School ended and somehow I seem to have less time than I did before. How does that make sense? It's suppose to be my vacation time. So what have I been doing with my time, you ask?
I went and worked for my Uncle's landscaping business, and spent three days (Mon - Wed) this week in a million dollar garden. No joke, it's this mulit-million dollar home in Vancouver - they have 14 bathrooms, 38 Plasma TVs, and gold-foil on the ceilings in the kitchen and one of the offices! It was great working outside, the weather was pretty good, and I was around plants all day. And it made me happy that I'm not rich, never have been, nor ever will be.
Yea! Joel got a job! He will be working with the District of Saanich as a GIS assistant (Geographic Information System). The job is perfect for him, a great learning opportunity as this is what he wants to do for a career. I'm stoked, he's stoked, and it feels good to start getting life on track towards careers.
School seemed to end well, I ended up with 3 A's in my Human Geography courses, and a B in the GIS course. Joel got an A in the GIS course, but only B+'s and A-'s in Human Geography. It's been interesting this year for the two of us finding our personal interests, even though our major is the same. But Joel's doing a Bachelor of Science, and I'm doing a Bachelor of Arts.
I've started gardening on my deck! After writing my paper on Urban Agriculture I figured I should practice what I researched. I have two planters of lettuce, a cherry tomato plant, some chives, oregano, and started some carrots, zucchini, dill, and spinach from seed. I'll keep you all updated over the summer. I hope they do okay, however, I did kill a cactus last year....
I found the COOLEST book ever! It's called World Changing: A User's Guide For the 21st Century. Check out the website! The books is about how people are adapting to a changing world, because the fact is that the globe is warming, population is exploding, the gap between the rich and poor is increasing, and natural resources are quickly being exhausted. Our lives must change if we want to provide a future for coming generations. The book addresses everything from Shelter, Cities, Communities, Business, Politics, and the Planet - all in 600 pages. It's huge! You will all being hearing much more about it as I get through it this summer.
Al Gore ( An Inconvenient Truth ), introduces the book by saying it " is a compendium of solutions, some little known, but well proven, some innovative and new, some bold as yet untried. This book not only shows what is already possible, but also helps all of us imagine what might be - in our own homes, in our communities, and for the planet as a whole. Taken together, these solutions present a picture of a future that is not dark or catastrophic, but one that is full of hope and within our grasp. To build that future, we need a generation of everyday heros, people who-whatever their walks of life-have the courage to think in fresh ways and to act to meet this planetary crisis head-on."
I'm excited for the future!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
5 Years of Procrastination Ends!
Yea! Go Jen! I just booked a drivers test. Woot Woot!
But...the earliest date they had was April 26th, so I cannot fail! Yea for having a road test on my birthday, but most kids do - Joel did. Except they take the test the first day they can - not the last.
I bet some of you thought I would never do it. Proved you wrong! :P
I hope I don't fail.
I'm doing it in a standard. That's what my friends drive. Thanks Gord!
I really hope I don't fail.
But...the earliest date they had was April 26th, so I cannot fail! Yea for having a road test on my birthday, but most kids do - Joel did. Except they take the test the first day they can - not the last.
I bet some of you thought I would never do it. Proved you wrong! :P
I hope I don't fail.
I'm doing it in a standard. That's what my friends drive. Thanks Gord!
I really hope I don't fail.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
New Jewelry
Sorry for bombarding you guys will so many posts (in one day!) I'm just making up for being so busy over the last few days.
So yesterday was super gorgeous out here, 22 degrees! It was glorious. My roommate Gemma and I sat out on the deck, she was studying and I was making jewelry. This is what came of it. Gemma was my model, she's so great!
So yesterday was super gorgeous out here, 22 degrees! It was glorious. My roommate Gemma and I sat out on the deck, she was studying and I was making jewelry. This is what came of it. Gemma was my model, she's so great!
