How Cities Can Encourage Urban Farming

Urban farming is on the rise and is a beneficial approach to resolving food insecurity and environmental crises in bustling cities. However, getting this unique form of agriculture off the ground can take time and creativity. Fortunately, city officials can promote it to the community in several ways.

What Is Urban Farming?

Urban farming is an agriculture practice in densely populated cities and towns where residents repurpose or utilize unused space to grow food and raise small livestock. These farms may include community gardens, rooftop gardens, backyard gardens and more. Unlike a traditional home gardener, an urban farmer grows food to contribute to society, selling yields for a small price or giving it away for free.

City-based agriculture is widespread and critical to food security. According to one study, the practice constitutes 5%–10% of global food production.

Urban farms are also essential to low-income neighborhoods with limited access to grocery stores. Research shows that 39.5 million Americans are affected by this socioeconomic inequity. White neighborhoods have four times as many supermarkets as predominantly Black neighborhoods.

Opportunities and Challenges for Implementation

In 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture invested 14.2 million in 52 grants to promote urban agriculture. The grants enable farming initiatives, nutrition programs, and the expansion of quality food. Some of the benefits associated with urban farms include:

> Building localized, self-reliant food systems.

> Promoting sustainability and green infrastructure.

> Empowering marginalized communities.

Likewise, precision technologies and eco-friendly methods boost productivity while saving essential resources.

Of course, urban farming has its challenges. For one thing, cities offer limited space, so officials must get creative in designating viable areas for gardening and agriculture. Likewise, urban soils are polluted with heavy metals — such as copper, zinc, lead and nickel — posing a contamination risk to cultivated food and humans. 

Existing regulations blocking land use, extensive permitting processes, and poor zoning may also present difficulties in establishing urban farms, inadequate resource availability and public support.

5 Strategies for City Officials to Promote Urban Agriculture

City officials must make urban farming appealing to community members if they hope to weave it into the fabric of life. These five strategies are among the best ways to encourage city-based agriculture to support society.

Provide Space for Community Gardens

Community gardens offer urban residents an opportunity to participate in agriculture, helping to boost food security, deliver better health outcomes, and foster socialization. However, citizens require green space to establish a community garden initiative. 

City officials can designate different areas for communal gardening. Empty lots, schoolyards, parks, community centers, and retirement facilities are quality locations for plots. Of course, when choosing the best area, it’s vital to ensure accessibility, water resources, and soil health.

Offer Tax Incentives

Investing in urban agriculture enhances the local economy, creates jobs and stimulates production within the city. It also enables urban environments to prioritize sustainability through eco-friendly farming practices. Therefore, cities might consider tax incentives — credits, deductions, and exemptions — to offset costs for farmers and local businesses implementing these food initiatives.

Officials should issue a notice to people utilizing tax incentives to file their tax returns correctly. Although the chances of getting audited were 3.8 for every 1,000 filed returns in 2022, getting audited is still a risk for higher earners and low-income individuals. 

Deliver Education and Resources

With 68% of the global population expected to reside in cities by 2050, city officials must nurture healthy communities. This is especially true since low-income citizens face inequities in accessing quality food and face more significant malnutrition.

According to studies, healthy food options are more expensive and out of budget for marginalized people, while a lack of grocery stores makes receiving proper nutrition difficult. Citizens then turn to cheaper processed food or struggle to provide food for their families altogether. 

Delivering urban farming education workshops and programs teaches aspiring urban farmers how to improve everyone’s access to fresh produce. Community health leaders, nonprofits, and other local experts can contribute their knowledge and train others for free through volunteering. 

Launch Public Awareness Campaigns

Overall, the public is enthusiastic about urban farming, with 73% maintaining a positive perception and 15% viewing it as unfavorable. Those with negative views see it as expensive, polluting, and bringing about possible diseases and pests. 

City officials should develop and launch public awareness campaigns targeting those individuals, highlighting urban farming as community-building, sustainable and organic. Social media, local news, print materials, and local events can also maximize reach.

Additional opportunities for raising public awareness include partnering with businesses, nonprofits, community programs, and schools to spread the message and generate interest and support.

Update Land Use Policies

Rezoning and updating how prospective urban farmers can utilize city space is essential for ensuring this initiative works. Officials can allocate vacant lots or allow rooftop gardening, vertical gardens, and other agricultural spaces to be part of the urban infrastructure.

This is especially important in food deserts so residents can grow a nourishing supply of fresh produce at home or nearby.

Urban Farming Helps Secure Future Food Security in Cities

Community health and sustainability are collaborative efforts between residents, businesses, and local government. When city officials support local farmers in establishing urban agriculture, they contribute to a more secure and healthy food system. 

Sustainability in a Fire Pit: Propane vs. Wood

Fire pits are a staple for backyard parties and camping trips. They provide warmth, ambiance, and a gathering spot for socializing. For generations, we’ve used wood fires, but propane fire pits are becoming the new norm. Propane has many advantages over wood, especially when it comes to convenience, safety, efficiency, and the environment. Here are the benefits of using propane in a fire pit vs. wood.

