When I first heard the terms sustainability and sustainable agriculture, I rightly surmised that they had something to do with the environment. It made sense that I could not exhaust the soil and deplete natural resources if I wanted to run a sustainable operation. But I quickly learned that full sustainability goes beyond environmental concerns, taking into consideration time, energy and finances. In other words, a truly sustainable system is ecologically sound and it does not exhaust the farmer, nor deplete his or her economic resources. (Read more in Chapter Nine of City Farming: A How-to Guide to Growing Crops and Raising Livestock in Urban Spaces.)
TIPS FOR GOING BEYOND SUSTAINABILITY ON YOUR FARM
Sunken Gardens Conserve Water in Phoenix
20160517_102230
School Gardens & Farm Education at Youth Farm
School Gardens Teach Teens and Young Adults to Farm Interview with Molly, co-manager of The Youth Farm school gardens and teaching farm (Brooklyn, NY) On a cool April day, one month prior to the peak growing season, Lewis and I visited one NYC’s most visionary urban farms, The Youth Farm […]
Edible Landscaping at Longevity Gardens
Arizona Homeowner Grows Beautiful and Productive Edible Landscaping: Interview with Jake Mace of Longevity Gardens (Phoenix, AZ) You have an amazing farm and beautiful edible landscaping. How did you get started? I really didn’t know what I was doing, and I really made a ton of mistakes. So basically, two […]
Backyard Permaculture at Rodman Farm
Backyard Permacuture with Urban Farmer Heather Rodman The internet is a wonderful tool for connecting with like-minded folks. I recently asked a question online about Tattler canning lids, and received a wonderful reply from Heather Rodman. Her response piqued my interest in her farm. I discovered that Heather is a […]
Urban Farm Design on Slope at Edge of Urban Farm
Urban Farm Design with Scott Murray Interview with Scott Murray at Edge of Urban Farm on Urban Farm Design We’re on our Edge of Urban Farm in Vista, California and it’s a 1.2 acre site that we’ve developed about three-quarters of an acre as a micro farm. And at times, […]
Start a Farm Business: Notes from Stone Hoe Gardens
Interview with Tina and Bruce Leadbetter of Stone Hoe Gardens on the history of the farm, how they manage their dairy goats, how to start a farm business, and how farm businesses evolve. (Kari) I’m here with Tina and Bruce of Stone Hoe Gardens in Phoenix, AZ to talk […]
Farm Plan at Terra Rosa Fertile Farms
Interview with Susan of Terra Rosa Fertile Farms (TERFF -Cottonwood, AZ) July 10, 2015. Susan discusses her farm plan, from permaculture design and product selection to business planning and marketing. Sue, you have a wonderful piece of property. What is currently happening at TERFF and how you are creating your […]
Grow Food & Earn College Credit and Certificates
Learn to grow food and earn college credit or certificates. If you are interested in learning to grow food, and would like to earn a degree or certificate in sustainable or urban agriculture, you are in luck. Colleges and Universities have long offered agricultural degree programs focused on industrial agriculture. […]
Profitable Farm: Economic Viability of the Farm
The ecological reasons for farming are vitally important, but they cannot create a sustainable urban farm all by themselves. In order to be truly sustainable, and urban farm must also be economically viable. And it must have a strong network of supporters who are committed to carrying out the farm’s mission […]
Start a Farm: Business Planning for Farmers
Start a Farm Off Right! Whether your intent for starting an urban farm is for-profit, non-profit or strictly for personal benefit, a taking the time to prepare a business plan when you start a farm is a key component to the success of your operation. The process of preparing the […]
Start a Farm Business: Notes from Stone Hoe Gardens
Interview with Tina and Bruce Leadbetter of Stone Hoe Gardens on the history of the farm, how they manage their dairy goats, how to start a farm business, and how farm businesses evolve. (Kari) I’m here with Tina and Bruce of Stone Hoe Gardens in Phoenix, AZ to talk […]
Sell Eggs for Profit from Your Backyard
Sell Eggs from Profit, Right Out of Your Backyard Demand for naturally grown, wholesome foods is rising. Even city-folk are choosing to grow and raise some of what they eat, right in their own backyards. Urban hens are becoming quite popular. Some chicken-keepers choose to offset the cost of raising […]
Farm Tour: Hosting Visitors at Your Urban Farm
Any urban farmer knows that once the word gets out, people will want to see first-hand what you are doing to grow and raise food in the city. The Micro Farm Project welcomes visitors to the farm. We love to share what we do with the public, and host a […]
