Vitalizing the Vacant: The Logistics and Benefits of Middle- to Large-Scale Agricultural Production in Urban Land

Troy Gardens, Jan. 2003, Site Plan (Overall)

Annie Myers conducted a research project focused upon urban farms and city planning, for the course City Planning 252 (”Land Use Controls”)
May 2008, CP252, Professor Fred Etzel
University of California, Berkeley
Department of Urban and Regional Planning

An urban farm is considered to be one or more sites within the boundaries of a city, where the soil is cultivated for edible plants, and where the food produced is shared (whether for-profit or not, by sales or donation) with individuals other than the farmers themselves. The existing sites currently known as urban farms usually occupy a total of at least 1/4 acre (or 10,890 ft2) and have established a formal food distribution system, often selling through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), at farmers markets, and to local restaurants.

Urban farms are organized, productive, stable operations, and often serve their surrounding communities through educational workshops, job training programs, and other activities.

This study was compiled to provide planners with six existing models of urban farms, and to aid in the development of city plans that prioritize local food production. Vitalizing the Vacant considers the logistics and benefits of putting urban land into agricultural use, and highlights six farms all located within the urban boundaries of major cities across the United States.

See Anne’s complete report here.

See Anne Myers blog /Thoughts On the Table A Blog on Soil, Food, and Merry Collaboration’ here.