What is urban farming

Beyond selling simply farm produce, you can also venture into value-added products. By transforming the raw farm products into food, personal care, craft products and more. Value added products can help boost your income and expand the market season. Deciding to get involved in creating new products generally calls for a long-term commitment in that it requires additional capital for infrastructure, compliance with food safety and labeling requirements, liability insurance, and marketing.

All you need is to educate yourself on the abundant resources on urban farming found online. Today there are many small businesses popping up across America focusing on urban farming. The demand is not only for green thumbs but also for people with sales, marketing and other skills in the value chain. If you can reach large production capacity look towards a business to business farming model.

This is a business method that farmers use when producing agricultural products to supply business clients. Businesses prefer to deal with farmers directly for the low cost and quality by getting produce directly from the source. Examples of business clients are grocery stores and restaurants that re-sell these products in their original or processed form to customers. The key to profits is creating a niche for your business. While creating your business plan, be sure to include opportunities to get small business grants to help fund your new venture.

For this reason, always look towards diversifying your revenue streams and build strong relationships with your customers. Urban farming is all about making the most of the space you have. You can start off using your own garden to start growing food, and may eventually expand and start growing on other plots in your area. Having an urban farming business can be particularly satisfying as you get to make your own contribution to making the world a better place as well.

Image: Depositphotos. As with most farming, one of the biggest determinants of success will be the price you can get for your product. If the local community is willing to pay a slightly higher price than the local Walmart or supermarket who is probably importing from Mexico or Latin America then it can work.

More than farming, there is a growing interest in growing plants and herbs in general. This has led to new businesses in this area thriving. All rights reserved. What is Urban Farming and is it Profitable? Share on Facebook. Share on Flipboard. Share on LinkedIn. Relationship between consumer behavior and success of urban agriculture.

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Through urban farm programs that educate and inform, many people will get involved and be more aware of how local food systems and processes are made and distributed. As a result, alternatives to food sources are created and access to fresh food is made easier. Learn another form of agriculture: What is Regenerative Agriculture? Sign up here for our Food Systems Forum from Jul! Agriculture Agriculture. Commerce Commerce. Technology Technology. What is Urban Farming? Urban farming can also include animal husbandry e.

Urban farms can also contribute to the revitalization of abandoned or underutilized urban land, social and economic benefits to urban communities, and beneficial impacts on the urban landscape" EPA. Focuses on brownfield redevelopment for urban agriculture projects. Outlines steps for starting a project; links to success stories and current urban agriculture projects; identifies information and resources available from federal agencies and non-governmental organizations; posts frequent questions and answers; and identifies presentations and other educational materials.

National Center for Appropriate Technology. Urban farmers and gardeners are creating new opportunities for increasing the economic, social, and environmental effects of growing food in and around cities. There are many benefits to growing food in urban areas, such as fewer food miles, improved food access, and education and training opportunities.