Urban farming combines innovative agricultural techniques with city spaces to create sustainable local food systems. From small-scale market gardens to advanced controlled environments, urban farming is transforming how we think about food production in metropolitan areas.
At UGA Extension, we support three key approaches to help meet the growing demand for locally-produced food while adapting to urban constraints and environmental challenges:
Small-Scale Farming
Small-scale urban farming can include market gardens, rooftop farms, raised bed gardening, high tunnel production, and other intensive food production systems in urban areas. These farms can provide fresh produce to local markets, restaurants, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
SMALL-SCALE FARMING
Resources
Our resources cover diverse urban growing approaches from market farming to raised beds, with guidance on connecting small producers to local markets through food hubs and direct sales opportunities.
Furman, C., Gaskin, J., Papavasilou, F., Munden-Dixon, K., and Walters, L., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Westerfield, R., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Westerfield, R. and Berle, D., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Hydroponics and Aquaponics
Hydroponic and aquaponic systems allow for soil-less cultivation of plants, often in controlled environments. These methods can be particularly useful in urban areas with limited land or poor soil quality. Hydroponics involves growing plants with water that has been enriched with water soluble fertilizers rather than soil, while aquaponics involves utilizing fish or other aquatic life to supply nutrients for plants grown hydroponically.
The most common types of hydroponic systems include:
Water Culture Systems:
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
- Deep Water Culture (DWC)
- Aeroponics System or Root Mist
Substrate Culture Systems:
- Ebb-and-Flow subirrigation / Flood-Floor
- Drip System
- Wick System
Nutrient solutions are typically derived from mineral salts, however, organic nutrient solutions are also available.
HYDROPONICS AND AQUAPONICS
Resources
Drawing from multiple extension services, these resources explore various soilless growing systems, including water culture and substrate methods, with detailed guidance on nutrient solutions and system setup for both hydroponic and aquaponic operations.
Westerfield, R., and Ottinger, W., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Ferrarezi, R., University of Georgia Department of Horticulture
Sánchez, E., Di Gioia, F., Ford, T., Berghage, R., and Flax, N., Penn State Extension
Pattillo, A., North Central Regional Aquaculture Center
Shrestha, A. and Dunn, B., Oklahoma State University Extension
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is a low to high-tech farming method where environmental conditions such as light, temperature, humidity, airflow, and carbon dioxide levels are actively managed within closed or semi-closed production facilities to maximize crop yield and quality and reduce resource utilization. CEA facilities include:
- Low and high tunnels (hoop houses)
- Low and high-tech greenhouses
- Vertical farms/plant factories
These facilities are designed to decrease land use, promote agricultural diversification, and allow for lengthened or year-round cultivation of crops resulting in a more stable and sustainable food supply that is resilient to climate change. Some systems like high tunnels and shade structures rely on sunlight only, while others like greenhouses may use supplemental lighting, while indoor systems like vertical farms are driven fully by artificial lighting, most commonly LED systems.
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE (CEA)
Resources
Our publications focus on practical applications of CEA technologies in Georgia, from high tunnel tomato production to season extension using shade cloth, while highlighting emerging opportunities in vertical farming and greenhouse operations.
Cassity-Duffey, K., Diaz-Perez, J.C., and Coolong, T., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis
Pennisi, B., Dorn, S., and Thomas, P., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
CAES Newswire, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Laur, S., Donovan, M., Diaz-Perez, J.C., and Coolong, T., University of Georgia Cooperative Extension