Urban Agriculture
- 800 million people are involved in urban agriculture worldwide
- According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), urban poor consumers spend between 60 and 80 percent of their income on food
- By 2015, about 26 cities in the world are expected to have a population of 10 million or more. To feed a city of this size, at least 6000 tons of food must be imported each day
510.655.1304
6031 Christie Ave., Emeryville, CA 94608 (by appointment only)
info@upinderoots.org
Copyright Urban VOICE 2010. All rights reserved.
The following video is a part of Midwest Permaculture's Free Internet Webinar Series. It shows great examples of how to use urban
space to grow beautiful gardens and farms in the city. Check out more videos at our Upinde ROOTS YouTube Channel or www.midwestpermaculture.com.
In 2007, the worlds population shifted its majority from rural regions to urban centers. By 2030, 70% of all humans will be living in metropolitan areas. So the idea that our most basic needs must travel an average of 1500 miles begins to seem rather absurd, wasteful, harmful, and expensive.
Urban agriculture can be defined simply as the growing of plants and the raising of animals within and around cities. It is generally practiced for income-earning or food-producing activities though in some communities the main impetus is recreation and relaxation.
Urban agriculture contributes to food security and food safety in two ways:
1) It increases the amount of local food available to people living in cities; and
2) It allows fresh and safe vegetables, fruits and meat products to be made available to urban consumers.
The most striking feature of urban agriculture is that it is integrated into the urban economic and ecological system: urban agriculture is embedded in -and interacting with- the urban ecosystem. In fact, studies have shown urban agriculture has led to an increase in entrepreneurial activities and job opportunities, caused a reduction in food costs and led to products of better quality.
Urban agriculture is not a relict of the past that will fade away (urban agriculture increases when the city grows) nor brought to the city by rural immigrants that will loose their rural habits over time. It is an integral part of the urban system.
Upinde ROOTS is committed to providing urban dwellers with a viable way to grow their own healthy organic food as a means to develop economic self-sufficiency. We achieve this through educational workshops, community micro-farms, outreach, and social media.
Urban agriculture can be defined simply as the growing of plants and the raising of animals within and around cities. It is generally practiced for income-earning or food-producing activities though in some communities the main impetus is recreation and relaxation.
Urban agriculture contributes to food security and food safety in two ways:
1) It increases the amount of local food available to people living in cities; and
2) It allows fresh and safe vegetables, fruits and meat products to be made available to urban consumers.
The most striking feature of urban agriculture is that it is integrated into the urban economic and ecological system: urban agriculture is embedded in -and interacting with- the urban ecosystem. In fact, studies have shown urban agriculture has led to an increase in entrepreneurial activities and job opportunities, caused a reduction in food costs and led to products of better quality.
Urban agriculture is not a relict of the past that will fade away (urban agriculture increases when the city grows) nor brought to the city by rural immigrants that will loose their rural habits over time. It is an integral part of the urban system.
Upinde ROOTS is committed to providing urban dwellers with a viable way to grow their own healthy organic food as a means to develop economic self-sufficiency. We achieve this through educational workshops, community micro-farms, outreach, and social media.
