Urban farming is a big trend. The rising cost of living in cities, combined with the desire for fresh, local produce has led to an increase in urban farming and rooftop gardens.
There are even new technologies coming out that make it easier to grow food indoors or on rooftops. But what’s next? What should you be watching out for in the year 2023?
Here are my top ten predictions:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Top 10 urban farming trends to look out for in 2023 |
| Indoor gardening is an effective solution for small spaces |
| Urban farming offers many benefits during the holiday season |
| Start your own urban farm in the 2023 new year |
| Urban farming can positively impact your health and the environment |
More Urban Farming Startups
You may have noticed that urban farming is having a moment. The industry, which has long been associated with hippies and tree-huggers, is now moving into the mainstream.
People are looking to become self-sufficient and get involved in the food system and that means urban farming startups have never been so popular.
The rise of startups in this space should come as no surprise: according to an article from Forbes, “The global market for vertical farms is projected at $4 billion by 2020.”
That’s almost double what it was just two years ago! And while many of these startups focus on indoor farming indoors, others are finding ways to improve traditional outdoor practices through innovations like hydroponics (growing plants without soil) and aquaponics (growing plants alongside edible fish).
Looking to add greenery to your home but have limited space? Our ultimate guide to container gardening for small spaces provides valuable tips and tricks for how to best use containers to achieve a thriving garden in small areas.
Hydroponic Systems On The Rise
A hydroponic system is used to grow plants without soil. Rather than growing in the ground, hydroponics uses water, minerals and nutrients to grow plants.
Hydroponics has been around for thousands of years but it’s only recently that it has gained popularity for urban farming purposes.
Hydroponic systems are more efficient than traditional farming methods because they use less space, resources and labor. This makes them perfect for urban farmers who don’t have access to large plots of land but still want fresh produce at their fingertips!
Hydroponic Systems: Popular Brands and Benefits
| Popular Brands | Benefits |
|---|---|
| AeroGarden | No soil required; less water usage; grows plants 5 times faster than soil |
| General Hydroponics | Wide variety of hydroponic systems available for different plants and growing setups |
| GrowUp Smart Farm | Innovative design for vertical farming; controlled environment for optimal plant growth |
| Miracle-Gro | Simple and affordable hydroponic gardening solutions for beginners; allows for year-round indoor gardening |
(Note: In tables, it’s best practice to use capital letters at the beginning of each word in both the header and table content. Also, please note that these brand names were chosen for informational purposes only and are not an endorsement of any particular product or company.)
Indoor Farming Takes Off
Indoor farming is a new trend that can help solve some of the food industry’s most pressing problems. It’s a more efficient way to grow food you can use less land, water and fertilizer. It’s also more sustainable and environmentally friendly than traditional farming methods, since you don’t need as much space or resources in order to produce enough crops for your community.
Additionally, indoor farming allows you to grow year-round, which means it doesn’t have to be seasonal like outdoor gardening or farming (although there are still seasons when certain crops will flourish).
Indoor farms are especially beneficial in cities where real estate is scarce and land prices are high; they allow urban residents access to fresh produce all year long while reducing the amount of pollution caused by shipping food across state lines or overseas.
Some examples include rooftop farms like AeroFarms’ facility in Newark NJ; vertical farms such as Gotham Greens’ rooftop hydroponic farm on New York City skyscrapers; and hydroponics facilities like Urban Organics’ greenhouse located near Chicago IL
Did you know that indoor gardening has several benefits beyond just aesthetic appeal? With our indoor gardening 101 guide, learn how to start your own indoor garden and discover the many benefits to both your physical and mental health.
Local Governments Getting Involved
Local governments are getting involved in urban farming. In the past, urban farms have been on private land and funded by private citizens or community groups through donations.
Now local governments are helping to finance these projects and provide land for them. Some cities are even building their own vertical farms, which means that they’ll be able to grow fresh produce indoors year-round!
More Rooftop Gardens
In 2023, more people will start rooftop gardening.
Rooftop gardens are a great way to grow food in the city, and this trend is already happening. You can use them to grow food, house plants, or even raise chickens or bees.
And their benefits don’t end there: rooftop gardening can help reduce the urban heat island effect by increasing evapotranspiration (the process of evaporating water from plants).
The holiday season is a perfect time to incorporate urban farming into your traditions. Discover 10 surprising benefits of urban farming this Christmas season to explore how growing your own food can enhance the spirit of the season.
More Vertical Farms
Vertical farming is a type of farming that takes place in stacked layers, indoors, in controlled conditions.
These vertical farms are usually located in urban areas and are used to grow high-value crops like greens and herbs.
The growth rate of these farms has increased over the years as they’re becoming more popular among urban dwellers who want to eat nutritious foods but lack space for traditional outdoor gardens.
Table: Vertical Farming Solutions
| Company | Solution | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AeroFarms | AeroFarms System | Vertical farming system that uses aeroponic technology to grow crops in a soil-free environment, using up to 95% less water than conventional farming. |
| Bright Agrotech | ZipFarm | Indoor vertical hydroponic system that allows for year-round growing with efficient use of space, water, and energy. |
| Freight Farms | Leafy Green Machine | A hydroponic vertical farm that can fit in a shipping container, allowing farming to take place in any location. |
| Plenty | Plenty Vertical Farm | Sustainable vertical farming system that uses plant science, data analysis and engineering to grow fresh produce in urban environments. |
Note: These are just a few examples of companies providing vertical farming solutions. The table can be expanded to include additional companies or to highlight specific features of each solution.
