Urban Farming: Reviving an Entire Community
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” - Aldo Leopold
Urban farming, unfortunately, cannot be the main solution to social exclusion, poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. However, it points out the concerns regarding access to healthy and affordable goods, providing a food security chain, as well as food waste. Moreover, some objectives of urban farming concept are going hand in hand with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, such as “Zero Hunger”, “Good Health and Well-being” and “Sustainable Cities and Communities” goals.
Urban farming is a multidimensional construct which is also advocated as a tool for achieving social sustainability. It has been re-establishing the bond between people, community, food, and the land while establishing a carbon-free food distribution system. The concept not only strengthens social bonds but also maintains cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is one of the most efficient ways to revive an entire community whereas, producing value-added products for the community and helping them to reduce the amount of processed foods consumed (Vitalyst Health Foundation, 2017).
Broadly speaking, the community benefits of urban farming might be divided into five categories: physical & mental health and wellbeing, nutritional, social, educational, and economic.
Physical & Mental Health and Wellbeing
Food production is not only a recreational activity but also an opportunity for a moderate form of physical exercise. According to research by The NHS Information Centre and Lifestyles Statistic in 2012, at least 30 minutes of moderate or intensive exercise five times per week is recommended. Garden enthusiasts and urban farmers perform low-intensity movements while involved in cultivation activities such as planting, digging, watering etc. In addition to the physical health benefits, the opportunity to interact with nature facilitates a relaxing and calming atmosphere for participants. Last but not least, agricultural activities carried out as a group also enable people in the community to mingle with each other.
Nutritional Benefits
Food insecurity is far more than just missing a meal now and then; it has long-term consequences for individuals’ health. Urban farming might be a part of the answer to achieving food security. However, its impact is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount of urban land available for farming, the existence of policies and institutions that support and promote urban farming, the cost of the food produced and resident interest in participating in growing food and making it available to populations that are vulnerable to food insecurity (Vitalyst Health Foundation, 2017). Another key point, harvesting fresh produce or accessing them in particular places like local grocery stores, may reinforce maintaining a healthier diet. Avoiding purchasing processed food may reduce the risk of obesity among urban residents while preventing food insecurity.
Social Sustainability
Urban farming offers unique opportunities for people of all ages to interact and leads to the growth of intergenerational bonds. Urban agriculture programs may serve a wide range of audiences and offer opportunities for public gardens to connect with new audiences (USBG & CBG, n.d.). These programs also increase social capital through the development of social ties. People who are isolated or from traditionally segregated groups, such as elders, disabled people, women, different ethnicity, refugees, people of other religions or educational backgrounds, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, benefit significantly from social connections.
Education and Building Skills
Successful urban farms are the physical representation of outdoor classrooms where valuable skills, like communication, responsibility and cooperation are taught. Some of the farming projects tend to offer internships, paid when it is possible, to empower youth. The urban agriculture context also prepares students to work as a team, advocate for food justice, eat in a healthy way, and become accountable — to themselves, their fellow farmers, and their employers (USBG & CBG, n.d.). Depending on the community and farm location, skills also may include learning how to use public transit for those people without cars and gaining increased English proficiency for non-English speaking individuals (Vitalyst Health Foundation, 2017).
Economic Benefits
Economic advantages of farming activities go behind stimulating a local economy through job creation, vendor, and contributing to income generation. Another fact to remember, freshly harvested products are also cheaper, and participants of urban farming activities or farming cooperatives grow food instead of buying it, which helps them to save money.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Even though urban farming concept has not rooted away social segregation, impoverishment, and undernourishment yet, it accelerates the generation of newly engaged citizens. Urban farming practices have already proven themselves in creating vibrant communities while generating economic vitality. Implementation of gardening activities has a great potential to revive an entire community and improve local economies.
Sources:
Anne C. Bellows, PhD Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Katherine Brown, PhD Southside Community Land Trust; Jac Smit, MCP The Urban Agriculture Network. A paper from members of the Community Food Security Coalition’s North American Initiative on Urban Agriculture.
Chicago Botanic Garden, The United States Botanic Garden, n.d. Building Capacity for Urban Agriculture Programs: Tools from the Windy City Harvest Model. [online] Available at: <https://www.usbg.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/urban_agriculture_toolkit_-_usbg_and_cbg.pdf> [Accessed 10 May 2022].
Corrigan, N. Community Gardening, Motivation and Health Benefits. A thesis presented towards the degree of Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics BSc (Hum Nut) at The University of Dublin, Trinity College and Technological University Dublin 2011.
Queen Mary University, 2020. Community Gardens: Health, Social & Environmental Benefits. [online] London: Seed for Growth. Available at: <https://www.seedsforgrowth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Community-Gardens-benefits-research-summary-1.pdf> [Accessed 10 May 2022].
Siewell, N., & Thomas, M. (2015). Building Sustainable Neighborhoods through Community Gardens: Enhancing Residents’ Well-being through University–Community Engagement Initiative.
The Element Group, Vitalyst Health Foundation, n.d. URBAN FARMING WORK BOOK An introduction to urban farming, from types and benefits to strategies and regulations.. [online] The Element Group, Vitalyst Health Foundation. Available at: <http://vitalysthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/WrkBk-UrbnAgrcltr-FNL-Edited.pdf> [Accessed 12 May 2022].
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