Urban farming in Vancouver

There is a new generation of urban agriculture emerging in North America. Labelled urban farming, this modern urban agriculture industry is tapping into the economic potential for local, organic food. An ethnographic study of six urban farmers growing food in Metro Vancouver reveals that the act of growing and marketing food in the city is an expanding and dedicated business. The study focused particularly on newly emerging highly urbanized farm enterprises in the Vancouver area. Urban farmers are embedded in the community as land stewards, local suppliers of seasonal vegetables and educators. This industry has a light ecological footprint, with organic, small-scale planting techniques and local marketing. While not a lucrative industry, it proves to be a formidable lifestyle choice, with several non-monetary benefits. Most importantly, this study provides the first baseline data and theory regarding the extent and viability of this emergent type of commercial urban agriculture in Vancouver.