ohio state university extension · 2017-02-23 · ohio state university extension urban...

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

URBAN AGRICULTURE: Can American Cities Feed Themselves?

Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer Training

January 29, 2016

Mike Hogan

Extension Educator & Associate Professor Ohio State University Extension – Franklin County

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Objectives

• What is urban agriculture? • Why is it growing? • What impact will it have? • Time for discussion

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What is Urban Agriculture?

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What is Urban Agriculture? • Cities and food production began

about the same time in the fertile crescent 10,000 years ago

• Some cities in other countries produce a lot of food, i.e., Cuba and Asia

• Estimates are that 15% of all food in US is produced in metro area, perhaps not in urban core

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• Urban agriculture is not the most efficient production system

• Benefits come from difference in transportation and marketing

• Many other benefits

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• Home gardens (yardens)

• Community gardens

• Urban farms

• Aquaculture or aquaponics

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Comes in all shapes and sizes

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Comes in all shapes and sizes

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Trends Contributing to Growth of Urban Agriculture

• Population shifts

• Vacant land in post-industrial cities

• Food security

• Access to fresh foods

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Where do you shop for food?

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Many Urban Areas are Food Deserts

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Many Urban Areas are also Food Swamps!

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Access to Fresh Food is also an Issue in Urban Areas

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Locavores!

• Growth of CSA’s

• Explosive growth of farmers markets

• Farm to School

• Institutional buying

• Direct marketing by farmers

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• Foodie culture

• Interest in provenance

• Interest in knowing the farmer

• Concerns related to obesity and inactivity

• Food safety concerns

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Benefits of Urban Agriculture • Food security increases

• Food access increases

• Creates an oasis in food deserts and an island in food swamps

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Benefits of Urban Agriculture • Promotes physical activity

• Reduces obesity rate

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Benefits of Urban Agriculture

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Benefits of Urban Agriculture Additional green space: • Reduces urban heat

island effect • Sequesters additional

carbon • Reduces storm water

runoff

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Storm Water Management

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• Diverts organic waste from landfill

• Recycles nutrients and reduces synthetic fertilizer use

• Reduces insect breeding areas

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• Promotes sense of community • Decreases crime • Raises property values • Reduces cost of

community services

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• Repurposes vacant land • Provides jobs and improves

economy • Develops entrepreneurs • Source of vocational training

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Human and Community Dimension: • Reconnects people to their neighbors • Reconnects urban residents to nature and

cycles of environment

• Gives people an ecological perspective and understanding of climate change, resource depletion, and other environmental issues

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Concerns Wildlife and rodents

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Which Conditions Attract Wildlife and Rodents?

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Concerns

• Wildlife and rodents • Food safety • Soil contamination • Good neighbor issues

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Concerns

• Potable water • Offsite movement of

nutrients or contaminants • Educational needs of new

producers • Others??

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Barriers to Growth of Urban Agriculture

• Zoning and local

ordinances

• Public policy

• Research on production topics

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The Future

Agriculture can be a tool to redevelop urban areas and develop local economies.

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Is Urban Agriculture Viable? Research shows that 80% of the vacant land in Cleveland could produce:

• 50% of fruits and vegetables

• 25% of poultry and eggs

• 100% of honey

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The Culture of Agriculture

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Summary

• Urban agriculture is growing in Ohio

• Urban agriculture can have positive impacts on:

Economy

Environment

Human health

Community

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For More Information

www.extension.osu.edu

[email protected]

http://www.extension.osu.edu/

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Questions??

ohio state university extension · 2017-02-23 · ohio state university extension urban...

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