research essay
Amie Ha
Professor Willis
English 1101
July 17, 2013
Research Essay
Urban Farming:
A Better City, A Better Community, A Better Life. Most people think of peaceful countryside with rolling hills of corn or golden fields of wheat when they think of farming. They think of rural areas where food is grown and shipped around the world either by semi-trucks, trains, or ships. Farming have now graduated beyond the farming slopes of the countryside and into the backyard and limited space of city dwellers. By definition, that is what urban farming is all about. It is the practice of planting and harvesting crops in densely populated areas such as cities and towns. This practice is not new however; it has existed as long as people have lived in cities, only now it has become a hot topic due to the explosive growth in population that nations everywhere are facing. According to the United States Census Bureau for 2012, urban areas account for 80.7 percent of total populations (1). This trend of urban growth is not only in the US alone but all over the world. With the recent economic downturn and instability, problems such as poverty and food insecurity are becoming burgeoning factors for those living in such areas. The rapid shift of populations from rural to suburban and urban areas makes coping difficult as resources are depleted at a higher rate and job opportunities are scarce. Because these developments are fairly recent, government policy makers have not been able to implement adequate measures to help those who are struggling to keep up with the trend. These issues are felt most by the urban poor because they lack the mean to access resources and the education to put them in a job that will secure them proper incomes. Urban farming not only help with food security and health issues, it can also be an environmental manager and help increase social integration within the community. As with all new developments, there are skepticisms in regard to urban
Professor Willis
English 1101
July 17, 2013
Research Essay
Urban Farming:
A Better City, A Better Community, A Better Life. Most people think of peaceful countryside with rolling hills of corn or golden fields of wheat when they think of farming. They think of rural areas where food is grown and shipped around the world either by semi-trucks, trains, or ships. Farming have now graduated beyond the farming slopes of the countryside and into the backyard and limited space of city dwellers. By definition, that is what urban farming is all about. It is the practice of planting and harvesting crops in densely populated areas such as cities and towns. This practice is not new however; it has existed as long as people have lived in cities, only now it has become a hot topic due to the explosive growth in population that nations everywhere are facing. According to the United States Census Bureau for 2012, urban areas account for 80.7 percent of total populations (1). This trend of urban growth is not only in the US alone but all over the world. With the recent economic downturn and instability, problems such as poverty and food insecurity are becoming burgeoning factors for those living in such areas. The rapid shift of populations from rural to suburban and urban areas makes coping difficult as resources are depleted at a higher rate and job opportunities are scarce. Because these developments are fairly recent, government policy makers have not been able to implement adequate measures to help those who are struggling to keep up with the trend. These issues are felt most by the urban poor because they lack the mean to access resources and the education to put them in a job that will secure them proper incomes. Urban farming not only help with food security and health issues, it can also be an environmental manager and help increase social integration within the community. As with all new developments, there are skepticisms in regard to urban
Cited: 2. Baker, Judy. Urban Poverty: A Global View. DC, Washington. World Bank. 2008. Web London: Earthscan, 2010. Web. 11 July 2013. RUAF Foundation. 2004. Web. 11 July 2013.