Urban Ag starts with a strong desire and passion to bring about real change in all distressed communities or food deserts across America. Over twenty-seven cities have adopted Urban Ag ordinances to support and encourage residents to grow food for themselves and families for profit. Urban farming and economic development should include creating community gardens, farmers markets, food hubs along with after school programs, for the next generation of Veggielantes to thrive.
Urban agriculture is a term that describes a range of food-growing practices in urbanized areas. We promote indoor farming using 21st century technology to grow more food utilizing smaller spaces and 90% less water. There are many unidentified ways to describe urban agriculture and the various activities that involves growing food on public land in ‘urbanized’ environments, including cities, suburbs or small towns.
Urban farms are larger-scale, more intensive sites and may include entrepreneurial opportunities such as growing food in container gardens, indoors, outdoors, on rooftops, patios as well as through other tech innovations. Worm farming, bee keeping and aquaponic systems are more suitable for 21st century growing in cities.
Leasing city property is a good way for a public agency to evaluate whether the proposed use will be sustainable over time. If, after a successful term, the community partner wishes to buy the property, the public agency will be much more likely to enter negotiations if it has a favorable opinion of both the project and the partnering organization. Some cities have created tax incentive zones for property owners to lease to members of the community for a tax credit. Urban agriculture promotes healthy food, civic participation, public safety, and job skills for 21st century Agriprenuers to engage in without obtaining a formal education.