Project Lead: Anu Rangarajan
Are you an existing or aspiring urban farmer?
Urban farms can not only be commercially viable and economically self-sufficient small farm businesses, they also offer a multitude of quality of life benefits for community residents. These farms serve to build community cohesion, teach about food and farming, connect urban and rural producers, and generate fresh produce (and sometimes meat) for local eaters.
Building a successful commercial urban farm requires careful consideration of unique issues created by farming in the urban environment.
Learn about success stories as well as resources to build your urban farm.
Urban Ag Resources
Join our email list to hear about new resources as they’re added.
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The Promise of Urban Agriculture
National Study of Commercial Farming in Urban Areas Urban and peri-urban farms have proliferated around the United…
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Guide to Urban Farming
The guide is designed to inform urban farmers about advocating for urban agriculture, accessing and reclaiming land,…
The Promise of Urban Agriculture Curriculum
Understand the practices and policies that support successful urban farming endeavors.
Our Urban Ag project has partnered with USDA-AMS Marketing Services Division and Rooted, the Madison, WI-based center for urban agriculture enterprise and education, to collaborate and develop classes for commercial urban agriculturists, city planners, and policymakers.
The project is informed by our publication, The Promise of Urban Agriculture, a national study of commercial farming in urban areas released in 2019. The following year we began to create trainings and educational resources for multiple audiences engaged in urban agriculture and, specifically, commercial urban agriculture.
This curriculum development draws on the evolution of 14 urban farms, and insights from over 150 policymakers, urban planners, funders, and nonprofit and community organizers engaged in local food systems and urban farming. Through this work we uncovered the policies, resources, and future research and development needed to support the successful development of commercial urban farms.
We are excited to bring this suite of urban agriculture courses for growers, farmers, planners and policymakers, to provide critical information for building or supporting successful urban farms.
We realize that not everyone is able to afford the price of our courses. So, in addition to our tiered pricing system, we offer a small number of scholarships each year to New York State residents. To apply, please read all the requirements and complete the application here.
Enroll today!
Courses for Growers & Planners
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PUA 101 + PUA 102 Bundle
Enroll together and save! Includes: PUA 101: Deciding Where to Farm in the City and PUA 102: Urban Farm Planning and Management.
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PUA 201: Urban Agriculture Skills for Planners
Incorporate urban agriculture into planning practice — gain critical knowledge on structures, approaches and policies for community engagement, comprehensive planning, zoning reforms, and resource provision, including example plans and ordinances.
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PUA 103: Urban Farming by Community Nonprofits
Operate a nonprofit urban farm — this course guides farm staff and community organizations on establishing and managing a nonprofit urban farm
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PUA 102: Urban Farm Planning and Management
Establish an economically viable urban farm — select a solid business model and learn basics of crop planning, analyzing markets, managing on-farm labor, and promoting a strong farm culture.
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PUA 101: Deciding Where to Farm in the City
Create an urban farm with community in mind — identify the key physical, economic, and social factors for site assessment and development.
News and Updates
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From Vacant Spaces to Vibrant Places
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By Sean Cummings The Binghamton Urban Farm is a small market garden located on the east side of Binghamton’s downtown, managed by Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments (VINES) a small not-for-profit in the City of Binghamton. Our goal at the urban farm has always been to create access to fresh affordable food where there once was none.…
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Profit per Square Foot: Tackling Challenges Unique to Urban Farming
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Many people dream of the simple life – growing their own food, maybe even making a living as a farmer – but bills need to be paid and it’s a long commute from the peaceable kingdom to the cubicle. Can you make a living while still living in or near a city? The answer is…maybe.…
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Recirculating Farms: Growing healthy, fresh food and a new local food culture
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Facing an average nightly low of 21 degrees, most Boston-area farmers throw their hands up in January and take a break. But with recirculating farms — which can grow plants (hydroponics), fish (aquaculture), or a combination of both (aquaponics) — a farmer can continue generating revenue throughout the worst conditions that winter brings. “They can…
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Creating Farms on Concrete, Rubble, and Roofs
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The Story of New York City’s Newest Farmers When anyone thinks about New York City, fixtures like concrete sidewalks, skyscrapers, large office buildings, heavy traffic, storefronts, and subway stations come easily to mind. Green spaces are generally relegated to designated city parks, and most flowers are pre-cut, bundled into ready-to-go bouquets. However the metropolitan topography…
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Urban Farmer Backlash: Too Much of a Good Thing?
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Recently, urban agriculture seems to have achieved a milestone– being lampooned. The blog Daily Candy featured “DIY Halloween Costumes” in which suggestion No. 4 was “Urban Farmer,” recommending a three ingredient recipe: “1. Same [outfit] as Paul Bunyan but replace the ax with a shovel; 2. Carry a tote bag filled with fresh veggies. and…
About Anu Rangarajan
Anu was appointed director the Cornell Small Farms Program in 2004. At the same time, she opened a U-pick strawberry farm in Freeville, NY. The experience of operating a small farm changed her entire approach to research and extension, and deepened her commitment to NY farms and local food systems.
Read Articles by Anu Rangarajan
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