# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here are a few reasons to try urban gardening:

1. Grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables.You may not be able to feed your family or class with a small-space urban garden, but you can harvest a surprising amount of food to supplement supermarket fare. By growing food organically, you can ensure it's free of synthetic pesticide residues.

2. Teach kids about food origins.From something as simple as pulling carrots from container gardens, kids get to see first-hand how food grows, the process it involves, and how weather and other factors influence the harvest. They gain an appreciation for the food they purchase and the human effort it took to provide it. And kids who grow vegetables are more likely to eat them!

3. Foster community.When folks of all ages are out tending their gardens, they interact, share stories, offer tips, and create common ground for connection.

4. Connect with your environment.Gardens demonstrate the interdependence of plants and animals in the natural world - bees pollinating flowers so that they produce fruits, or birds plucking seeds from mature sunflowers. These simple sights help us humans cultivate a sense of belonging to nature - a sense that can be missing in densely populated areas with limited green space.

5. Provide habitat for wildlife.Urban plantings can provide food and habitat for insects, birds, and other creatures - both year-round residents and migrating populations, such as monarch butterflies.

6. Improve urban environmental conditions.Gardens, green spaces, and trees mitigate the "heat island effect." Buildings, concrete, and pavement absorb and retain heat, causing increased temperatures both day and night. Greenery, on the other hand, has a cooling effect. Gardens also have the potential to help with stormwater runoff and air quality.

Urban Gardening Techniques

Don't have room for a big, in-ground garden? Here are some small space growing ideas.
Containers
You can place a container garden nearly anywhere - a front stoop, along the edge of a driveway or walkway, even on a rooftop! Small containers are ideal for small crops like lettuce and herbs, while tomatoes prefer larger pots that hold up to 5 gallons. You can purchase pots or make your own - just be sure there are holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain. Most plants prefer full sun, though in hot regions a little midday shade can prevent plants from drying out too quickly. If your containers are small and lightweight, you can move them to sunny spots throughout the day, or even to a protected spot if a cold snap threatens. Learn more at Container Gardening for Kids.
Vertical Gardens
When horizontal space is limited, look up!

Hanging baskets can be planted with flowers, herbs, small vegetables - there are even compact tomato varieties developed for growing in hanging pots! Remember that most plants need at least a half-day of full sun, so you'll need to find a way to hang the pots where they'll get the most sun. A pole or sturdy "shepherd's hook" (such as those used to hold bird feeders) are good choices.

Growing plants on trellises and other supports allows you to have more plants in small spaces. You can even put supports in a planter for vines to climb! Make homemade trellises with sticks or bamboo and twine.

Get creative with wall-mounted planters.You can purchase wall units, or make a fun and simple wall garden using a shoe organizer! Read about Pocket Planters.

Create an entire green wall!Check out Southfield School's huge wall garden made from 528 milk cartons and planted with herbs, fruits, and vegetables. (The school, located in Shreveport, Louisiana, is a 2019 Carton 2 Garden grand prize winner.) Watch their video.
Indoor Gardens
With access to a sunny window or help from grow lights, indoor spaces can be transformed into lush gardens. Check out our Indoor Gardening Basics article for garden system options and tips.
Hydroponics
The term hydroponics refers to ways of growing plants without soil. Instead, the plant nutrients are dissolved in water, and that nutrient solution is delivered to plant roots in various ways. Hydroponic units allow you to grow lots of plants in small spaces. You can purchase a hydroponic unit or make one yourself: DIY Hydroponics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Urban Gardening Benefits and Techniques - KidsGardening

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The benefits of gardening aren't limited to those who have the space for large, in-ground gardens. People living in densely populated urban areas with little or no land can grow productive and rewarding gardens filled with edibles and ornamentals, too. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of extra ingenuity and creativity!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Food Forward
Food Forward: Urban Agriculture Across America is a half-hour, character-driven survey of urban farming across the country. The pilot episode for a 13-part series greenlit for PBS starting 2012, we meet the food rebels who are growing food right where we live--in cities. Lively animation starts us off asking some tough questions of industrial agriculture. Then, onto the streets of New York City wi

Aired: 04/03/12

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Food Forward | Pilot Episode: Urban Farming

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Food Forward Food Forward: Urban Agriculture Across America is a half-hour, character-driven survey of urban farming across the country. The pilot episode for a 13-part series greenlit for PBS starting 2012, we meet the food rebels who are growing food right where we live--in cities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Did I mention that it was a 14ºF day, with six inches of snow on the roof? Current farming technologies enable urban growers to cultivate food grown even closer to where its eaters live, despite conditions.

Neighboring Detroit is urban agriculture's epicenter, a hub for big ideas. With the city unable to tend acres of abandoned houses, a green movement of urban farmers sprouted, committed to stewarding the land. This corps of growers transformed previously barren terrain into responsibly agriculturally productive grounds for citizens of a struggling city. Some sell food for profit, some feed neighbors, and some are corporations doing good (such as General Motors's Cadillac Urban Gardens). One of the effort's leaders, Greening of Detroit, is a nonprofit that provides technical assistance to farmers, education, and access to locally grown food.

In Washington, D.C., a company called BrightFarms took over 10,000 square feet of underdeveloped land in Anacostia to build a produce greenhouse close to urban supermarkets and create "green collar" jobs for the community. Unlike many local farms, BrightFarms has relationships with and sells to large chains like Superfresh, Pathmark, and Giant, thereby positioning local food in the mainstream food supply chain.

