We Can Grow All Our Own Food in the City

Without deliveries, New York City would run out of produce in two days. But there is enough rooftop space to supply the entire city with all the fresh produce it can eat. And there are also windows.

These 3 videos demonstrate what’s possible and how it works. Video 1, The Science Barge, tells you all about hydroponics. The video on page 2 focuses on window gardens, and the one on page 3 is on rooftop gardens.

The Amazing Science Barge

This first video takes us to the Science Barge, anchored in the Hudson River. The Barge is a demonstration station which shows school children and city dwellers how to grow vegetables easily and cheaply using any available space.

The Barge is a small scale farm which uses a variety of hydroponic systems and only alternative energy. Its goal is to teach city dwellers about sustainability of food, water, energy, and waste.

You’ll be amazed to see how everything gets recycled on the barge.

On page 2 you’ll see a very personal solution, which the creator calls ‘Windowfarms’.

Urban Farming: Hydroponics in the City from Dawn Productions on Vimeo.

Photo credit: Ryan Somma

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

1:31AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Mervi R.

12:40PM PDT on Sep 14, 2010

Great post, thanks!

Terrence B.

5:39PM PDT on Sep 5, 2010

Now if I can keep the pests out of my roof from creeping down into my home.

Lets see do I grow enough for myself or do I want to keep and expand to all the roof tops and grow for the whole community?

oh that is about right - if your township even allows this.

Lets just convert all the empty lots in all the cities into gardens

lets leave the rooftops for the rain collection.

The lots are just growing weeds anyway . lets get them more productive.

Jewels S.

5:40PM PDT on Sep 1, 2010

It is so great to hear these concepts becoming more known. The roof garden has long been my quest. If I were mayor, gov or making laws, I would require all new buildings to include a roof garden. The grain and meat can be stored so you would just have to plan to have a bit more on hand for emergency. No need to throw the idea out because one aspect is not addressed with this solution.

Past Member .

8:32PM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

wow

Karin M.

12:18PM PDT on Aug 9, 2010

fish swimming in a blue plastic box . is it larger than it looks in the video and how many fish were there.

Jason H.

10:21AM PDT on Jul 28, 2010

Produce is all well and good, but how are we going to grow enough grain on rooftops? Rooftop rice paddies? Rooftop cornfields? Rooftop wheat fields? Considering the grains are the largest food group on any version of the food pyramid, they are crucial.

johan l.

6:28AM PDT on Jul 25, 2010

Perfect answer for those who are committed vegans.
I personally would have problems as I cannot possibly have a cow on my roof!
Interesting article though, and food for thought!

Amish M.

11:12AM PDT on Jul 21, 2010

This is such an inspiring concept....it has the potential of converting an entire metropolis like Bombay into a huge Food farm. Providing Food for the populace of India is a huge poser for the government as more parts of the country are getting urbanized resulting in reduced farmlands.

This method can help offset this situation & whats more, there is very little carbon emission involved as the food is grown locally (right above ur dining table) instead of places miles away. This will also help reduce the prices of groceries making it more affordable for the common man.

This is one intelligent discovery.

Tanya G.

8:05AM PDT on Jul 21, 2010

Now this is WOW alright!