One of the efforts which has considerable promise is urban agriculture. Growing Power, which has its headquarters in Milwaukee, is perhaps, one of the most successful urban agricultural projects in North America; if nothing else it is likely the best known.
Urban agriculture and the role it can play in creating strong, sustainable local economies, especially when coordinated with appropriate renewable energy projects, has interested me for a number of years now.
I am currently reading a book that I must recommend to anyone who wants to give some thought to the possibilities that urban agriculture can offer, and the reasons why growing food in the city is a vital idea — one worth serious consideration, development, and research.
The Vertical Farm, Feeding the World in the 21st Century, by Dr. Dickson Despommier, presents a vision both philosophical and practical that has the ability to alter how we see farming.
This quote from the inside cover of the book jacket is inspiration enough for anyone who senses that urban agriculture has potential is sufficient reason to pick up a copy and find out were the author is taking the idea of growing food in buildings whose size is usually associated with office towers and high rise condos.
“Imagine a world where every town has its own local food source grown in the safest way possible, where no drop of water or particle of light is wasted…”
I borrowed my copy from the local public library; get one and let your imagination out for a ride. We can make major strides to reducing poverty, what is first required is that we believe this is possible. Despommier's book fuels that belief.