Sterling Silver, Crystal drops, Fresh Water Pearls & Adventurine chips
Gold Filled Chain, Fresh Water Pearls, Green Tourmaline & Swarovski Crystal
Gold Filled Chain, Fresh Water Pearls, Green Tourmaline & Swarovski Crystal
Paper on Agroforestry
Well, I just posted my Urban Agriculture paper, and I'll let you read mine and Joel's paper on Agroforestry too. We had the opportunity to write one together in our Development in the Periphery class, which is always a fun treat, because we work well together. I'm really good at getting ideas out, and like starting early on papers, and Joel likes to procrastinate, but he's amazing at making papers sound eloquent and gets all the grammer figured out (I suck at grammer). So we balance each other nicely.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is being heralded as the long-awaited solution to human poverty and global environmental degradation across the world. Though it was never stated in any individual paper, after analyzing so many resources it becomes apparent that this is a situation much like the poverty / population debate. Just as population and poverty are both the cause and effect of each other, poverty and environmental damage have the same negative cyclical relationship. Due to this observation solutions must not focus on only conservation or only human development. Instead, these issues must be addressed simultaneously in an integrated approach. This paper will provide commentary and analysis of a number of sources regarding agroforestry, including the challenges that must be faced and the methods that have been developed to meet these challenges.
In examining various papers on agroforestry it becomes apparent that multiple definitions and uses fall under the term “agroforestry.” Hart coins agroforestry as a method for cultivating trees at the edge of a pastureland in conjunction with crops (xiii). Others see agroforests simply as tree cover, protecting the land against erosion, returning nutrients to the soil and enhancing the microclimate, and mention nothing of a multi-use forest (Hyde, 223). One researcher found that in the Amazon, Runa Indians practiced “agroforestry” which is characterized by “low-intensity succession management system,” occasionally resulting in temporary clearings in the forest canopy (Pandey, 50). Robert Trip illustrates an “agroforestry” technique in Africa, known as “alley cropping” (Trip, 29). This specific system plants a row of trees alternated with rows of crops, the trees provide shade for the crops, mulch and green manure for the field, and fodder for the animals (Trip, 29). However, in the most broad of terms, agroforestry is a technique allowing farmers to benefit off short term provisions, such as medicines, grains, vegetables, and animals, while cultivating long term forest goods, such as hardwood trees. Agroforestry provides sustenance for daily living, income generation without jeopardizing the future of the forests, and uses the forests natural biodiversity to enhance the inputs and outputs of the forest ecosystem.
The UN’s Millennium Development Goals can be summed up as a framework for tackling the major issues affecting the worlds developing regions. The goals include a significant reduction in poverty, equal rights and opportunities for all peoples, and ensuring that future generations will have the capacity to survive and develop in a stable environment. D.P. Garrity identifies how agroforestry is essential in meeting these goals. He provides the links between the Millennium Development Goals and what the World Agroforestry Centre considers to be the challenges facing the developing world. For example, agroforestry will be both positively and negatively affected by HIV/AIDS. The disease, “can reduce the economic incentive for farmers to undertake long-term investments, [and] dissipate labor and financial resources that would be needed to establish and maintain agroforestry practices” (Garrity, 12). Still, this is only one side of the coin; agroforestry can also, “generate much-needed income, improve nutrition, reduce labor demands, and stabilize the environment in AIDS-affected communities” (Garrity, 12). Agroforestry has the promise to create local sustainable economies based around a combination of sustenance and cash crop farming.
In order for development to proceed in a sustainable manner studies have been done that focus on the spreading of knowledge and technologies at a grassroots level. Scientific research and indigenous knowledge must be combined to find site-specific solutions. Pandey’s study on ethnoforestry emphasizes local knowledge of plants, animal habitats and resources (14). Miller and Nair’s article on agroforestry systems of Amazonia shows how this traditional knowledge can be applied to entire regions to promote sustainable development (162). On the other side of the world research including the farmers of north east India has led to the discovery of the Champak tree as an, “option for eco-restoration, and maintenance of soil resources” (Saha, 248). These successes clearly show that development agencies like the IMF need to start seeing farmers as partners and involve them in policy making and research.
