Why Urban Agriculture?

Ally Schonfeld12.02.13

My Story

• 2nd year Masters Student– Agricultural and Extension Education with dual title

International Agriculture and Development• Bachelors Degree- Psychology, Sociology and

Anthropology• Thesis- Viability of Urban Agriculture in Baltimore city• Different perspectives/aspects to Urban Agriculture• Historically significant- Season Ext. in France in 1670s

and ‘80s (Eliot Coleman)

What is Urban Agriculture?

• Production of fruits and vegetables, raising of animals, and cultivation of fish for local sale and consumption

• More holistic definition includes its influence and dependence on a variety of economic, environmental, and social resources

• Varies broadly by region and country, as well as by field of study (Public Health and City Planning)

• Past 5 years- definition includes more than just food production in urban areas

The Situation Now

Food SecurityResources

(Economic, Social, Business, Community)

Policy Acceptance

Urban Farms

Impact Factors

Community Development

Who??

Impact Factors• History (area and people)• Subsidized Food• Drugs• Violence (perception of)• City Planning/Development• Government• Health• Accessibility• Economy• Motivation• Knowledge of resources

Community Development

• Community Bonds• People coming together• Neighbors• Opportunities to be involved• Community Issues• http://

www.kickstarter.com/projects/405310140/whitelock-community-farm

Resources

• Weak and Strong Ties• Nonprofits, NGOs and locally

based change organizations• Mentorship• Demonstrations• Small Business Models• Extension• Architecture/Building• Social• Economic• Financial• Gaps in Research

Prerequisites (Hodgson et al)

• Climate• Weather• Insects and Pests• Land or growing space• Secure land tenure• Healthy, uncontaminated soil or growing

medium• Water• Labor• Capital and operating funds• Financial and technical assistance• Agricultural skills and knowledge• Processing and transportation

infrastructure• Distribution channels• Consumer demand• Viable markets

Who?

• Youth• Entrepreneurs• New Residents• College Educated• Artists• Social Sciences• Retirees

Outcomes

• Efficacy• Exposure to food origins (start to build

literacy)• Further Community Development• Food Security (efficacy and value)• Community Power • Value within society• Vein for Commercial Agriculture

Examples

• http://www.farmalliancebaltimore.org/• http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/greatkidsfarm • http://

www.baltimoresustainability.org/homegrown-baltimore-grow-local

• http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/us/blighted-cities-prefer-razing-to-rebuilding.html?_r=0

• http://www.realfoodfarm.org/about/the-farm/• What are other cities doing?– http://www.msumetrofood.com/

Resources• United States. Environmental Protection Agency.Office of

Solid Waste and Emergency Response. (2011). Urban agriculture. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

• Cabannes, Y. (2012). Financing urban agriculture. Environment & Urbanization, 24(2), 665-683. doi: 10.1177/0956247812456126

• Kimberley Hodgson, Marcia Caton Campbell, & Martin Bailkey. (2011). What is urban agriculture? Planning Advisory Service Report, (563), 9.

Questions?