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
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Objectives • What is urban agriculture? • Why is it growing? • What impact will it have? • Time for discussion 2
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION What is Urban Agriculture? 3
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION 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 4
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION What is Urban Agriculture? • Urban agriculture is not the most efficient production system • Benefits come from difference in transportation and marketing • Many other benefits 5
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION What is Urban Agriculture? • Home gardens (yardens) • Community gardens • Urban farms • Aquaculture or aquaponics 6
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Comes in all shapes and sizes 7
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Comes in all shapes and sizes 8
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Trends Contributing to Growth of Urban Agriculture • Population shifts • Vacant land in post- industrial cities • Food security • Access to fresh foods 9
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Where do you shop for food? 10
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Many Urban Areas are Food Deserts 11
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Many Urban Areas are also Food Swamps! 12
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Access to Fresh Food is also an Issue in Urban Areas 13
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Trends Contributing to Growth of Urban Agriculture Locavores! • Growth of CSA’s • Explosive growth of farmers markets • Farm to School • Institutional buying • Direct marketing by farmers 14
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Trends Contributing to Growth of Urban Agriculture • Foodie culture • Interest in provenance • Interest in knowing the farmer • Concerns related to obesity and inactivity • Food safety concerns 15
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture • Food security increases • Food access increases • Creates an oasis in food deserts and an island in food swamps 16
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture • Promotes physical activity • Reduces obesity rate 17
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture 18
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture Additional green space: • Reduces urban heat island effect • Sequesters additional carbon • Reduces storm water runoff 19
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Storm Water Management 20
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION • Diverts organic waste from landfill • Recycles nutrients and reduces synthetic fertilizer use • Reduces insect breeding areas 21
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION • Promotes sense of community • Decreases crime • Raises property values • Reduces cost of community services 22
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION 23
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION • Repurposes vacant land • Provides jobs and improves economy • Develops entrepreneurs • Source of vocational training 24
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture 25
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture 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 26
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture 27
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Benefits of Urban Agriculture 28
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Concerns Wildlife and rodents 29
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Which Conditions Attract Wildlife and Rodents? 30
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Concerns • Wildlife and rodents • Food safety • Soil contamination • Good neighbor issues 31
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION 32
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Concerns • Potable water • Offsite movement of nutrients or contaminants • Educational needs of new producers • Others?? 33
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Barriers to Growth of Urban Agriculture • Zoning and local ordinances • Public policy • Research on production topics 34
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION 35
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION The Future Agriculture can be a tool to redevelop urban areas and develop local economies. 36
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION 37
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION 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 38
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION The Culture of Agriculture 39
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Summary • Urban agriculture is growing in Ohio • Urban agriculture can have positive impacts on: Economy Environment Human health Community 40
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION For More Information www.extension.osu.edu hogan.1@osu.edu 41
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Questions?? 42
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