All the articles read agreed upon one thing; bottom-up approaches to development are more affective in the long-term. Brown and Durst suggest that in order for the developing world to adopt agroforestry, they must receive monetary rewards for farming in a diverse and sustainable manner (13). By helping farmers get past the initial hardships of switching to agroforestry they will be able to support their families off a small piece of land indefinitely. A “forest garden” of half a hectare can support a family of up to ten people (Hart, xvi). Research shows that farmers need incentives like money to get the past the initial hurdles of investment, and begin using sustainable methods of farm forestry.
In Pakistan and Uganda studies have been done regarding the reasons that farmers choose or choose not to implement farm forestry, and how to conquer these challenges. Farmers choose what to plant based on their individual perceptions of cost/benefit economics thus the focus of development organizations should begin with the farmers by helping them see the long-term benefits associated with agroforestry (Zubair, 227). Cooperation of all levels of society is important. However, as noted in the Uganda case study conflict over land boundaries and natural resources can actually have some positive effects. Competition leads to more private farms and more agroforestry (Sanginga, 73). This stability results in benefits for communities like in Uganda where many children now have access to education (Sanginga, 72).
Despite efforts to encourage agroforestry, implementation of the associated methods and technologies is happening very slowly. Impoverished farmers in the periphery lack the necessary knowledge, in many cases, to grow productive forest gardens (Kiptot, 10). The International Monetary Fund forces many countries that have applied for aid to cut government extension programs like environmental and social services. Without such programs transfer of knowledge is slowed in the countries held down by tied aid. Giving monetary loans to governments to promote export agriculture prevents sustenance farming and biodiversity.
The benefits of agroforestry techniques are innumerable compared to industrialized cash crops that are the predominant farming technique since the green revolution. First of all, those who practice agroforestry plan on passing down the traditional knowledge to their “children’s children” (Tomich, 3). The focus is not on short term economic gain at the expense of the natural ecosystem, but long term sustainability that will last for generations to come. Agroforestry can benefit the world by being a tool to meet the United Nations Development Programmes Millennium Development Goals, through encouraging biodiversity, while eradicating hunger and poverty in a sustainable manor (Garrity, 6-9, World Bank, 15). An agroforest enhances the environment through protecting and recycling nutrients in the soil, protecting groundwater, providing shade, and non-timber forest products (Hart, xiii).
The use of agroforestry techniques often lead to a higher yield in agricultural production (Hyde, 237), and often provides a higher income than other livelihoods (Tomich, 3). There are also benefits in diversifying crops, because in a monoculture if a pest invades, then the entire crop may be devastated, but in an agroforest production, a pest will only target one species of many, not jeopardizing the communities entire livelihood (Hart, 119). Perhaps one of the most important benefits of agroforestry is the reduced amount of chemical inputs needed for production. Because the soils are able to regenerate nutrients naturally, and pests are not as much of an issue, farmers do not need expensive, environmentally damaging fossil fuel products.
Despite all the benefits of agroforestry, there are some major constraints to changing all world agricultural production systems to agroforestry. One limit, recognized in Africa, is that problems exist in marketing agroforestry products, along with weak by-laws and enforcements, and insecure land tenure (African Highlands Imitative). Kiptot argues another constraint on agroforestry is the amount of knowledge required to make smart decisions on agriculture at the individual farm level. She also claims that most farmers are more interested in short-term economic benefits rather than long-term sustainability (Kiptot, 11). A farmer cannot think generations into the future when their own family is starving and a quick economic gain will provide income and food for today. Another constrain on the agroforestry system is the lack of government initiatives, as many sustainable forestry practices are undertaken by NGO’s and other privet groups (Trip, 14). This has prevented large-scale initiatives in retaining traditional knowledge, and sustainable farming groups are often isolated from each other. It has been recognized that “no single group or organization has the means or expertise to tackle these complex issues” (About ASB), and thus the problem is lacking a global initiative.
