L I F E B R I K
GROW ANYWHERE
OUR MISSION
At LifeBrik, we believe that if metropolitan areas are to thrive, urban agriculture will prove to be a key aspect of their development and sustenance. By easing the application of this practice, we hope that communities across the country would be able to experience the asset that urban agriculture can be in promoting a sustainable community. These benefits can be summarized into four instrumental layers:
Social, Environmental, Public Health, & Economic.
The layers of our Mission
01
SOCIAL
02
ENVIRONMENTAL
03
PUBLIC HEALTH
04
ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY BUILDING
While oftentimes being the most difficult to tangibly demonstrate, many studies cite the social resolve formed from urban farming or gardening to be the most beneficial outcome.1,2,3,4 Urban agriculture projects facilitate communal interactions, reenergizing communities and strengthening social ties. A community garden or urban farm can provide a gathering place, separate from work or home, bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds who may not have conversed otherwise, also strengthening intergenerational relationships.5,6,7 These projects have proven to act as catalysts for civic involvement and engagement, with participants seeing their work as personal stakes and ownership in their communities.8
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SOCIAL
EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY
01
02
In addition to increasing overall social capital, urban agriculture projects have been shown to provide educational opportunities for those who work on them, with a particular impact on youth.9, 10 The engaging and constructive nature of active agriculture has shown to improve knowledge outcomes when considering farming and gardening practices, the importance of healthy foods, environmental stewardship, and the gravity of civic engagement.11,12 By connecting individuals with the food growth process, urban agriculture fosters a unique connection to the food, land, and labor. Community members grow closer and learn invaluable lessons in the process of becoming active consumers of their foods.
LOCAL
With infrastructure notoriously lacking in green space, urban agriculture is a refreshing environmental addition to most any city. The practice improves local ecosystems through a number of impactful methods, such as increasing biodiversity,5 providing a habitat for pollinators,13 mitigating air pollution, enriched drainage systems, improving the recycling of organic waste through composting.14 These are but a few of the benefits that urban agriculture can provide to its ecosystem, in addition to local benefits, urban agriculture can also have large scale environmental impacts. Investing in local produce means a drastic reduction in “food miles” or the amount of greenhouse gas emissions required to transport food to its destination.15 Further than reducing waste, urban vegetation even works to sequester carbon waste, a particularly foul byproduct of large metropolitan areas.16 The positive impact that urban agriculture has on its environment is palpable, the practice can invigorate local communities bringing about positive change.
ENVIRONMENTAL
WIDE-SCALE
01
02
FOOD SECURITY
Urban agriculture bolsters healthy habits and combats food insecurity by providing fresh, local food access to its respective community. The act of tending to an urban farm or community garden is often physical activity itself, promoting healthy lifestyles in those who contribute. Furthermore, communities that produce fresh fruits and vegetables are also shown to consume more fruits and vegetables, contributing to a well rounded, nutritious diet.17,18,19 Increased local fresh produce consumption has also been linked to a higher likelihood of trying new foods, diversifying the pallet of and providing opportunities to further cultural heritage and development.20 Urban agriculture has the ability to close the gap between produce and consumer, improving the health outcomes for communities as a whole.
public health
ACCESS TO LOCAL, FRESH, HEALTHY ITEMS
01
02
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
One of the least obvious benefits of increased urban agriculture is the improvement of economic outcomes for communities that adopt it. Farming and gardening often provide workforce opportunities, particularly for disenfranchised populations.21 These agricultural plots also increase the value of surrounding property, again specifically assisting disadvantaged neighborhoods.22 Lastly, urban agriculture has the entrepreneurial potential to attract capital and create various business opportunities, enriching its resident community.23 Among the plethora of positivity that urban farming can bring to a neighborhood, the fiscal aspect is nothing to dismiss.