OBJECTIVE
Students will explore alternative agriculture mthods occurring in urban environments. Students will work in small groups to research various case studies of urban agriculture, create displays/models of the urban agriculture systems, and present to their classmates and community members.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Where does food come from?
- What foods can be grown in cities?
- Who are urban farmers?
- How can we address poverty through our food system?
- What does it mean to be “food insecure?”
RESOURCES
Urban Farming Around the World- Time Magazine
How a Rooftop Farm Feeds a City
Urban Solutions from Curitiba Brazil
Urban Farming Projects Flourishing in Boston
PROCEDURE
Introduction (30 minutes)
- Warm-Up Discussion:
- Initiate a conversation around students’ experiences with food (e.g., shopping for groceries, cooking meals).
- Introduce the essential questions, particularly focusing on urban food systems.
- Overview of Urban Agriculture:
- Present key concepts using videos such as TEDx talks and articles on urban farming globally, emphasizing the innovative methods used in cities.
Group Research Activity (2-3 class periods)
- Group Formation:
- Divide students into small groups and assign each group a case study: Curitiba, Boston, Milwaukee, NYC, or Cuba.
- Research Phase:
- Provide access to online resources, articles, and videos listed above.
- Each group will investigate their assigned city, focusing on:
- The specific urban agricultural practices used.
- The impact on local food security and poverty.
- Innovations that distinguish their urban farming approach.
- Discussion Questions:
- What challenges does urban farming face in your city?
- How do these practices help address food insecurity?
Creation of Displays/Models (1-2 class periods)
- Design Phase:
- Groups will create a display or model that represents their urban agricultural system. This can include posters, dioramas, or digital presentations.
- Encourage creativity by incorporating visuals, statistics, and key findings from their research.
- Preparation for Presentation:
- Groups will prepare a brief presentation summarizing their findings, focusing on the significance of their urban agricultural practices.
Presentation Day (1 class period)
- Group Presentations:
- Each group will present their displays/models to the class and invited community members.
- Allow time for Q&A after each presentation to encourage dialogue and deeper understanding.
- Reflection:
- After all presentations, facilitate a class discussion reflecting on what they learned about urban agriculture and its role in addressing food insecurity.
Assessment:
- Evaluate group displays/models based on creativity, accuracy of information, and presentation skills.
- Assess participation in discussions and group collaboration.
Closure:
- Reflect on the essential questions, discussing how their understanding of urban agriculture has evolved.
- Encourage students to consider how they can engage with local food systems in their own communities.