Abstract
Often, the question of urban agriculture is posed as: “Is it realistic to grow food in urban areas?” This is a critically important question. Yet I start by posing a dramatically different discussion: “When oil gets scarce and expensive, how would any city survive unless it grows much of its own food?” I’ll address the first question indirectly, by taking a close look at the second. My approach will be quite impressionistic, relying upon direct experiences I have had, rather than systematic study. I will touch upon the history of urban and rural agriculture, look atfood security issues, then outline food-growing initiatives in several U.S. cities today. I will also draw some lessons from The Netherlands and Japan. By considering peri-urban areas as part of the urban network, I hope to avoid a polarized discussion.
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Notes
- 1.
Note also that local foods networks, such as the Ten Rivers Food Web in Oregon, have used this term for years.
- 2.
See http://www.ams.usda.gov/; Farmers Markets and Local Food Marketing/Food Hub Research , Releases, Blog Posts, and Articles.
- 3.
- 4.
The U.S. spends an estimated $176 billion covering the direct medical costs associated with overweightness, diabetes, and related conditions, according to the American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy/news-events/cost-of-diabetes.html.
- 5.
The classic “solution” given for what has unfortunately been termed “food deserts,” a term that is offensive to many low-income residents since it focuses on shortcomings rather than assets. Further, the definition suggests that siting a grocery store will reduce structural poverty.
- 6.
The school year of the future may be designed around the need to keep the school’s farm running effectively as an educational vehicle, as well as a source of food for school nutrition programs.
- 7.
Johnson Family Farm has reportedly ceased operation since this chapter was written.
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Meter, K. (2016). The Long Tradition of Urban Agriculture in the U.S.: And Its Future. In: Hodges Snyder, E., McIvor, K., Brown, S. (eds) Sowing Seeds in the City. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7456-7_4
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