COVID19 demonstrates the need for strong local economies and resilient solutions. Recently, the U.S Department of Agriculture reported a 2.6% increase in food prices from March to April (the largest monthly increase in 46 years), largely due to supply chain disruptions and worker illnesses. Urban agriculture is a productive form of green infrastructure that supports local economies, creates jobs, improves access to healthy fresh food, and provides ecosystem services. GRHC brings together urban and rooftop agriculture experts to share the benefits and challenges of urban agriculture projects at its Urban Agriculture Symposium
1:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Pending approval for 3 LU|HSW credits from AIA, ASLA, and GRP credits
Pending approval for 2 credits from APLD
Speakers
Click on the photos for full speaker bios and presentations.
Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Agenda
| Time | Speaker | Topic |
| 1:05 | Steven Peck, GRP, Hon ASLA, Founder and President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities | Strengthening Rooftop Farming Finances Strengthening Rooftop Farming Finances will look at the different economic models that current support rooftop farms and explore strategies used by farm operations to develop and strengthen their financial sustainability. This involves a combination of having the right elements in the design of the farm facilities, human resource management, and also employing income diversification strategies. |
| 1:25 | Roxanne Miller, Architecte paysagiste / Landscape Architect AAPQ CSLA, Soprema; Patrice Godin, Co Founder at La Ligne Verte:Toits verts + La Ligne Verte:Maraîcher | IGA's Innovative Rooftop Farm IGA's urban farm is a forerunner and high visibility project located in Ville Saint-Laurent, Montréal. From concept, to install, cultivation and harvest, this farm has been a fertile ground for reasearch in rooftop farming green roof media. It also is a very profitable project to entice architects and promoters alike to look at urban farming as a valuable asset to buildings while generating an interesting local food source. By taking appart the technical as well as everyday challenges related to the farm, the presentation will give you a broad view of the project and spark creativity for urban farmers. |
| 1:45 | Alex Speigel, Partner, Windmill Development Group | Implementing Urban Agriculture: from The Plant to the Baker District Presentation of two case studies in integrating a meaningful strategy of urban agriculture in mixed use developments within the One Planet Living Framework. Building on the lessons learned from The Plant, now nearing completion in Toronto, the Baker District development in Guelph plans to embed urban agriculture in all facets of the development. |
| 2:05 | Benjamin Fahrer, Co-founder, Top Leaf Farms | Top Leaf Farms- Urban Farming Case Study Top Leaf Farms has developed a growing system that assists ecological processes to re-hydrate the built environment while growing nutrient dense food with regenerative techniques. Top Leaf has designed, built and operated a number of rooftop farming projects in the SF bay area with the objective of creating buildings that come to life while growing food where people live. Our physical system requires a successful social component as well, we assist training urban farmers in production for their own livelihood through a collaborative partnership with local non-profits and community based organizations.This presentation will also give examples of Top Leaf's customized overburden and growing medium, as well as developing locally adapted seeds and building relationships between diverse communities. |
| 2:25 | Q&A | |
| 2:35 | Break | |
| 2:45 | Jeremy Wright, Business Development and Project Manager, ZinCo Canada | Enhancing the Productivity of Green Roofs Through Rooftop Farming Understanding how a rooftop farm is developed from concept to construction is important for all parties considering creating a rooftop farm. Jeremy will present on recently completed rooftop farm projects in Toronto that are a showcase for productive green roof spaces, as well as some of the exciting opportunities for rooftop research and industry advancement. |
| 3:05 | Yara Nagi, Operations Director, Agritecture | Financial Strategies in Urban Agriculture and What to Do During Times of Uncertainty This presentation will focus on financial strategies and steps one should take if they are thinking about starting a farm or are currently working in one. Specific examples from a rooftop farm I have operated will be included in the discussion. Additionally, those steps will be connected to the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture and the strategies an operating can implement during these times of uncertainty. |
| 3:25 | Jayne Miles, Operations Coordinator, Ryerson Urban Farm | Ryerson Urban Farm Case Study The Ryerson Urban Farm operates rooftop growing spaces on Ryerson University’s campus in downtown Toronto using spray-free, ecological methods. We offer educational programming and engage with researchers and community partners through our Living Lab. Our main production space is a quarter-acre rooftop farm designed in the market garden tradition with over 50 crops and three bee hives. Our second rooftop farm, housed on a new campus building across the street, is the first purpose-built rooftop farm established under the City of Toronto’s green roof by-law for food production. |
| 3:45 | Q&A | |
| 4:00 | Wayne Roberts, Food Policy Analyst and Writer; Natasha Arsenijevich, Director, Sustainability Programs at The Transformation Initiative; Jessie Banhazl, CEO & Founder, Green City Growers; Rodney Brooks, New Farmer and Rancher Regional Specialist, USDA | Panel Discussion: Mainstreaming Building Integrated Agriculture Mainstreaming urban food production will take cooperation between all sectors including city planning, developers and community members. This panel discussion will review numerous strategies/measures that we can start taking to implement more urban agriculture and therefore to start recovering from COVID19 while creating greener, more resilient communities. |
Learn About:
The benefits of urban and rooftop agriculture
How environmental, social, and economic benefits build a case for urban and rooftop agriculture
Emerging urban agricultural practices
New opportunities to advance the urban agriculture industry
Examples of urban agriculture thriving
Cost:
30 USD Admission