The majority of our food grows on farms in rural areas, yet food production can be a thriving part of urban environments as well. Historically, gardens were a prominent feature within cities, with many people relying on gardens to grow some of their own food. Changing urban culture and farming practices throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s made growing food in the city, and especially raising small livestock, less common.
In recent years, the re-emergence of urban agriculture has taken the world by storm. An increasing number of people are looking for ways to produce more of the food they eat in an effort to be more economical and health conscious, and to foster a deeper connection to food and to nature.
Growing food close to home contributes to a sustainable city. Not only does it shorten the distance that food travels but it can be leveraged for waste water management, soil remediation, and to improve biodiversity and pollinator habitats. People who grow food are more likely to see food as a resource and divert food waste from landfills to composting. Urban agriculture builds climate resiliency by reducing individual reliance on imported foods. And according to an increasing number of urban planners, bringing nature back into cities is essential to fostering sustainable urban ecosystems.