Urban Farming: The Future, or Just Another Fad?

(Image Courtesy of Boston Planning and Development Agency)

Throughout the nation, one of the hottest trends in green living is urban farming. At its core, the idea of urban farming is to take unused, vacant spaces in large cities and turn them into productive "urban" farms. Often, these farms pop up in vacant lots, on rooftops, or really anywhere else that can support them. 

As with anything new, though, many people are questioning whether urban farms are just another fad, or if they're here to stay. To answer that question, it's helpful to first look at some of the benefits of urban farming.

• It's a green solution to excess stormwater.
• It improves air quality.
• It reduces the 'urban heat island effect'.
• It increases biodiversity.
• It can positively influence waste reduction.
• It has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
• It fosters community citizenship.

With all of these benefits, it's not hard to see why urban farming has become so popular in many of the nation's largest cities. Detractors often say that urban farming reduces the availability of open spaces in densely populated cities which can lead to the reduction of new housing developments. This is a valid point. However, as long as urban farms are carefully coordinated to ensure long-term sustainability, there's really no downside.

If you're interested in getting involved in urban farming in your area, check out this link.

Or, if you want to find out more about the benefits of urban farming, click here.

Happy farming!