Throughout this examination of a variety of works relating to agroforestry techniques, it is obvious there is still much work to be done. However, those involved up to this point must be congratulated as the pioneers of a new science based off age-old traditions of subsistence farming. Initiatives need to be taken in addressing a comprehensive framework to facilitate and encourage farmers to use agroforestry as an alternative to cash crops. Incentives need to include short-term economic and environmental benefits to stabilize poverty stricken communities in the periphery, while maintaining biodiversity and sustainable practices that will last for countless generations. The time has come for a new green revolution.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is being heralded as the long-awaited solution to human poverty and global environmental degradation across the world. Though it was never stated in any individual paper, after analyzing so many resources it becomes apparent that this is a situation much like the poverty / population debate. Just as population and poverty are both the cause and effect of each other, poverty and environmental damage have the same negative cyclical relationship. Due to this observation solutions must not focus on only conservation or only human development. Instead, these issues must be addressed simultaneously in an integrated approach. This paper will provide commentary and analysis of a number of sources regarding agroforestry, including the challenges that must be faced and the methods that have been developed to meet these challenges.
In examining various papers on agroforestry it becomes apparent that multiple definitions and uses fall under the term “agroforestry.” Hart coins agroforestry as a method for cultivating trees at the edge of a pastureland in conjunction with crops (xiii). Others see agroforests simply as tree cover, protecting the land against erosion, returning nutrients to the soil and enhancing the microclimate, and mention nothing of a multi-use forest (Hyde, 223). One researcher found that in the Amazon, Runa Indians practiced “agroforestry” which is characterized by “low-intensity succession management system,” occasionally resulting in temporary clearings in the forest canopy (Pandey, 50). Robert Trip illustrates an “agroforestry” technique in Africa, known as “alley cropping” (Trip, 29). This specific system plants a row of trees alternated with rows of crops, the trees provide shade for the crops, mulch and green manure for the field, and fodder for the animals (Trip, 29). However, in the most broad of terms, agroforestry is a technique allowing farmers to benefit off short term provisions, such as medicines, grains, vegetables, and animals, while cultivating long term forest goods, such as hardwood trees. Agroforestry provides sustenance for daily living, income generation without jeopardizing the future of the forests, and uses the forests natural biodiversity to enhance the inputs and outputs of the forest ecosystem.
The UN’s Millennium Development Goals can be summed up as a framework for tackling the major issues affecting the worlds developing regions. The goals include a significant reduction in poverty, equal rights and opportunities for all peoples, and ensuring that future generations will have the capacity to survive and develop in a stable environment. D.P. Garrity identifies how agroforestry is essential in meeting these goals. He provides the links between the Millennium Development Goals and what the World Agroforestry Centre considers to be the challenges facing the developing world. For example, agroforestry will be both positively and negatively affected by HIV/AIDS. The disease, “can reduce the economic incentive for farmers to undertake long-term investments, [and] dissipate labor and financial resources that would be needed to establish and maintain agroforestry practices” (Garrity, 12). Still, this is only one side of the coin; agroforestry can also, “generate much-needed income, improve nutrition, reduce labor demands, and stabilize the environment in AIDS-affected communities” (Garrity, 12). Agroforestry has the promise to create local sustainable economies based around a combination of sustenance and cash crop farming.
In order for development to proceed in a sustainable manner studies have been done that focus on the spreading of knowledge and technologies at a grassroots level. Scientific research and indigenous knowledge must be combined to find site-specific solutions. Pandey’s study on ethnoforestry emphasizes local knowledge of plants, animal habitats and resources (14). Miller and Nair’s article on agroforestry systems of Amazonia shows how this traditional knowledge can be applied to entire regions to promote sustainable development (162). On the other side of the world research including the farmers of north east India has led to the discovery of the Champak tree as an, “option for eco-restoration, and maintenance of soil resources” (Saha, 248). These successes clearly show that development agencies like the IMF need to start seeing farmers as partners and involve them in policy making and research.
All the articles read agreed upon one thing; bottom-up approaches to development are more affective in the long-term. Brown and Durst suggest that in order for the developing world to adopt agroforestry, they must receive monetary rewards for farming in a diverse and sustainable manner (13). By helping farmers get past the initial hardships of switching to agroforestry they will be able to support their families off a small piece of land indefinitely. A “forest garden” of half a hectare can support a family of up to ten people (Hart, xvi). Research shows that farmers need incentives like money to get the past the initial hurdles of investment, and begin using sustainable methods of farm forestry.
