Three Rooftop Farmers Reflect On Social Benefits

We run a farming operation which I’m really proud of, and grow nearly 100,000 lbs of nutritious vegetables every year

Living Architecture Monitor
Jan 20, 2020

Excerpt:

Just ten years ago, you could count the number of rooftop farms on one hand! Now there are perhaps forty. This is no doubt due to the fact that rooftop farmers are not only resilient bunch, but the ultimate multi-taskers too. Rooftop farming is still very much in its infancy, yet these farms are already making a unique and multifaceted contribution to the communities they serve. Three outstanding urban farmers from different region’s reflect on the social aspects of what they do, in this special 20th Anniversary Edition of On the Roof With….. Arlene Throness, Farm Manager, Ryerson University, Toronto; Jamie Wallace, Director of Operations, Urban Harvest STL, St. Louis; and Ben Flanner, Co-Founder and CEO, Brooklyn Grange, New York City.

LAM: In what ways does growing food on the roof also meet or support social objectives, like education, justice, and engagement?

AT: In addition to the abundant harvest, one of the greatest advantages of having a rooftop farm here on the Ryerson University campus is the opportunity for people to enjoy the space, meet other garden enthusiasts and learn practical skills in urban farming. We had over 800 people visit the farm this year. It’s a rare opportunity, located in the heart of Toronto’s downtown core, for people to interact with soil, plants, insects, birds and microbes. It’s easy to forget we’re on a roof!

JW: Education and engagement is a huge component of what we do- we educate the community on urban agriculture, equitable food access for underserved communities, and on the importance of eating fresh, local foods. In 2019 we graduated 37 interns from our Leadership in Urban Agriculture program and had nearly 700 students visit on field trips. In total, this year we have welcomed over 2,700 visitors- whether they were visiting for educational purposes, attending an event, or just satisfying their curiosity about a rooftop farm!

Complete article here.

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