FIGURE 4. The Benefits of Urban Agriculture

Individual Gardens are run by

one person, family, or business. They are typically private and production is generally for personal use. Individual gardens are often located on an individual’s home property or side yard.

Community Gardens contain

individual plots for use by community members. They are generally publicly accessible or open to the community members who maintain plots.

Growing Home Garden Source: PA Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth Media Services

Community Farms take a unified approach to the management of planting and beds. They are often run by community organizations, groups, or nonprofits, and crops are often shared or sold locally.

Mill Creek Farm Source: www.millcreekurbanfarm.org

Market Farms are business enterprises that produce crops, seeds, or flowers for sale. They can be run by an individual (with workers) or by a cooperative of farmers.

Germantown Kitchen Garden Source: www.facebook.com

Social Gardens are green or open spaces that function primarily as a social space for community use. They are not necessarily food-producing.

Hicks Street Garden Source: www.facebook.com Growing from the Root classifies growing spaces into ten garden types.

Institutional Gardens are run

by places of worship, hospitals, libraries, prisons, universities, or other institutions (excluding K-12 schools).

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Sea Garden Source: www.chop.edu

School Gardens are run by a K–12 school, generally on school property. They are generally used by students and teachers, with some access for parents, other known and trusted individuals, or community members who help maintain the garden.

Gideon Elementary Garden Source: www.phila.gov

Food Forests/Orchards are food-

producing spaces within the public right-of-way, parks, or other natural areas. Food forests consist of fruit and nut orchards or edible landscapes that may be cultivated or naturally occurring. They are sought by people knowledgeable about foraging.

Source: www.phillyorchards.org

Indoor Agriculture and

Rooftop Gardens may employ

vertical growing techniques, hydroponics, aquaponics, and other methods. They may be run by individuals, institutions, nonprofits, business enterprises, or other entities.

Aquaponics in Adaire School’s Science Lab Photo Credit: Michaela Winberg for Billy Penn

Agricultural Uses include

commercial farming (e.g., greenhouse, and nursery crop cultivation), raising animals (e.g., bees, goats, hogs, and cows), large animal veterinary facilities, and agricultural support services (e.g., farm machinery equipment, supplies, sale, and repair).

Milling Trees at Organics Recycling Center Source: Philadelphia Parks & Rec