Skip to main content
Skip to main content

Sustainable Urban Food Production

Urban food production (also known as “urban agriculture”) is broadly defined as growing, processing, and distribution of food (e.g., crops, livestock, etc.) for the urban market both within and on the fringe of urban areas.

Click on the tabs below for more information on our Sustainable Urban Food Production programs and to learn more about how you can apply these methods in your own home. 

  • Southeast Regional Master Gardener Volunteer Virtual Conference 2020

    Photo of a big tomato on a conference announcement

     

    CONFERENCE RESOURCES

  • Sustainable Urban Agriculture Workshops

    Why is sustainable urban food production important?

    More than half of the people in the world live 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, with many of them living in cities. Florida, which is the third most populated state in the U.S., 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 problem gets worse because of changes in how land is used, climate change, and economic ups and downs. Because of this, it’s very important to find ways to use resources more efficiently in cities, reduce problems, 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 doing things in a way that meets our needs today without making it harder for future generations to meet their needs. It has three important parts: the environment, the economy, and society. To achieve sustainability, we need to find a balance between all three at the same time.

    How does urban food production contribute to sustainability? 

    At the local level, growing food in cities helps make sure 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 for families, jobs, and a more diverse economy.

    On a larger scale, from regional to global, urban food production can help reduce changes in land use caused by farming and support efforts to fight climate change. It does this by lowering harmful effects like greenhouse gas emissions and energy use that come from transporting and importing food.

    Interested in urban food production in south Florida?  

    Incipient grass-root and business interests have advocated for different forms of urban food production (e.g., community garden, urban-adjacent farm, food forests, greenhouse production, vertical farming) across south Florida (see figure below on selected representative sites) for addressing food security issues, public health, elevated social inequality, and worsening environmental conditions. Developing local food production is of particular relevance for south Florida, where food security is now becoming a major concern with 326 identified “food deserts” where residents have difficulty in accessing affordable, fresh, and nutritious food.  

    What is the Sustainable Urban Food Production Short-course? 

    This comprehensive UF/IFAS Extension short course includes a series of lectures and hands-on workshops and field trips centered on sustainable urban food production. It is geared for anyone (e.g., community gardeners, urban farmers, homeowners, school teachers, entrepreneurs, general public) interests in increasing the knowledge and awareness and adopting best management practices related to urban food production, and enhancing the livelihoods of urban residents.  

    This short-course was delivered in 2019 and anticipated to continue annually. The course collaborates between Dr. Jiangxiao Qiu from UF Fort Lauderdale Research Center and UF/IFAS Extension agents (Lorna Bravo in Broward County, and Jessica Ryals in Collier County).

  • The Garden Project

    The Garden

    UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Volunteers began a 1/4 acre Master Gardener Volunteer Demonstration Vegetable Garden (“The Garden”) in May 2018. The team’s mission is to use “The Garden” as an educational outreach that demonstrates solutions to the unique growing condition of urban Broward County. 

    2019 Master Gardener Volunteer Legacy Grant Award Recipients

    Did you know that In 2019, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Program received the 2019 Master Gardener Legacy Grant award? 

    This award recognizes the importance of urban agriculture education, with an emphasis on educating Broward County teachers on implementing urban agriculture initiatives through UF/IFAS Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteer education program for community and school urban garden efforts. (Check out our blog article HERE for more information on the award.)

    Introduction to The Garden Project

    Sustainable Home Gardening Projects

     

     

     

  • CRUNCH

    What is the Florida CRUNCH?

    The Florida CRUNCH is a one-day event organized by schools across the state to celebrate National Farm to School Month.

    It raises awareness of Florida-grown produce and healthy eating by highlighting one fruit or vegetable for students to learn about and sample in a taste test. 

    The event encourages schools to serve more Florida-grown produce in the cafeteria throughout the year. 

     

    Farm to School

     

    2020 Florida CRUNCH

     

  • Hydroponics Systems

    South Florida Hydroponic Initiative

    Award Certificate for hydroponic initiative

    Photos of hydroponic system setups

    Participants in hydroponic initiative

    Broward County Master Gardener Volunteers Evaluate UF/IFAS Lettuce Lines Grown Hydroponically

    Final summary of lettuce lines research project

    Master gardeners building their own floating beds

    Slide about Hydroponics project

  • Vermicomposting

    Introduction to Vermicomposting

     

  • Rain Barrel Program

    Rainwater Harvesting

    Did you know that South Florida is one of the wettest areas of the country? South Florida receives an average of 62 inches of rainfall per year. Most of this water washes off green lawns and pavements carrying fertilizers and other chemicals into local waterways. A rain barrel is an inexpensive way of capturing and storing some of this water for later use.

    The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program promotes several environmentally friendly landscaping practices intended to protect natural resources with proper maintenance and water-wise irrigation. The program helps residents conserve water by adopting and installing water-conservation practices and technologies in their home landscapes. Incorporating water harvested in a rain barrel with Florida-Friendly landscaping will help you enjoy your Florida landscape year-round. Check with your city Code Inspection and HOA to be sure rain barrels are allowed.

    Rainwater Harvesting 

    Interested in Obtaining a Rain Barrel? 

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

    Interested in Testing your Rain Barrel Water Quality? 

    Please, Contact Lorna Bravo, Lbravo1@ufl.edu for more information

    Rain Barrel Water Testing Form

    Interested in a Rain Barrel Workshop for your group?

    Please, check back for updates on future Rain Barrel Workshops. 

  • 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

Contact Us

Lorna Bravo Urban Horticulture Agent II (954) 756-8529 lbravo1@ufl.edu

UF/IFAS Broward County Extension 3245 College Avenue Davie, FL 33314

(954) 756-8550

Urban Horticulture Menu

Helpful Links

Help Desk

Landscape questions and photos can be emailed to: browardmg@ifas.ufl.edu

If you would like to talk to a Master Gardener please call: (954) 756-8533

Want to help support the Urban Horticulture Program?