The Promise of Urban Agriculture National Study of Commercial Farming in Urban Areas Report Authors Dr. Anu Rangarajan and Molly Riordan Federal Project Lead Samantha Schaffstall August 2019 A Preferred Citation Rangarajan, A., & Riordan, M. (2019). The Promise of Urban Agriculture: National Study of Commercial Farming in Urban Areas. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Marketing Service and Cornell University Small Farms Program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. B Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 1 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 1: The Promise of Urban Agriculture ................................................................................. 5 Types of Urban Farms ................................................................................................................................6 Exploring Commercial Urban Agriculture ..................................................................................................7 Structure of the Report ..............................................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Study Methods .............................................................................................................. 9 Understanding Perspectives on Commercial Urban Agriculture ..............................................................9 Selection of Commercial Urban Agriculture Case Study Farms ................................................................10 Case Study Interview Protocol .................................................................................................................11 Interviews of Other Urban Agriculture Farmers and Supporters .............................................................12 Chapter 3: Case Study Briefs ..........................................................................................................13 Mycopolitan Mushroom Company, Philadelphia, PA ...............................................................................19 Little City Gardens, San Francisco, CA .....................................................................................................20 Karen Fresh Gardens, Kansas City, KS ......................................................................................................21 Our School at Blair Grocery, New Orleans, LA ..........................................................................................22 Rising Pheasant Farm, Detroit, MI ...........................................................................................................23 Growing Home, Chicago, IL ......................................................................................................................24 Brother Nature Produce, Detroit, MI .......................................................................................................25 Side Yard Farm, Portland, OR ...................................................................................................................26 Wilson Street Urban Farm, Buffalo, NY ....................................................................................................27 Love Is Love Farm at Gaia Gardens, Decatur, GA .....................................................................................28 Springdale Farm, Austin, TX .....................................................................................................................29 Brooklyn Grange, Brooklyn and Queens, NY ............................................................................................30 Mellowfields Urban Farm, Lawrence, KS ..................................................................................................31 Green City Growers, Cleveland, OH .........................................................................................................32 Chapter 4: Exploring Commercial Urban Farm Viability ..................................................................33 Farmer Training and Information Networks .............................................................................................33 Business Structure ...................................................................................................................................34 i Gross and Net Revenue ............................................................................................................................34 Business Strategy and Risk Management.................................................................................................37 Crop Choice ..................................................................................................................................37 Season Extension ..........................................................................................................................38 Markets and Income Streams ..................................................................................................................40 Farm Product Sales Channels ........................................................................................................40 Income from Related Farm Activities ............................................................................................41 Grants and Gifts ............................................................................................................................41 Expenses ..................................................................................................................................................42 Land and Infrastructure ................................................................................................................42 Labor .............................................................................................................................................44 Volunteers .....................................................................................................................................45 Taxes, Utilities, and Other Costs ...................................................................................................45 Net Revenues or Profit .............................................................................................................................47 Comparisons With Rural Farms of Small Size ...........................................................................................47 Recommendations and Considerations for Commercial Urban Farm Viability ........................................48 Chapter 5: Urban Farms as Social Enterprises ................................................................................53 Defining Social Enterprise ........................................................................................................................53 Social Entrepreneurship and Business Incorporation in Commercial Urban Farming ..................53 Benefits to People: Education .......................................................................................................55 Benefits to Planet: Ecological Stewardship ...................................................................................55 Cost of Social Enterprise ..........................................................................................................................56 Seeking Support for Social Enterprise ......................................................................................................57 Strengthening Urban Agriculture Social Impact by Bridging Approaches ...............................................58 Recommendations and Considerations for Supporting Urban Agriculture as Social Enterprises ............59 Chapter 6: The Promise and Challenges of Controlled Environment Agriculture in Cities ...............61 Help Wanted ............................................................................................................................................61 Trade Secrets ............................................................................................................................................62 Environmental Costs ................................................................................................................................63 Marketing Controlled Environment Agriculture Products .......................................................................63 Locating Controlled Enivronment Agriculture .........................................................................................64 Recommendations and Considerations to Advance Controlled Environment Agriculture ......................65 ii Chapter 7: Sustaining Commercial Urban Agriculture through Policy .............................................67 Legalizing Urban Agriculture: Urban Agriculture Ordinances ..................................................................67 Regulating Urban Agriculture ...................................................................................................................68 Site Requirements: Parking, Sidewalks, Signage ..........................................................................69 Farm Buildings ..............................................................................................................................69 Water ............................................................................................................................................70