Urban farming practices
According to the North American Urban Agriculture Committee, urban agriculture is “the production, distribution and marketing [and disposal] of food and other products within the cores and edges of metropolitan areas“.
Around 15% of the world’s food is now grown in urban areas. Urban agriculture can reflect varying levels of economic and social development. In the global north (*), it often takes the form of a social movement for sustainable communities, where community-driven growers form social networks founded on a shared ethos of nature and community holism. These networks can evolve with institutional support, becoming integrated into local planning for sustainable urban development. In the developing south, food security, nutrition, and income 
generation are key motivations for the practice. In either case, more direct access to fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat products through urban agriculture can improve food security and food safety.
In the U.S., urban farming enhances the community by providing a sustainable food source within city limits develops community capacity; and improves health through access to nutritious food and exercise opportunities. Some of the goals are use urban land to maximize local food outputs and assists in meeting needs for local food production and community food security.
- Creates jobs, income, and food
- Increases food access
- Mitigates erosion and topsoil loss
- Increases food grown and eaten locally, decreasing carbon footprint
- Option for reuse of gray water
- Positive impact on urban ecology
- Improves local economy and economic growth
- Builds healthier communities
- Access to more markets
- Space
- Soil quality (contaminants)
- Policy barriers
Best Management Practices
(from the Community Food Systems Program toolkit)
- Use of underutilized spaces in cities for production of food: vacant spaces, rooftops, corporate land, churches, parks
- Financing through combination of platforms: private equity, grassroots fundraiting, and crowdfunding
- Unique branding
- Community engagement
- Select communities that have a market gap or need for niche market
- Farm incubators and training
- Recipes and cooking classes for local produce
Useful resources
The Environmental Protection Agency‘s website provides information for people pursuing agriculture projects as a part of brownfield redevelopment and reuse.
The Potential for Urban Agriculture is a publication written by Ken Meter for the Crossroads Resource Center.
Examples
(from the Community Food Systems Program toolkit)
Matthew 25, Cedar Rapids
An urban farm with 5 different plots in Cedar Rapids on G Avenue. The plots are within a few blocks from each other, and a few are directly adjacent to the railroad and expand onto F Avenue. A unique aspect about Matthew 25’s approach is their efforts to engage community and provide public play space through while also growing food. Matthew 25 sells the produce at a market at their business location on 3rd Ave, and offers produce 1/2 off to families who are low-income.
Global Green (Lutheran Services of Iowa), Des Moines
An agricultural program that coordinates land access, production, education and business development raining for refugees. Lutheran Services also offers:
1) Community gardens- 10×15 or 20×20 plots : 11 different sites
2) Beginning market farmers: 50x50plots: 21 people using
3) Advanced market: ¼ acre : 8 people in program- also get training courses
Brooklyn Grange Farm, Flagship, New York City. Rooftop farm and intensive green roofing business; grows over 50,000 lbs. of organic procure per year
Growing Power, Milwaukee (WI) A growing food center to learn about sustainable practices and grow, process, market and distribute food; a historic, 2-acre farm and greenhouse
Grow Dat Youth Farm, New Orleans (LO) A youth farm with a mission to nurture young leaders through meaningful work of growing food
Useful contacts
Courtney Long
Community Food Systems Program manager
court7@iastate.edu
The Community Food Systems Program is a process that promotes public interest design through engagement with community leaders, leading a holistic design incorporating community values around food. This includes tactics addressing food access (community gardens, food pantry, community kitchens, etc.), including urban farming. Courtney has experience assisting beginning urban farming projects and has researched several successful models across the country.
Christopher Currey
Hydroponic and greenhouse specialist
ccurrey@iastate.edu
Dr. Currey teaches the popular topics of hydroponic and greenhouse growing and management.
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generation are key motivations for the practice. In either case, more direct access to fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat products through urban agriculture can improve food security and food safety.
Courtney Long 
Christopher Currey