Clean Burning: The Green Advantage of Propane

Propane is considered a cleaner fuel than wood. When burned, methane releases fewer harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These emissions significantly contribute to air pollution and can harm the environment and human health. Wood burns smoke filled with these pollutants, contributing to local air quality issues and making people nearby uncomfortable.

Plus, propane emits 43% less CO2 per unit of energy produced than wood. That’s a big deal in the fight against climate change. As more people become aware of their carbon footprint, propane’s lower CO2 emissions make it the greener choice for fire pits, especially for those who want to minimize their footprint. Propane is also a low-carbon fuel, so it’s eligible for eco-friendly programs and incentives in some areas.

Since propane is clean burning, there’s no smoke to deal with. Sitting around a propane fire pit is more comfortable because you don’t have to constantly move to avoid smoke blowing in your face. That’s more enjoyable and reduces the risk of health issues from inhaling wood smoke like coughing, allergies, or asthma attacks.

Convenience & Efficiency: Propane Wins

One of the most significant advantages of propane is its efficiency. Propane fire pits provide instant adjustable heat with a turn of a knob. You can control the flame size and temperature, something you can’t do with a wood fire, which requires constant tending, adding logs, and rearranging to keep the flame steady. Propane’s efficiency means you get consistent heat output that is perfect for cooking or warming up on a cold night.

Propane fire pits also have quick ignition. Unlike wood fires, which require matches, kindling, and sometimes fire starters to get going, propane fire pits can be lit with a button push. Instant ignition makes propane fire pits more convenient and safe, as you don’t have to handle open flames or flammable materials. That’s why propane fire pits are popular with families where safety is a top priority.

Propane fire pits win when it comes to cleanup. Wood fires leave behind ash, soot, and partially burned logs, all of which take time and effort to clean up after use. Propane fire pits don’t produce any residual waste. Once you’re done using it, turn off the gas, let it cool, and it’s ready to be stored or used again. That’s a big plus for frequent users, as it means less hassle and more time to enjoy.

No Smoke, No Sparks: Safer

Safety is always a top concern for outdoor fires, and propane fire pits have several advantages. Wood fires produce smoke and embers, both of which can be hazardous. Wind can blow embers to nearby dry grass, leaves, or structures and start accidental fires. That is significantly reduced with propane, which burns clean and produces no sparks or embers.

Propane fire pits also have built-in safety features like automatic shut-off valves and tip-over protection to prevent accidents. Many models, like the FireStorm collection from Go Live Outdoor, have a fail-safe mechanism that will stop the gas flow if the fire pit is knocked over, making them safer for areas where kids or pets are present. Plus, since propane can be turned off instantly, there’s no need to worry about lingering flames or embers that can be a fire hazard.

Since propane fire pits do not produce smoke, they are more comfortable and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals found in wood smoke, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Propane eliminates that risk, so it’s a healthier option for everyone around the fire.

Propane Fire Pits Are Campground Friendly

One of the most significant challenges campers face is fire restrictions in dry or wildfire-prone areas. During certain times of the year, many campgrounds and parks have burn bans prohibiting wood fires due to wildfire risk. Propane fire pits are often allowed during these restrictions because they can be controlled and extinguished. Propane is a versatile and reliable option for outdoor adventures, so campers can still enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fire without breaking the rules.

The portability of propane fire pits is also a big plus for campers, RVers, and hikers. Many models are designed to be compact and lightweight, so they’re easy to carry. That means they’re good for tailgating, beach trips, and camping. Being able to bring a portable, safe, and clean-burning fire source anywhere adds a lot of value to the camping experience, so you have warmth and cooking capability anywhere.

Using propane in fire pits fits with the sustainability principles of responsible resource use. Propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, so it’s a readily available resource that can be used efficiently. It’s also stored in refillable tanks, which reduces waste compared to one-time-use products like charcoal bags or single-use fire starters.

Propane is a low-carbon fuel, emitting fewer greenhouse gases than wood, coal, or oil. So, it’s a great option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort and functionality. By choosing propane, you’re not only breathing cleaner air but also supporting a more sustainable way of consuming fuel.

Propane fire pits help preserve natural wood resources. Each time a propane fire pit is used, it reduces the demand for firewood, which often involves cutting down trees and contributes to deforestation and habitat loss. Propane users are part of reducing overall environmental impact by reducing the need for wood as a fuel source.

The Bottom Line: Propane Wins

While wood fires have their charm, propane fire pits offer many benefits that make them a better choice for many. From cleaner burning and more efficiency to more safety and sustainability, propane fire pits are a modern green alternative that still offers the cozy fire experience. They’re easier to use, safer to operate, and more eco-friendly, so they’re a great choice for backyards, campgrounds, RV parks, and beyond.

Propane fire pits are suitable for the outdoors and are sustainable. Therefore, homeowners, campers, and RV travelers should choose propane over wood.