In Pakistan and Uganda studies have been done regarding the reasons that farmers choose or choose not to implement farm forestry, and how to conquer these challenges. Farmers choose what to plant based on their individual perceptions of cost/benefit economics thus the focus of development organizations should begin with the farmers by helping them see the long-term benefits associated with agroforestry (Zubair, 227). Cooperation of all levels of society is important. However, as noted in the Uganda case study conflict over land boundaries and natural resources can actually have some positive effects. Competition leads to more private farms and more agroforestry (Sanginga, 73). This stability results in benefits for communities like in Uganda where many children now have access to education (Sanginga, 72).
Despite efforts to encourage agroforestry, implementation of the associated methods and technologies is happening very slowly. Impoverished farmers in the periphery lack the necessary knowledge, in many cases, to grow productive forest gardens (Kiptot, 10). The International Monetary Fund forces many countries that have applied for aid to cut government extension programs like environmental and social services. Without such programs transfer of knowledge is slowed in the countries held down by tied aid. Giving monetary loans to governments to promote export agriculture prevents sustenance farming and biodiversity.
The benefits of agroforestry techniques are innumerable compared to industrialized cash crops that are the predominant farming technique since the green revolution. First of all, those who practice agroforestry plan on passing down the traditional knowledge to their “children’s children” (Tomich, 3). The focus is not on short term economic gain at the expense of the natural ecosystem, but long term sustainability that will last for generations to come. Agroforestry can benefit the world by being a tool to meet the United Nations Development Programmes Millennium Development Goals, through encouraging biodiversity, while eradicating hunger and poverty in a sustainable manor (Garrity, 6-9, World Bank, 15). An agroforest enhances the environment through protecting and recycling nutrients in the soil, protecting groundwater, providing shade, and non-timber forest products (Hart, xiii).
The use of agroforestry techniques often lead to a higher yield in agricultural production (Hyde, 237), and often provides a higher income than other livelihoods (Tomich, 3). There are also benefits in diversifying crops, because in a monoculture if a pest invades, then the entire crop may be devastated, but in an agroforest production, a pest will only target one species of many, not jeopardizing the communities entire livelihood (Hart, 119). Perhaps one of the most important benefits of agroforestry is the reduced amount of chemical inputs needed for production. Because the soils are able to regenerate nutrients naturally, and pests are not as much of an issue, farmers do not need expensive, environmentally damaging fossil fuel products.
Despite all the benefits of agroforestry, there are some major constraints to changing all world agricultural production systems to agroforestry. One limit, recognized in Africa, is that problems exist in marketing agroforestry products, along with weak by-laws and enforcements, and insecure land tenure (African Highlands Imitative). Kiptot argues another constraint on agroforestry is the amount of knowledge required to make smart decisions on agriculture at the individual farm level. She also claims that most farmers are more interested in short-term economic benefits rather than long-term sustainability (Kiptot, 11). A farmer cannot think generations into the future when their own family is starving and a quick economic gain will provide income and food for today. Another constrain on the agroforestry system is the lack of government initiatives, as many sustainable forestry practices are undertaken by NGO’s and other privet groups (Trip, 14). This has prevented large-scale initiatives in retaining traditional knowledge, and sustainable farming groups are often isolated from each other. It has been recognized that “no single group or organization has the means or expertise to tackle these complex issues” (About ASB), and thus the problem is lacking a global initiative.
Throughout this examination of a variety of works relating to agroforestry techniques, it is obvious there is still much work to be done. However, those involved up to this point must be congratulated as the pioneers of a new science based off age-old traditions of subsistence farming. Initiatives need to be taken in addressing a comprehensive framework to facilitate and encourage farmers to use agroforestry as an alternative to cash crops. Incentives need to include short-term economic and environmental benefits to stabilize poverty stricken communities in the periphery, while maintaining biodiversity and sustainable practices that will last for countless generations. The time has come for a new green revolution.
