Urban agriculture is reinventing itself for the modern age. Alongside other alternative sectors, it is exploring the possibilities of competitive, environmentally-friendly agriculture. 

In this module, you will learn about:

• The social and economic factors driving the rise of urban agriculture.
• The various functions and benefits of urban agriculture.
• The logistical and economic decisions involved in choosing, designing, and creating your own urban farm.
• The numerous partners who will play a role in your project.
• How urban farms around the world are embracing the challenge of providing local, healthy, and sustainable food.

This second module presents different types of alternative farming techniques such as agroecology and permaculture, serving as a guide for urban farmers.

Within this module, you will discover:

• What defines a sustainable and ethical agriculture.
• Agroecology: an alternative agriculture.
• Permaculture as a design philosophy.
• A natural, productive urban ecosystem.

Urban agriculture remains largely undefined from a legal standpoint, yet it is experiencing significant growth. Urban farmers are pioneers in this field, actively building networks with various collaborators to enhance their chances of achieving financial independence.

In this module, we will explore the key aspects of creating a successful urban farm, including the legal, economic, and social elements. You’ll learn:

• How to make legal procedures an asset for your project
• How to multiply revenue sources to achieve economic viability
• Contacts among local and national urban agriculture networks

This module will guide you in using the techniques promoted by permaculture, along with insights from experienced urban farmers, to plan the launch of your own farm.

In this module, you will delve into:

• Criteria for selecting the ideal location for your urban farm.
• A comparison of various farm business models, ranging from family home gardens to medium scale farms, based on the income you aim to generate.
• Strategies for moving from a general idea to detailed implementation.
• How to use the zoning technique in permaculture farm design to develop your site.
• Essential tools for organizing and monitoring your business. 

Before you begin, it’s essential to understand and harness the natural elements that influence your site. The goal isn’t to recreate a perfect ecosystem, but to grasp the existing dynamics that could impact your project. Key factors such as soil health, water management, and energy efficiency will play a crucial role in the success of your farm.

In this module, you’ll dive into the practical aspects of setting up your farm, including:

• Detecting soil pollution on your site and exploring various solutions.
• Preparing your soil for fertilization and cultivation.
• Exploring low-tech alternatives for soil cultivation.
• Optimizing water usage with alternative storage methods.
• The challenges of rainwater harvesting in urban environments.
• Implementing low-tech irrigation systems for your land.
• Strategies for reducing your farm’s energy consumption.

This module emphasizes the importance of the synergy between wildlife and plant life for a naturally resilient farm. You’ll explore site biodiversity and discover zero-waste agricultural practices, with a particular focus on composting.

Key learning points include:

• The importance of crop selection and purchasing quality seeds.
• Enhancing crop resilience through plant and animal biodiversity.
• Managing common urban pests effectively.
• Welcoming “wild” biodiversity and understanding its role.
• The different types of composters and how they operate.
• Utilizing green manure from composting to enrich your soil.

In module seven, we transition to low-tech cultivation techniques and explore efficient strategies for managing the harvest. You will understand how to:

• Optimize the use of space on your farm.
• Extend your growing season using low-tech methods.
• Establish a dedicated crop processing space.
• Optimize sowing your seedlings to avoid transplanting.
• Techniques for harvesting and preparing your plants for delivery.
• An overview of the best tools, custom-built by other agro-ecology farmers.

Prepare to create and sustain an artificial ecosystem. This module introduces you to soilless cultivation, guiding you through the design, installation, and maintenance of a hydroponic system. 

In this module, you will examine:

• Various techniques for soilless cultivation.
• Environmental advantages of hydroponics.
• Hydroponic systems suitable for your site and installation tips.
• Managing and monitoring your hydroponic setup.
• Mineral fertilizer recipe.
• Common hydroponic system pests and strategies for pest control.

Through this module you will gain comprehensive insights into creating and managing sustainable aquaponic systems by understanding:

• • How an aquaponic ecosystem works.
  • The feasibility of installing an aquaponics system. 
  • Guidelines for selecting suitable plants and animals.
  • How to initiate the cycling process for your aquaponic system.
  • The components and operation of an aquaponics setup.

In the final module, you’ll gain the essential tools to organize, expand, and sustain your urban farm. Our hope is that you will, in turn, guide the next generation of urban farmers. Learning is also about passing on knowledge, and many urban farmers are increasing their income by training other aspiring project leaders.

This concluding module covers:

• The distinction between education and training
• Effective andragogy practices, which focus on the science of teaching adults.
• Unveiling your innate teaching capabilities.
• Creating a training program. 
• Employing a multitude of strategies to actively engage your students.