Smart Food And Farm Tech Innovations
Smart farming has been around for years, but it’s about to get even smarter. Smart food and farm tech innovations will make the growing process easier than ever before.
Smart farming tools like smart irrigation systems make irrigation based on real-time weather conditions possible, guaranteeing maximum efficiency of water usage across all crops and locations.
Other smart farming tools include smart soil sensors that collect data about soil health and nutrient levels so you can identify if there’s anything wrong with your crops early on. Smart planting monitors can tell you when exactly each plant needs watering or fertilizing based on its own individual needs at different stages of growth.
On top of these tools are other innovations in the works such as drones that fly over fields to monitor plant health without having to send anyone out into the field itself (this helps prevent injury).
There are also robots which will monitor your fields 24/7 looking out for disease or pests while they do other things such as pruning trees or harvesting vegetables!
Start your new year off on a sustainable foot with our ultimate guide to starting your own urban farm in the 2023 new year. Find all the information you need to start growing your own fresh, local produce within the comfort of your own home.
Sharing Economies Allow People To Sell Their Excess Produce
You can sell your excess produce to strangers online. The sharing economy is a relatively new concept, and it relies on a group of people who are willing to share their goods and services for free. It’s similar to the blockchain but not exactly the same.
If you find yourself with extra tomatoes in your garden, don’t let them go bad instead, post them on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace so that others can enjoy them!
There are no fees involved; however, you should expect some small amount of effort for setting up an account and posting your items (and perhaps even replying to inquiries).
More Ways To Connect With Your Food And Local Community.
Be it a food truck or farmers market, connecting with your food and local community is important. There are many ways to do this:
- Share your stories (and recipes) on social media.
- Host an event at your house or in the park where you can share what you’re making, who you’re cooking for, and why it matters.
- Hold workshops for kids about growing vegetables in school yards or backyards. The more connected young people feel with where their food comes from, the less likely they will be to eat processed junk food later on in life!
Interested in exploring urban farming for the first time? Learn about the numerous benefits you can experience with our 10 reasons why you should try urban farming in the 2023 new year guide – from environmental sustainability to improved health, there has never been a better time to start.
Farm-To-Table Movements Grow In Popularity
As the food industry faces increasing scrutiny, more people want to know where their food comes from, how it’s grown and prepared, what’s in it and how it’s packaged.
In response to this demand for transparency and trustworthiness, urban farming has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to connect with their food by growing some of their own produce in small plots or rooftop gardens.
Conclusion
Urban farms are growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. Urban farmers are helping solve the issues of food waste, food deserts, and even climate change by creating sustainable solutions for our future food system.
If you want to take part in this exciting movement, now is the time! There are so many ways for anyone with a little space and some spare time to get involved: starting small with home gardens or joining community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs).
If you’re looking for something more hands-off but still wants their produce grown locally, then look into buying shares of a local urban farm through sharing economy platforms like Shareable.org or Good Eggs !
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about agricultural trends to look out for in 2023, check out these informative articles:
Agricultural trends to look out for in 2023 published by BKT Tires. This article explores key trends such as precision agriculture and automation that farmers should be aware of in the coming years.
A look at the top 10 agriculture trends for 2023 also published by BKT Tires. This article provides more in-depth analysis of specific trends, including advanced technologies, plant-based diets, and sustainable agriculture.
Agriculture: Top trends to watch for in 2023 by ICL Group. This informative article covers trends such as soil health management, alternative protein sources, and digital farming and what they mean for the future of agriculture.
FAQs
What are agricultural trends?
Agricultural trends refer to the patterns of changes and developments in the agriculture industry over a period of time. They can include technological advancements, methods of farming, or even shifts in consumer preferences.
Why is it important to stay informed about agricultural trends?
Having knowledge of the latest agricultural trends can help farmers to efficiently plan and prepare for the future. It also helps them to make informed decisions about how to optimize crop production, reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.
What is precision agriculture?
Precision agriculture is a farming concept that utilizes technology such as sensors, mapping tools, and automated systems to optimize crop yields and reduce waste. It allows farmers to apply crop inputs such as water, fertilizer, and pesticides only where and when they are needed.
What is sustainable agriculture?
Sustainable agriculture is a set of farming practices that prioritize environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic profitability. It is a holistic approach to farming that aims to preserve natural resources, promote biodiversity, and ensure long-term food security.
How do alternative protein sources fit into agriculture trends for 2023?
Alternative protein sources such as plant-based proteins, cultured meat, and insect proteins are expected to become more popular as consumers prioritize health, sustainability, and ethics in their food choices. This growing trend is expected to impact agriculture significantly, from the types of crops grown to the methods of cultivation used.
I’m Hellen James, and I’m an urban farmer and blogger. I’ve been growing food in my backyard for years, and I love sharing what I’ve learned with other people who want to start farming in their own yards.