Why Urban Agriculture?

1. Why Urban Agriculture? Ally Schonfeld 12.02.13

2. 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)

3. 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

6. The Situation Now Impact Factors Community Development Who?? 

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

8. Community Development • Community Bonds • People coming together • Neighbors • Opportunities to be involved • Community Issues • http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/405310140/whitelock-community-farm

9. Resources 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 • 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

10. Who? • Youth • Entrepreneurs • New Residents • College Educated • Artists • Social Sciences • Retirees

11. 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

12. 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/

13. 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.

14. Questions?