1. Urban Farming as the New Norm
Environmental Economics
Econ 2505
Yuliya Gurevich
Professor MacDonald

2. The Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm
Grows over 50,000 pounds of organically-cultivated produce per year
Host educational tours and workshops
Absorbs 60, ,000 gallons of storm water every rainfall
Is Produce Safe to Eat?
Because of its high location produce is protected form dangerous heavy metals such as lead and automotive break pad particles
In Winter – special crops are used to add nutrition back into the soil and prevent erosion

3. Urban Farming
Community gardens, beekeeping, rooftop greenhouses, or green roofs with food growing capacity
Benefits:
Environmental
Improve air quality by minimizing emission gasses from food transportation
Plants act as natural air purifiers by absorbs certain toxins from the air
Economical
Decrease flooding because plants absorb water
Creates jobs, which improves local economy
Health Benefits
Community members have access to fresh, nutritious, affordable food
Eliminate food desserts through farmer’s markets
Improves social relationships by connecting community members

4. Why bother? World’s population is growing, demand for food goes up
- UF provides food
People are moving to urban areas – density, uneven demand for food
- Locally grown food will be in supply
Obesity
- Urban farming provides fresh, nutritious food
Climate Change
- Cleans air, reduces urban heat island effect
Storm water and sewage overflow
- Vegetated surfaces absorb rain water

5. Beekeeping
Bee populations in the last decade have been severely declined
Beekeeping has great benefits for residents and bees.
- Nearby flowers can flourish and residents can have access to local honey
- Economic Boost, U.S. generates approximately $332 million in revenue every year

6. Urban Heat Island Effect
New York City is on average 2-4 C degrees warmer than the surrounding areas creating the urban heat island effect
Roof top gardens have the potential to reduce this effect.
It increases the albedo of the surface while insulating the structure below
Which reduces the need for air conditioning

7. Urban Farming will not solve it all
Get Involved
Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, 44 Eagle St., New York, NY
Visitors can volunteer and learn about urban agriculture from the site’s Growing Chefs-trained education team
Randall’s Island Urban Farm, 20 Randall’s Island, New York, NY
Schools and community members can visit the farm to participate in free hands-on learning programs
La Finca del Sur, 138th St. and Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
While the project’s main mission is to empower minority women through economic and food sustainability, the farm and organization welcome all volunteers and participants. Visitors to La Finca del Sur can rent a bed or volunteer to work on the community farm.

8. References