THE TRUTH ABOUT URBAN FARMING
Tips, Tricks
The risks and rewards of urban farming in high-density cities. SUB: http://bit.ly/2d7dQgd POPULAR VIDEOS: http://bit.ly/2cmcFLe ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ CLICK “SHOW MORE” FOR RESOURCES ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ Music by MK2 1 Day Workshop: http://bit.ly/2cziu7v Donate: http://theurbanfarmer.co/support/ My online course: www.profitableurbanfarming.com My book: www.theurbanfarmer.co Theme music composed by Curtis Stone and performed by Dylan Ranney. facebook.com/GreenCityAcres twitter.com/GreenCityAcres ___ FARM EQUIPMENT I USE: Quick Cut Greens Harvester: http://bit.ly/1W3nLGb Knife and Tool Sharpener: http://bit.ly/29DHlos Jang Seeder: http://goo.gl/XGvJtl Row Bags: http://goo.gl/eI1CLp Insect Netting: http://goo.gl/rjyimK The Coolbot: http://bit.ly/2cziu7v ___ CAMERA EQUIPMENT I USE: Canon Rebel T6i: http://amzn.to/29JApHr Canon wide angle lens 10-18mm: http://amzn.to/2a2t1pl Shure Lens Hopper shotgun mic: http://amzn.to/29zpdMz Joby Gorilla Pod (flexible tripod): http://amzn.to/29JBBu7 Go Pro action camera: http://amzn.to/29JBU8j Phantom 4 Drone: http://amzn.to/29zqenG iPad 4 for drone controller: http://amzn.to/29vwKdh
Comments
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People and their dogs & litter, stray cats.....
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If planting in that area is really something that you wanted to do. then maybe a partnership with the town or school district could be a solution. maybe get the land rent free as long as you teach classes .
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Have you seen the movie "Limitless"??? I live in Nebraska, USA. You and I my friend must speak at your convenience... My cell 308 380 5667. Thank you in advance.
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$80k/acre/3 = $5.50 per sq foot, which seems way too high of a budget to bring in soil. I can get compost delivered in 15 yard batches for $325, or $0.80 per cubit foot. Topsoil is cheaper. The peat/sand/compost "garden" mix (one third each part) is under $1.20 per cubic foot. If the soil is that damaged, I wonder if pure container gardening would not make more sense.
Another "truth" which you seem to be blind to - Your model of high turnover, high price crops is not inherently "scalable" to the full dietary needs of the people. Also, the very high value crops - microgreens at $15/pound - are pure luxury items. This limits the scalability of your impact. How can urban farming deliver 2,000 calories per person per day - protein/carbs/fat + greens - to the average person?
I love gardening, and I like and applaud what your are doing on many levels. Also, as you say, start small and expand. But, clearly, a difficult area of expansion will be to have economically viable urban farming that will cover the full "food pyramid" that is also affordable to the average person?
I particularly appreciate your comments that many people just don't give a shit. That is just reality - I have learned (somewhat) that when I am interested or enthusiastic about something, I have to be satisfied with the reality that I may be the only one who cares.
Having said that, I am interested and enthusiastic about what you are doing. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Or, in the words of Webcajun - "Lache Pas!" -
Really great video with such honest information. That part about people you're trying to save by providing them with fresh lettuce is all too true. Even from an nutritional standpoint I can't get my own friends and family to stop eating burger king and other junk and incorporate fresh veggies into their diets. I even GIVE them bags of fresh produce from my own garden and much of it doesn't get eaten before it becomes compost... too many addictive foods with salt sugar and fat take precedence.
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Great video, Curtis! Thanks for sharing these tips and your honesty in doing so. Greatly appreciated! Peace, Drew
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hey Curtis how do you get rid of slugs in the garden
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only thing you got wrong curtis is that you devalued the beneficial effect of your farming in terms of its benefit to the environmemt. the biggest cost besides labor is transportation and the more food that isn't going on a semi and being shipped to California the better; And that's no small contribution considering that the average meal has traveled 2000 miles to get to you or whatever it is. don't sell yourself short this is the best model we have yet.
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Great stuff once again, your straight forwardness and realistic viewpoints are golden!
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Thank you for honesty Curtis. You don´t have to be afraid to tell us the truth. Even if it´s harsh. :) Regards from Czech Republic.
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You nailed some inconvenient truths there Curtis. Good job.
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Great video Curtis. I recently started my farm in Finland on city owned land. Some thoughts on your first points for a real world situation:
1) Yes. Even though my plan fit in with the master plan for the area and all the government departments wanted this to start, it took nearly a year and eventually cost 5000 euros for an archeological excavation (my site has one of the highest cultural protections in the country).
2) My site is right next to a highway and was a farm for hundreds of years so we had to test the soil for heavy metals. Luckily it was exceptionally clean, but no one will want to eat your produce if you just shrug this one off.
3) Luckily for me the only real shade issue are from trees which the city took down (and that I will turn into mulch, mushrooms, and building material). Still a heck of a lot of work just to get the fields to have a minimum of sunshine in the spring/autumn.
4) Definitely an issue. I'll be using design to guide people through well identified and patterned access routes and use signage to inform what is happening. Oh, and the main police station for this area of the country is one block away and they walk their police dogs through the property for exercise so I've got a quick 112 if need be ;)
5) Yes. I'm in the middle of the second largest city in Finland, but luckily the way the landscape goes my place isn't really highly trafficked. Its also quite large (for an urban lot, 2ha) and Finns are quiet people so I don't expect to be interrupted too much. Though the highway noise is something else! -
people are poor and stay poor for a reason. Sad but true.
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When are you visiting the southern Appalachian? Come check out Roots and Fruits market in black mountain North Carolina. http://rootsandfruitsmarket.com/
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Thank you for your thought! I find your videos valueble and I support you both mentalt and financially. Love the "kit" of info i bought. There are so much there...
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Certainly, one issue with new businesses is looking at their reasons for starting a business in the first place. It's important to not assume that people share your values or methods. Thanks for pointing that out. Also, I like the information you shared (off the cuff, no less!) about how much it would realistically cost to "renovate that space. Most of us see a grassy spot, perhaps unused in a city and assume that because you have grass and soil, you have a clean spot in which to grow food. It is important to start looking at what was there before, as you said perhaps a gas station, etc.
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Totally legit comments. That's one of the things I love about your channel - you're excellent at thinking critically and sharing nuanced thoughts/ideas with people, instead of what we see too often with some people where dogma takes over / "one size fits all" answers. Loving your efforts with your youtube channel, much admiration and respect.
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People dont forget aquaponics and hydroponics for top of roofs etc. Its not always the best choice but it will save you having to ship in heaps of dirt .
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sorry Curtis didn't mean to put that k in there
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I have experience in aquaponics and in urban farming aquaponics is a great option. Also certain things people don't think about with aquaponics is how much easier it is on your body. In a sense it takes more brain less brawn. Since I experimented with aquaponics I have never wanted to do traditional farming just because of how much less physical labor involved. Keep pushing it kurtis thank you
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