Sustainable Urban Food Production

Urban food production, also called "urban agriculture," means growing, processing, and selling food like fruits, vegetables, and animals in cities or nearby areas.

• Sustainable Urban Agriculture Workshops

  Why is sustainable urban food production important?

  Sustainable urban food production is important because more than half of the world’s population lives in cities that depend on outside sources for things like food and clean water. By the middle of this century, the world’s population is expected to grow by 2.5 billion people, many of whom will live in cities. For example, Florida had over 21 million people in 2018 and is expected to have more than 31 million by 2050.

  As more people move to cities, the demand for resources like food and water increases. This challenge is made worse by changes in land use, shifting climate patterns, and economic problems. Because of this, it’s very important to find ways to use resources more efficiently in cities, reduce issues, and help cities become stronger and more adaptable.

  One way to do this is by growing food locally in cities. This helps reduce the need to bring in food from far away, lowers dependence on big industrial farms, and supports long-term sustainability in urban areas.

  What is sustainability? 

  Sustainability means taking care of what we need today without making it harder for future generations to meet their needs. It involves three parts: the environment, the economy, and society. We need to balance all three to be truly sustainable.

  How does urban food production contribute to sustainability? 

  Locally grown food helps ensure people have enough to eat, allows water and nutrients to be reused, manages stormwater, protects the environment, and provides social and economic benefits like extra income, jobs, and a more diverse economy.

  At a larger scale, urban food production can reduce the impact of farming on land use and support efforts to fight climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and energy use related to transporting food.

  Urban food production in south Florida

  In South Florida, grassroots groups and businesses have promoted different kinds of urban food production like community gardens, urban farms, food forests, greenhouses, and vertical farming. These efforts address issues like food security, public health, social inequality, and worsening environmental conditions. This is especially important in South Florida, where there are 326 “food deserts” — areas where people have trouble accessing affordable, fresh, and nutritious food.

  What is the Sustainable Urban Food Production Short-course?

  This award-winning course offered by UF/IFAS Extension includes lectures, hands-on workshops, and field trips focused on sustainable urban food production. It’s designed for anyone interested in learning about urban food growing—from community gardeners and urban farmers to homeowners, teachers, entrepreneurs, and the general public—to help improve knowledge, adopt best practices, and enhance the lives of urban residents.

  The 2025 Sustainable Urban Food Production Short-course started on October 6, 2025. To find out when the next course is scheduled, follow us on Eventbrite.  

   

• The Garden Project

  The Garden

  In May 2018, the UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Volunteers started a 1/4 acre vegetable garden called “The Garden.” Their goal is to use The Garden to teach people how to grow plants in the special conditions found in urban Broward County.

  2019 Master Gardener Volunteer Legacy Grant Award

  In 2019, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Program received the 2019 Master Gardener Legacy Grant award.  

  This award honors the program’s work to teach urban agriculture. It focuses on helping teachers in Broward County learn how to start urban garden projects at schools and in communities through the Master Gardener Volunteer program.

  Learn more by watching The Garden Project

• Composting in Small Spaces

  Minimizing Food Waste in Urban Landfills

  Introduction to Worm Composting

  Videos:

  • Why Vermicomposting?
  • Building your Worm Bin (Part 1)
  • Building Your Worm Bin (Part 2)
  • Vermicomposting - Harvesting (Part 3)

  Guides:

  • Getting Started with your Worm Bin
  • What is Vermicomposting

  To learn more you may request a speaker or workshop on Composting in Small Spaces. 

• Rain Barrel Program

  Rain Barrel Program

  Did you know South Florida is one of the wettest places in the country? We get about 62 inches of rain each year! But most of this water runs off lawns and sidewalks, carrying fertilizers and chemicals into our local rivers and lakes. A rain barrel is a simple and affordable way to catch and save some of this water for later use.

  The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program teaches eco-friendly ways to care for your yard. It helps people save water by using smart watering and landscaping methods. Using a rain barrel with Florida-Friendly Landscaping can help keep your yard healthy all year long.

  UF/IFAS Extension Broward County hosts a FREE annual Rain Barrel Workshop where you can learn how to build and use a rain barrel. Attendance at the workshop is required to purchase a rain barrel through this program.

  NOTE: Before you get a rain barrel, check with your city or HOA to make sure they are allowed in your neighborhood.

  Want to learn more?

  • Subscribe to the UF/IFAS Extension Urban Horticulture Eventbrite page to be notified when the rain barrel workshop registration opens.
  • Watch a video about Rainwater Harvesting
  • Request a speaker for a rainwater lecture or workshop for your group. 

  Contact Lorna Bravo at lbravo1@ufl.edu for more information.

• UF/IFAS Solutions for Your Life - Sustainable Home Food Production

  Please visit the web page below to learn about UF/IFAS Solutions for Your Life State Initiatives regarding Sustainable Home Food Production:

  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/get-growing

• Contact Us

  For more information on any of our Sustainable Urban Food Production programs or for help with your own sustainable urban food production efforts, please contact:

   

  • Lorna Bravo, Urban Horticulture Agent II, UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County 954-756-8529 |   lbravo1@ufl.edu
  • Jiangxiao Qiu, Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Service, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center 954-577-6337 | qiuj@ufl.edu