When I first became aware that my simple gardening in the backyard had significance was when I stood in the grocery store wide eyed, gazing at prime real estate voided of all edible delights. Instead strategically placed white laminated signs ready to withstand the abuse of hungry consumers reading, " Due to unusually cold temperatures and unpredictable weather, we would like to apologise for the shortage of produce." I couldn't believe it all the months of research ( writhing a dissertation on the integration of agriculture into the urban environment) had hit home; we DO really have a food crises not just in some far off land that we'll never see (or view form the various forms of media that we endlessly produce from the comforts of a plush couch or fancy office) but right in our own community. Since then I watched carefully as I gauged the prices, quality, and quantity from various parts of the city and there is a big discrepancy amongst the income strata. As populations increase and resources become more and more limited what are we as a human race willing to pay or should I say can afford to pay? I have envisioned myself as a noble visionary ready to step foot into the future while embracing the past. I trust that the rest of the army (farmers) will follow suit when they feel it is time. I have decided to share my journey in urban farming to ensure that others could be motivated to embrace productive landscaping and welcome incorporating agriculture into our cities as it has been in historic times.
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