For the past couple of years, there has been a surge in urban gardening. But what is urban gardening? Urban gardening is a sustainable way of cultivating food, mainly fruits, vegetables, and herbs, in concrete jungles. Those who cultivate within these concrete jungles do so for many different reasons. Urban farming increases the health of those who partake in it. It also is extensive ecological benefits. Urban gardening is a great way for people who live in the big city to grow fresh foods from their homes. These freshly grown fruits and vegetables are often slightly fresher and cheaper than those from markets and grocery stores. They are cultivated and sold all in the same location. Urban farming should not be confused with community gardening, homesteading, or subsistence farming, which are similar movements that have subtle but vast differences in mission, according to GreensGrow.
With the surge of people interested in urban gardening, it has become a real grassroots movement. There have been attempts to pass legislation that not only supports urban farming, but also encourages it.
Sustainable urban gardening is a unique and revolutionary way to bring increase health in our inner cities across America. This movement gives people in the community a personal connection with those cultivating their food. This way, they'll choose healthier options, will become accustomed to "real" food, and eventually grow a disdain for artificial foods with unnecessary added ingredients. Therefore, they'll be more invested in the quality of their food and who is growing it. Here is a more extensive look at the benefits of urban farming.
Food from local urban farms are fresher and taste better. This leaves a better residue with its consumers. Also, it saves the consumer money "during times of abundance," according to Ensia. There are no perceivable realistic cons to urban farming.
Here at Howard University, there is also a Garden Club that has created a formal garden on the Howard Plaza Towers surplus land. Just a few short weeks ago they held a herb sale, selling fresh lavender, basil, and other herbs of the sort. The Howard Garden Club plans on cultivating a variety of organic produce and making it available for students to purchase. This initiative will help students become more involved in healthy eats. This a great way to increase health around campus. The knowledge and the habits students gain from their experience will be take back to their homes and their communities. It promotes heightened health, ecological, social, and economic benefits.
