OBJECTIVE

Students will explore alternative agriculture methods occurring in urban environments. Students will compare/contrast three different models of urban agriculture: Large indoor operations, small-scale for-profit farms, non-profit farms.

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
• The Vertical Farm
• How a rooftop farm feeds a city
• Brooklyn Grange Farm

PROCEDURE

1. Introduction: What is an Urban Farm? (10 minutes)

Objective: Introduce the concept of urban farming and set the context for the lesson.

• Begin by asking students:
  “Where does food come from?”
  Write their responses on the whiteboard. Follow up with:
  “What about food grown in cities? Can food be grown in urban environments?”
• Discussion:
  Explain that urban farming refers to the practice of growing food in urban areas, including rooftops, vacant lots, and vertical farms inside buildings.
  • Key Points to Mention:
    • Urban farming can take many forms, from small gardens to large-scale operations in buildings.
    • It can help improve food security, reduce food transportation costs, and provide fresh produce to city residents.

2. Video Exploration: Urban Farming Models (15 minutes)

Objective: Present different models of urban farming through multimedia resources.

• Video 1: Show the TEDxWindyCity video “The Vertical Farm” by Dickson Despommier (approx. 12 minutes).
  • Key Takeaways:
    • Vertical farming uses stacked layers to grow crops indoors. It allows food production in dense urban areas.
    • Vertical farms can use hydroponic or aeroponic systems to grow food with minimal water usage.
• Video 2: Show the TEDxUdeM video “How a Rooftop Farm Feeds a City” by Mohamed Hage (approx. 10 minutes).
  • Key Takeaways:
    • Rooftop farming utilizes the unused space on city rooftops to grow food.
    • It helps reduce the urban heat island effect and provides local, fresh produce to urban populations.
• After each video, ask students:
  “What did you learn about urban farming from this video?”
  Encourage students to take notes on the different farming methods shown in the videos.

3. Explore Brooklyn Grange Farm (10 minutes)

Objective: Investigate a real-world example of a successful urban farm.

• Go to the Brooklyn Grange website and explore its offerings:
  • Discuss the farm’s rooftop farm model.
  • Highlight its for-profit business structure, providing fresh produce to restaurants, local markets, and individuals.
• Discussion:
  After exploring the website, ask:
  “What makes Brooklyn Grange unique as an urban farm?”
  Encourage students to compare it to what they saw in the TED videos.

4. Comparing and Contrasting Urban Farm Models (15 minutes)

Objective: Deepen students’ understanding of different urban farm models.

• Group Activity:
  Divide the class into small groups and assign each group one of the three urban farming models:
  1. Large indoor operations (e.g., vertical farms)
  2. Small-scale for-profit farms (e.g., rooftop farms)
  3. Non-profit urban farms
  Provide each group with a handout or research material that outlines the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of their assigned model.
  • Guiding Questions for Each Group:
    • What are the key characteristics of this model?
    • What are the benefits of this model for urban areas?
    • What challenges might this model face?
    • How does this model contribute to food security and poverty alleviation?
• After 10 minutes of discussion and research, each group will present their findings to the class.
  Encourage the class to take notes on each group’s presentation.

5. Discussion: Addressing Food Insecurity and Poverty (10 minutes)

Objective: Discuss how urban farming can help address food insecurity and poverty.

• Guided Discussion:
  Ask students:
  “How do you think urban farming can help people who live in poverty?”
  • Explore the role of local food production in increasing access to fresh, healthy food in low-income neighborhoods.
  • Discuss the potential for urban farms to create jobs, promote community engagement, and reduce food deserts (areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food).

6. Closing Reflection (5 minutes)

Objective: Summarize key takeaways and allow students to reflect on what they’ve learned.

• Class Reflection: Ask students:
  • “What is one thing you learned about urban farming today?”
  • “What are some benefits of urban farming that you think are the most important?”
• Exit Ticket: Have students write a brief response to the question:
  “How could urban farming impact your community?”

Extension Ideas:

• Field Trip or Virtual Tour: Arrange a field trip to a local urban farm or take a virtual tour of a prominent urban farm (e.g., Brooklyn Grange).
• Project: Have students create a model or design of their own urban farm, using the knowledge they’ve gained about different farming methods.