Spring 2024: The Urban Agriculture Issue

This article begins to make the case for increased public policy and private investment on a wide range of approaches to producing food in our urban environments in the face of climate change threats to food security. 

Rooftops can provide an abundance of produce to fight food insecurity and support biodiversity too. Check out the new rooftop Orchard and Food Forest at Javits Farm in New York City. 

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with microbiologist and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Dr. Dickson Despommier to discuss his pioneering work and thought leadership on vertical farming.

Bird populations are an indicator of ecosystem health. Birds are in decline worldwide primarily due to the destruction and degradation of their habitat by humans. By design, green roofs can be planted to feed and shelter birds. This article reviews how green roofs have been planted to recover habitats for feeding birds.

Explore urban agriculture's potential in European policy. Understand how to address food security, environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for innovation and sustainable urban development.

The synergy between PACE Financing and green roofs/stormwater infrastructure for energy efficiency in commercial buildings is discussed. Eligibility, funding coverage, and successful projects like the Belt Line Center are highlighted, emphasizing financial and environmental benefits.

Detailed information about the growing of various herbs on the harsher green roof environment at the Colorado State University Spur Campus.

This article chronicles Farmer Ben’s design build journey into rooftop farming in the San Francisco Bay Area and some of the lessons learned along the way.

Not Far from the Tree is a proven model for harvesting the many trees that would otherwise drop their tasty fruits onto the ground in cities.

Learn about the many uses of accessible green roofs for students in New York City and beyond, and how access to rooftop greenery supports their physical and mental health and well being. 

Urban and rooftop farming meets demand for fresh produce. Study at BMC Rooftop Farm explores green roof media's impact on crop cultivation, energy use, and water retention. Initial findings and future directions discussed.

The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities update highlights new training courses, awards submissions, upcoming events, certifications, and new members in the green roof industry, emphasizing integration, innovation, and professional development opportunities.

Urban agriculture offices promote local produce in cities, like rooftop farms in New York and San Francisco. Washington D.C.'s Office of Urban Agriculture aims to expand food production, integrate landscapes, and educate communities, aligning with sustainability goals and fostering economic activity.

As someone who is passionate about sustainable practices and eager to advance in the environmental industry, the decision to enroll in the hands on Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) Training and Certification just made sense. Learn more about the new GRIMP training and certification.

This article chronicles research conducted to better understand the relation between growing media content, fertilization and irrigation on rooftop crop yields, an area of research with little peer review work.

With contributions from Emily Ahlstedt and Nicole Semeraro, Andrew Mihalchick provides a concise overview of the reasons for proactive maintenance and an outline of the major tasks involved and why they are worth doing. 

This paper evaluates carbon sequestration on green roofs. Results suggest shallower beds with native grasses may offset deeper beds, aiding climate mitigation with proper irrigation.