Urban Farming Labor Dynamics
New employment opportunities in the sustainable agro industry.
Realizing urban farming will create positive impacts in terms of sustainability. Obvious developments will be a reduction in freight tramsportation, less carbon emissions and an increase in fresh produce. Both reduce costs and increase quality. Imagine vertical farming in the form of silos with several floors of agro activity in the city. Combined with technology in the form of social media, the farmer will have new business model. His role as producer will shift to facilitator. Ground in the silo’s will be rented by company’s, organisations and individuals. With social media and online tools the farmer will have a precise view on the supply and demand dynamics of the market. The farmer’s production will be in direct dialogue with the consumer of his goods. From the current situation to vertical urban farming the distribution logistics will shift from freight and storage to a direct exchange with the client, at both individual and organizational quantities. Agro products will be ordered on line and monitored via social media. When ready they will be picked up or delivered to the customer. At the individual level it works like this, a rent a section of agro ground and choose to grow potatoes and carrots on it. I can specify if want biological produce. I can see the growth online via a social media web site, where I also see other farming activities and can engage in dialogues with other people and organizations. When the produce is ready, I arrive at the cafe downstairs, have a coffee and go home with basket of fresh produce. The mystic of country life returns to the city. Lees verder… »