Paper on Urban Agriculture
So wanna see what paying $500 for a course does for me? I thought I would post some of the papers I wrote this semester (don't worry, they're not too long). I thought that my mom's would want to know what I learned this year.
This paper was a 3 page summary of Urban Agriculture, where it's being used, and how it can make our world a better place.
By the end of writing it, I was so stoked on the idea of Urban Agriculture, and yesterday I went out and bought seeds and plants to start my own deck garden. I bought some salad greens, oregano, chives, and a tomato plant which were all started. And I got carrot, spinach, pepper, cucumber, zucchini, and dill seeds. So I hope it all goes well, I'm stoked to finally grow some veggies. And it's all being done on my deck. Yea! :)
Urban Agriculture: Commentary
Urban Agriculture (UA) is a form of small scale farming practiced in intra-urban and peri-urban areas. It is done on a primarily subsistence basis, but some farmers have small enterprises providing financial stability for themselves and their families. In Latin America UA has successfully been used in Argentina and Cuba over the last few decades (Spaggi, Rosset, Bourque, and Chaplowe), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has estimated there are approximately 800 million urban dwellers using UA (Urban Agricultural, Internet Clip).
Recently, it has been gaining popularity around the world as a realistic, low energy and low technology solution to provide food for the urban poor. Many authors see UA as a practical strategy for meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and as a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to urban development. The benefits of Urban Agriculture reach further than just the farmers; it improves the social, environmental and economic stature of the city. However, despite the benefits, UA faces many constraints in periphery nations, which need to be addressed in order for successful urban agricultural enterprises.
Argentina and Cuba’s urban agricultural systems provide food and income for thousands of families. However UA came to existence in different ways for each country, yet both add to the food stability and social wellbeing of their communities. In the Empalme Graneros neighbourhood in Rosario, Argentina, 40% of habitants lived off informal waste collection for their livelihoods (Spaggi. 193). Researchers studying the area began offering workshops on UA and using composting for fertilizer. The response was phenomenal, and now each family who gardens produces a kilogram of vegetables everyday, and sell the surplus (Spaggi, 199). The majority of farmers are women, and UA has increased their self-esteem and their ability to stand up for their rights within their home and community (Spaggi, 199).
Cuba’s UA transformation occurred due to the breakup of the Soviet Union and the United States trade embargo in the late eighties and early nineties. Almost overnight, Cuba lost upwards of seventy per cent of their fossil fuels, which affected the agricultural systems in everything from fertilizers and refrigeration, to transportation (Rosset and Bourque, 364). In response, the state enabled backyards and vacant lots to be transformed into community gardens that ranged from a few square meters to three hectares in size (Chaplowe). Unlike Rosario, the majority of urban farmers in Cuba are males, although women and children participate. The country relies on a minute amount of agricultural inputs, and uses a fraction of the amount of chemical inputs comparatively to other agricultural systems (Rosset and Bourque, 367).
Clearly, as it is outlined in the above examples, urban agriculture is an effective tool for improving the lives of urban dwellers. UA initiatives need to focus primarily those in the periphery, who accounts for almost half of the world’s population. Many low income households are forced to spend 50 to 80 per cent of their income on food yet still do not get enough calories (Mougeot, 267). Urban agriculture can be a strategy to provide food, work, and a better environment for the communities. The keys to successful programs in the periphery are low energy, technology, and capital inputs, and with minimal training; urban agriculture fulfills all those requirements (Pretty, Morrison and Hine, 376, Sachs and Silk).
The use of urban agriculture can help the UNDP achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) in numerous ways. First of all, goal 1 aims to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; urban agriculture can be a valuable tool for providing subsistence food for hundreds of millions more people (UNDP). Goal 3 looks at promoting gender equality and empowering women; in Rosario, women have been empowered through UA. Environmental sustainability is Goal 7, with target 11 improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers (UNDP); UA helped change a slum neighbourhood in Argentina, and it can change others.
