmers are growing local food in areas that are densely populated.

Urban Agriculture Facts

If you’re not aware of the need for urban agriculture and itsand benefits of urban agriculture, take these urban agriculture facts into account.

• Most of our fresh foods travel an average of 1,500 miles from farm to store.

• Food production is responsible for a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

• It’s estimated that by 2050, about 80% of the world’s food will be consumed by urban populations.

• Urban gardening now produces nearly 20% of the world’s food.

• Urban agriculture has grown by more than 30% in the last 30 years.

• Urban agricultural production is expected to be worth more than $33 Billion by 2030.

Small Family Farms

The first, and perhaps oldest, urban agriculture method occurs when small family farms maintain their land as a city grows up around them. Often these operations are grandfathered in, kept in place as long as the families who own and run them can maintain their upkeep. Unfortunately, as the value of the land increases, more and more of these small farms are forced out.

Community Gardens

In many cities, small plots of land or rooftops are set aside for community members to garden as they see fit. These community gardens are often a part of community development projects, designed to beautify a neighborhood while bringing community members together to create something that will benefit everyone. In addition to providing local produce, they help clean the air from pollutants and absorb carbon emissions.

Vertical Farms

Finally, a higher-tech option is beginning to take root in cities everywhere. Vertical farms are perfectly situated to fill the need for local urban agriculture because they allow growers to produce far more crops with a small footprint. 

Instead of growing plants low to the ground in long rows, plants are stacked vertically in trays or towers. Often these farms use hydroponic growing methods, allowing the plants to grow more quickly than on traditional soil-based farms. And since they’re typically enclosed in climate-controlled environments, they can grow all sorts of healthy foods all year round, regardless of season or climate.

Feed Your City

If you’re looking for ways to be a part of the urban agriculture revolution, a turnkey vertical farm from Eden Green Technology could be exactly the right opportunity. Our hydroponic greenhouses can produce 500 tons of leafy green vegetables each year on as little as an acre and a half. They also offer 30 full-time jobs with living wages, safe working conditions, and full benefits. And since they can average 11-13 harvests annually, they can offer fresh, healthy food to the local community all year long. 

To get started with your very own greenhouse, contact our experts today. We’ll help you plan, build, and run your own greenhouse from the ground up.