The Promise of Urban Agriculture: National Study of Commercial Farming in Urban Areas

Anu Rangarajan and Molly Riordan

No 320850, Analysis from United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Transportation and Marketing Program

Abstract: Excerpts from the Executive Summary: Urban and peri-urban farms have proliferated around the United States in the past decades. Although considerable attention has been paid to the impact of this emerging farm sector on social indicators, such as fresh food access, youth engagement, community development, and educational attainment, far less attention has been paid in the research literature to the economic and commercial promise of urban-based agriculture. Nevertheless, despite the high risks and narrow profit margins often associated with growing and selling farm products, some urban farms have managed to develop successful business strategies that merge economic objectives and social mission in a profitable manner. Our purpose in conducting this study was to investigate the commercial promise of urban-based agriculture and uncover those specific urban farm characteristics that seem to be linked most closely to long-term survivability and growth. The study posits that urban farms have the potential to be commercially viable and economically self-sufficient, while offering a multitude of quality of life benefits for community residents, which may include: economic security and sustainability; empowerment of small business owners and entrepreneurs; access to employment opportunities, job training, and skill development; expanded access to nutritious food; community beautification and safety; and greater opportunities for interpersonal connection.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Agricultural Finance; Community/Rural/Urban Development; Marketing; Production Economics; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 216
Date: 2019-08
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uamstr:320850

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.320850

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