In all of the articles examined, urban agriculture was promoted as a realistic solution to the problems of global hunger and environmental sustainability. Some articles expressed that development policies need to address the various levels of urban agriculture, such as subsistence versus small commercial plots, and separate policies need to govern these activities (Jitsanguan, 91; Bohrt, CFP Report 7). There was a general consensus that in order for UA to succeed, it needs to be from bottom-up development strategies because the farmers know what will be successful within their communities. However, bottom-up is not the only option, as Cuba, a communist country, used a top down approach for their country, but that will not work for every nation. There is no specific model that can be applied to every country, but each needs to be examined as a separate entity, with the countries specific strengths and issues taken into account.
Urban agriculture still faces many issues and constraints in implementation. These issues range from government decentralization, uncertain legal status of UA, insecure land tenure, and access to water. The work in UA is often fragmented, done by privet NGO’s and researchers, but it needs to be a collective effort on governments, international bodies, and NGO’s (Cisse, Gueye, Sy, 146; Bohrt, CFP Report 7). In regards to quality and availability of data, numerous authors conclude that more baseline data needs to be recorded (Mougeot, 270; Pretty, Morrison and Hine, 377). Without quantitative data on numbers of individuals practicing UA, production, and spatial data, UA policies will be slow to follow (Mougeot, 270).
All in all, urban agriculture techniques have been successful in many parts of the world, and in order this number to continue increasing, frameworks and policies need to be implemented. For effective UA, countless individuals and establishments need to be involved; this ranges from bureaucracies and international groups, and down to the individual farmers. It is crucial that urban planners and governments recognize the numerous benefits that UA will provide to their cities in a sustainable manor. What makes urban agriculture a viable addition to development is its ability to incorporate environmental, economic and social impacts, the tripod of sustainable development.
This paper was a 3 page summary of Urban Agriculture, where it's being used, and how it can make our world a better place.
By the end of writing it, I was so stoked on the idea of Urban Agriculture, and yesterday I went out and bought seeds and plants to start my own deck garden. I bought some salad greens, oregano, chives, and a tomato plant which were all started. And I got carrot, spinach, pepper, cucumber, zucchini, and dill seeds. So I hope it all goes well, I'm stoked to finally grow some veggies. And it's all being done on my deck. Yea! :)
Urban Agriculture: Commentary
Urban Agriculture (UA) is a form of small scale farming practiced in intra-urban and peri-urban areas. It is done on a primarily subsistence basis, but some farmers have small enterprises providing financial stability for themselves and their families. In Latin America UA has successfully been used in Argentina and Cuba over the last few decades (Spaggi, Rosset, Bourque, and Chaplowe), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has estimated there are approximately 800 million urban dwellers using UA (Urban Agricultural, Internet Clip).
Recently, it has been gaining popularity around the world as a realistic, low energy and low technology solution to provide food for the urban poor. Many authors see UA as a practical strategy for meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and as a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to urban development. The benefits of Urban Agriculture reach further than just the farmers; it improves the social, environmental and economic stature of the city. However, despite the benefits, UA faces many constraints in periphery nations, which need to be addressed in order for successful urban agricultural enterprises.
Argentina and Cuba’s urban agricultural systems provide food and income for thousands of families. However UA came to existence in different ways for each country, yet both add to the food stability and social wellbeing of their communities. In the Empalme Graneros neighbourhood in Rosario, Argentina, 40% of habitants lived off informal waste collection for their livelihoods (Spaggi. 193). Researchers studying the area began offering workshops on UA and using composting for fertilizer. The response was phenomenal, and now each family who gardens produces a kilogram of vegetables everyday, and sell the surplus (Spaggi, 199). The majority of farmers are women, and UA has increased their self-esteem and their ability to stand up for their rights within their home and community (Spaggi, 199).
Cuba’s UA transformation occurred due to the breakup of the Soviet Union and the United States trade embargo in the late eighties and early nineties. Almost overnight, Cuba lost upwards of seventy per cent of their fossil fuels, which affected the agricultural systems in everything from fertilizers and refrigeration, to transportation (Rosset and Bourque, 364). In response, the state enabled backyards and vacant lots to be transformed into community gardens that ranged from a few square meters to three hectares in size (Chaplowe). Unlike Rosario, the majority of urban farmers in Cuba are males, although women and children participate. The country relies on a minute amount of agricultural inputs, and uses a fraction of the amount of chemical inputs comparatively to other agricultural systems (Rosset and Bourque, 367).