Most of us who study food systems agree that something drastic needs to change soon. Growing food thousands of miles away from where eaters live, guzzling resources to transport that food in refrigerated trucks across the country or the globe, only to have produce that simply doesn't taste as good at the end of the long supply chain, simply doesn't make sense. Innovative urban gardening requires less time, transportation resources, and money and produces better food. Sounds like a way to feed a planet approaching 9 billion.
This story is part of National Geographic's special eight-month Future of Food series.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Urban Farming: Growing Food in a Sprawling City

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The next time you enjoy a farm-to-table meal in a city restaurant or a friend's urban pied-a-terre, the ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Plant a seed and watch it grow!

School gardens have been around for over 100 years, and school districts continue to use them today to establish healthy eating habits; as educational tools in the classroom; and to promote community inclusion. This fact sheet for farm to school stakeholders provides examples of school gardens that have taken root, and resources to continue growth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School Gardens: Using Gardens to Grow Healthy Habits in Cafeterias, Classrooms and Communities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Plant a seed and watch it grow! School gardens have been around for over 100 years, and school districts continue to use them today to establish healthy eating habits; as educational tools in the classroom; and to promote community inclusion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farmers on the Roof: James, Myasia & Wesley at TEDxYouth@MSC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Inspiring urban farm teaches kids how to grow organic food on an NYC island

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We build urban organic farms in Los Angeles for your home, school, or office.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Enrichment Classes, Los Angeles, CA, Field Trips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Field trips and homeschool classes designed to awaken our connections to nature, good food and the land.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Growing Experience Urban Farm 2022-2024

Vision:

Our vision at The Growing Experience Urban Farm is to cultivate a thriving, sustainable healthy community that is deeply integrated with the principles of environmental sustainability, innovation, community engagement, and prioritizing the economy of well-being over profit. We are committed to expanding our impact by nurturing community-based nonprofits and fostering social enterprises, with the goal of activating residents to connect with one another and learn how to become diligent stewards of the Earth. Central to our sustainability ethos is empowerment through education; we believe that the cornerstone of true sustainability lies in developing a profound awareness of ourselves, our environment, and our community.

We envision a future where our community is not just healthy in the physical sense, but also empowered, interconnected, and sustained by a supportive network of organizations, businesses, city, and state leaders. In this future, every individual is recognized as a vital contributor to our collective well-being, with access to the knowledge and resources needed to live sustainably and harmoniously with our planet. By laying down the foundations of environmental stewardship, innovative agricultural practices, and community-led initiatives, we aim to create a model of living that can inspire and be replicated across the globe, fostering a world where people are empowered to make positive changes for their health, their communities, and the environment.

How to accomplish this vision:

Accomplishing our vision at TGE requires a multi-faceted approach centered on collaboration, education, and sustainable innovation. Firstly, forging strong partnerships with local organizations, educational institutions, and government bodies will be key to broadening our impact and resources. These collaborations will enable us to offer comprehensive educational programs that not only teach sustainable farming practices but also foster environmental stewardship among community members of all ages. Implementing cutting-edge agricultural technologies and practices such as aquaponics and permaculture will serve as a living laboratory for innovation, research, and learning. Additionally, supporting and incubating community-based nonprofits and social enterprises will help translate our vision into tangible economic opportunities that prioritize well-being over profit, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our initiatives. By actively engaging the community through workshops, events, and volunteer opportunities, we will cultivate a sense of ownership and commitment among residents, empowering them to become active participants in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future. Through these concerted efforts, TGE will not only achieve its vision but also set a replicable model for others to follow, driving a global movement towards sustainable living and community well-being.
The MAYE Center 2022-2024 worked with but not limited to the following collaborative organizations to actualize the above vision:
Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)
University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources California State University of Long Beach Pacific Gateway Cerca Cultivation Hydroponics
Planet Earth Observatory organization

Get In Spired Inc Organization

Long Beach City College

LB Holistic Tree

GreenTouch Landscaping

IGH Gardens

Algalita Research

Moore Institute

Hands in Soil
Programs & Education

Aquaponics Innovation: Focusing on the technological and sustainable aspects of aquaponics, including training and research.

Community & Learning: Community engagement and learning through social enterprises, events, and classes.

Sustainability & Impact: We average 200lbs a day harvest, average 400lbs food donated during our weekly farmstand, combat food insecurity and provide education on aquaponic and hydroponic sustainable eco-friendly practices.

Educational Outreach: Farm to preschool program, which bridges early childhood education with agricultural learning. We provide internships to students in collaboration with CSULB, CSUDH, LBCC, and K-12 school partnerships.

STEAM & Experiential Learning: Middle School Summer camp on STEAM education provide direct engagement with farming and sustainability practices.
Get Involved

Volunteer Opportunities: For those looking to contribute their time and skills.

Internships & Training: Opportunities for students and individuals to gain hands-on experience in agriculture, sustainability, and related fields.

Partnerships & Support: Schools, businesses, and community organizations can partner with the farm, and for donors to connect and support the farm's mission.

Events & Workshops: community events, workshops, meditation classes, gardening classes, cooking classes, yoga, community education, sustainability practices in urban farming, aquaponics, hydroponics, art, wellness events.

Find out more, ways to support, donate and partnership contact info@themayecenter.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Growing Experience Urban Farm - The MAYE Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our vision at The Growing Experience Urban Farm is to cultivate a thriving, sustainable healthy community that is deeply integrated with the principles of environmental sustainability, innovation, community engagement, and prioritizing the economy of well-being over profit.