Modern agricultural model have given the human population more food supply with high efficiency, however there are issues surrounding it. The environmental damages from the use of pesticides and fertilizers; resource intensiveness of farming operations (e.g. machineries and transports); the lack of food security in heavy reliance on imported food, are just a few of the examples on why it may be time to take a serious look at alternative farming models. These two videos take a look at how some people are taking agriculture into urbanized areas and explore the intentions, technologies and the benefits behind urban agriculture.

The first video takes a look at some of the technologies behind Science Barge, a floating platform on Hudson River in New York City; it is a sustainable urban farm project. Science Barge grows plants using hydroponics and generates energy from renewable sources; uses water from the river and rainwater collection and discharges no harmful wastes by a clever nutrient recycling system. Did I mention that they are able to grow fish as well?

The second video documents the growing urban agriculture community in Atlanta. Unlike the Science Barge, the community gardens grow their produce on soil. They have come up with an alternative business model call the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) where consumers have to pay farmers upfront and can collect the food periodically, therefore the risk of crop failure is spread across consumers and the farmers.

Growing food locally in an urban setting not only allows consumers to feel safer, knowing the origins of their food, it also gave the opportunity of connecting people in the community and provides a platform to discuss about sustainability. Maybe the next farm plot could just be within our neighbourhoods.

“Sustainability is important for every decision that you make and that decision that you do make is dependent on where you are and what is available to you”