Clearly, as it is outlined in the above examples, urban agriculture is an effective tool for improving the lives of urban dwellers. UA initiatives need to focus primarily those in the periphery, who accounts for almost half of the world’s population. Many low income households are forced to spend 50 to 80 per cent of their income on food yet still do not get enough calories (Mougeot, 267). Urban agriculture can be a strategy to provide food, work, and a better environment for the communities. The keys to successful programs in the periphery are low energy, technology, and capital inputs, and with minimal training; urban agriculture fulfills all those requirements (Pretty, Morrison and Hine, 376, Sachs and Silk).
The use of urban agriculture can help the UNDP achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) in numerous ways. First of all, goal 1 aims to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; urban agriculture can be a valuable tool for providing subsistence food for hundreds of millions more people (UNDP). Goal 3 looks at promoting gender equality and empowering women; in Rosario, women have been empowered through UA. Environmental sustainability is Goal 7, with target 11 improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers (UNDP); UA helped change a slum neighbourhood in Argentina, and it can change others.
In all of the articles examined, urban agriculture was promoted as a realistic solution to the problems of global hunger and environmental sustainability. Some articles expressed that development policies need to address the various levels of urban agriculture, such as subsistence versus small commercial plots, and separate policies need to govern these activities (Jitsanguan, 91; Bohrt, CFP Report 7). There was a general consensus that in order for UA to succeed, it needs to be from bottom-up development strategies because the farmers know what will be successful within their communities. However, bottom-up is not the only option, as Cuba, a communist country, used a top down approach for their country, but that will not work for every nation. There is no specific model that can be applied to every country, but each needs to be examined as a separate entity, with the countries specific strengths and issues taken into account.
Urban agriculture still faces many issues and constraints in implementation. These issues range from government decentralization, uncertain legal status of UA, insecure land tenure, and access to water. The work in UA is often fragmented, done by privet NGO’s and researchers, but it needs to be a collective effort on governments, international bodies, and NGO’s (Cisse, Gueye, Sy, 146; Bohrt, CFP Report 7). In regards to quality and availability of data, numerous authors conclude that more baseline data needs to be recorded (Mougeot, 270; Pretty, Morrison and Hine, 377). Without quantitative data on numbers of individuals practicing UA, production, and spatial data, UA policies will be slow to follow (Mougeot, 270).
All in all, urban agriculture techniques have been successful in many parts of the world, and in order this number to continue increasing, frameworks and policies need to be implemented. For effective UA, countless individuals and establishments need to be involved; this ranges from bureaucracies and international groups, and down to the individual farmers. It is crucial that urban planners and governments recognize the numerous benefits that UA will provide to their cities in a sustainable manor. What makes urban agriculture a viable addition to development is its ability to incorporate environmental, economic and social impacts, the tripod of sustainable development.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Almost There...
The End is Near...no, really it is. I can almost see it.
So 2 essays done, lab exam done, I have a final in just over 2 hours. Am I prepared you ask? No. But I'm at the point where I just want it to be over. Tomorrow Joel and I have a presentation, and then Monday our last paper is due. Then we just have to deal with a final in Resource Management on the 20th. And then it's done.
So close.
I think I'm getting sick. My head feels full of pressure, and the back of my throat is raw. Ugh. That would be my luck, to get everything done and then be sick and not enjoy chilling out.
So 2 essays done, lab exam done, I have a final in just over 2 hours. Am I prepared you ask? No. But I'm at the point where I just want it to be over. Tomorrow Joel and I have a presentation, and then Monday our last paper is due. Then we just have to deal with a final in Resource Management on the 20th. And then it's done.
So close.
I think I'm getting sick. My head feels full of pressure, and the back of my throat is raw. Ugh. That would be my luck, to get everything done and then be sick and not enjoy chilling out.
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