Urban farms are growing all around the country, improving the environment as well as the communities they are based in. These farms play a key role in providing food for urban populations, making food much healthier and less expensive to attain.
At the same time, these farms these farms make the air much cleaner and easier to breathe: an issue of growing importance in large urban areas and industrial cities.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Moving produce is the biggest contribution to carbon emissions. Produce must be transported from remote rural areas to urban centers. This is where urban farms become important, as they reduce the need for moving produce to the city. In fact, they offer the produce directly to those who need it most. This cuts costs for farmers as well, since they don’t need to invest in transport and storage.
Changing Technologies
Farming has always depended on technology, and those within in the industry should always be on the lookout for new developments in tech. Urban farms must be particularly innovative with the technology they use, due to limited space and resources. This means that small urban farms often become innovators, to the point that larger competitors adopt their strategies.
Job Creation
Urban farms help urban populations find extra jobs and additional income, especially during the months when farms are the most active. However, it is also important for the community at large, as more jobs means more money, and therefore more purchasing power. Stronger income spreads to areas such as tax revenue, resulting in stronger communities overall. This is especially true if the jobs target communities that need them the most.
Building Communities
Purchasing from a local farmer is quite different than going to your local grocery store. Produce is healthier, grown in more eco-friendly ways, and you get to know the farmer and their methods. This is something you can’t put a price on, and is a great deal for all parties involved. It also means the people living in an area will be much more closely connected.
Public Health
Public health is a matter of public interest. Where our food comes from should be a matter of planned public policy, and urban farms must be made a part of that plan.
The best way to do so is to ensure that local schools and other public facilities like food banks and public kitchens get their produce from local farms. It’s a win-win deal, both from a financial standpoint as well as public nutrition.
Education
Urban farms provide valuable education opportunities for those who work them, both as paid employees and volunteers. This education can help them get a job in the industry, either on a traditional farm or a more modern, sustainable one.
Conclusion
Urban farms are becoming more prominent, offering benefits for both the environment and the communities they serve. They tend to offer better service, healthier produce and new career options for those who work them and rely on their services.