Gardening in the city is nothing new: Boston (and Greater Boston) residents have long been growing their own food via urban in-ground vegetable gardens, raised-bed vegetable gardens, and container vegetable gardens anywhere the sun shines (including rooftops). But urban farming is another concept entirely. It's production-level agriculture, meaning growing enough produce to supply a restaurant, farm stand, CSA, or grocery store, and it's being taken to the rooftops where there's seemingly unlimited available space.
Urban farming on rooftops got its start in Boston in June 2010, when the first rooftop farm project was completed at Ledge Kitchen and Drinks Restaurant in Dorchester.
Proliferation of these large-scale projects has been a little slow to grow, with the addition three years later of Whole Foods Lynnfield (completed spring 2013) and Higher Ground Farm (completed June 2013). But hold onto your farmer hats, because with the adoption of Article 89 in December 2013, rooftop farming in Boston is about explode!
Article 89 allows for commercial urban agriculture, which makes it possible for farmers to grow and sell their produce in the city.
The conversion of unused urban rooftops into farms has been perfected over the past 4 years through a partnership that combines the engineering expertise of Recover Green Roofs and the farming expertise of Green City Growers, evident in the overwhelming success of the farms at Ledge and Whole Foods. Multiple projects are in the works for 2014 that will propel urban agriculture in Boston to the next level, joining the ranks of cities like Seattle, San Francisco, New York and Chicago.
Being able to offer locally grown or sourced products becomes increasingly essential with each passing year for Boston restaurants and grocers to stay competitive. Being able to offer menu items and produce sourced from a business' own rooftop farm truly sets them apart, making them local leaders. If you own a Greater Boston business with a rooftop, take advantage of the newly streamlined process and request a site visit to start your own rooftop farm project.
For residents looking to get started growing their own, register for the GCG Urban Farming Certification Course March 21-23, an intensive weekend course covering everything you need to know about small-scale urban farming including chickens (provided by Khrysti Smyth) and beekeeping (provided by Boston's Best Bees).
The future is now. It's here. Join the urban rooftop farming movement, or be left behind on the ground...
