Listening 9 – Listen for specific words

Urban agriculture is, quite simply, the practice of cultivating food in a town or city environment. It is not a new concept; for many , humans have tended to crops and raised animals in and around cities.

However, urban farming fell out of favor in the second half of the twentieth century. City in many countries – especially in the US – have sought to sever the links between the city and the country, creating the idea of the modern metropolis as being distinct from the rural and agricultural areas. In addition, development has led to a shift in the workforce; nowadays, not as many people pursue farming as their main livelihood. But now the ancient practice of urban agriculture is coming back into vogue.

One reason for the renewed interest in urban farming is the prices of fossil fuels, which makes it expensive to transport food from faraway farms into the cities. This is prompting people to look for more food sources – such as fruits and vegetables grown in backyards and on balconies. As environmental resources dwindle, urban agriculture offers a potential for providing food to the global population. It is projected that sixty percent of the world’s people will live in cities by the year 2030.

Another factor that has revitalized the urban agriculture movement is the growing for organic food. Urban gardens often use sustainable farming practices and avoid pesticides. Nowadays, more and more consumers are gravitating to fresh, locally-grown food as opposed to the mass-produced and industrialized items found in big . Food grown in urban gardens is also more nourishing because of the decrease in time between production and consumption – in the 5-10 days it takes to food from the farm to the dinner table, 30-50% of the nutrients can be lost.

Besides the  benefits, urban agriculture also has an element of aesthetic appeal – city gardens add a cheerful touch of greenery to the stark urban landscape. Urban farming projects can also the overall health of a neighborhood. People who participate in caring for community gardens report less , better social relationships, and increased community pride. In some cases, the crime and rates even go down in areas that practice urban agriculture.

Even New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is a hub for urban agriculture, with more than 600 projects throughout the city’s neighborhoods. Fruit and vegetables are grown in rooftop greenhouses and agricultural spaces within city .

Most of the programs are run by volunteers, and a number have free educational programs in which participants can learn about nutrition and farming. There is even a restaurant which serves food from its own rooftop garden; the changes based on which foods are in season.