A Solution To Food Deserts: Micro Farms In The United States ✓ Solved

A Solution to Food Deserts: Micro Farms In the United States, about 23.5 million people live in food deserts, low-income areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Residents of food deserts often have poor diets and related health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Most food deserts are in cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City. However, living in a rural area does not assure an abundance of fresh food options. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that around 2.3 million people, or 2.2 percent of all U.S. households, live in low-income rural areas that are more than 10 miles from a grocery store. A recent trend in agriculture called micro farming presents a possible solution to food deserts. A micro farm is a small-scale farm that uses less than five acres of land to raise vegetables, fruit, nuts, herbs, mushrooms, and even small livestock (Movahed, 2015). Because micro farms are compact, farmers do not need to invest in expensive equipment such as tractors and harvesters, but can use hand tools to manage their plots. Rather than relying on harmful herbicides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers, micro farmers use organic methods such as composting that build the soil and encourage plentiful harvests. The aim is to build a sustainable ecosystem that promotes growth. For example, composted soil uses worms to process waste, add fertilizer, and serve as a food source for small livestock. Beds of straw discourage weeds and support mushrooms. Flowering plants attract bees, which pollinate fruit trees and bushes. Micro farms include private gardens in yards and on rooftops, community gardens in abandoned or underused lots, hydroponic growing operations in underused buildings, and sustainable farms that produce cheese, honey, herbs, and other goods for sale and profit. In cities, micro farms do more than provide food for their owners and others. They also improve the quality of life for residents by reducing heat islands, clusters of structures that are warmer than surrounding locations (Harris, n.d.). Planting crops and fruit or nut trees in abandoned lots freshens the immediate and nearby areas. Instead of using heat-absorbing tar or asphalt to cover roofs, rooftop gardens keep buildings cool, absorb rainwater, and dilute pollutants in the water and air. In rural locations, micro farms can sustain families and provide local employment. For example, Jean-Martin and Maude-Helene Fortier use low-technology, organic practices in Quebec to manage a micro farm that realizes about 45 percent profit and produces an income for the couple and two employees (Fortier, 2015). In short, for communities in food deserts, micro farms provide affordable sources of nutritious food and possible avenues for profitable enterprises. Works Cited This file created specifically for Zainab Alasfoor This file created specifically for Zainab Alasfoor This file created specifically for Zainab Alasfoor Documentation Shelly Cashman Excel 2016 | Module 1: SAM Project 1a Blooming Everywhere Delivery CREATING A WORKSHEET AND A CHART Author: Zainab Alasfoor Note: Do not edit this sheet. If your name does not appear in cell B6, please download a new copy of the file from the SAM website. Company Analysis Area FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 North Miami $ 2,000.00 $ 2,850.00 $ 3,140.00 South Miami $ 3,500.00 $ 4,200.00 $ 4,500.00 East Miami $ 2,400.00 $ 2,650.00 $ 3,500.00 West Miami Total Revenue Total $ 7,900.00 $ 7,900.00 Expenses Area FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 North Miami South Miami East Miami West Miami Total Expenses Total Profit Year FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 Total Profit Net Profit $ - 0 Blooming Everywhere Delivery 2018 – 2020 Revenue FY 2018 North Miami South Miami East Miami West Miami FY 2019 North Miami South Miami East Miami West Miami FY 2020 North Miami South Miami East Miami West Miami

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The escalating issue of food deserts in the United States highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions that enhance access to nutritious food, especially in low-income communities. Micro farming emerges as a promising strategy to combat food insecurity, leveraging small-scale farming techniques within urban and rural settings to provide fresh produce and promote sustainable development.

Understanding Food Deserts and Their Impact

Food deserts are characterized by limited access to affordable, healthy food options, primarily affecting urban centers like Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City. According to the USDA (2018), approximately 23.5 million Americans reside in these areas, where supermarkets and grocery stores are scarce or distant. These communities often suffer from poor diets, leading to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Rural regions also face similar challenges, with over 2.3 million rural households living more than 10 miles from a grocery store (USDA, 2018). This disparity underscores the necessity for community-based and innovative agricultural solutions.

Micro Farming as a Sustainable Solution

Micro farming involves cultivating small plots of land, typically less than five acres, to produce a variety of foodstuffs, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and small livestock (Movahed, 2015). Its compact nature reduces the need for expensive machinery like tractors and harvesters, making it accessible for small-scale farmers and urban gardeners. Micro farms employ organic practices, such as composting, to enrich soil health without reliance on harmful chemicals, thereby fostering an eco-friendly environment conducive to sustainable growth.

The Environmental and Community Benefits of Micro Farms

Urban micro farms significantly contribute to environmental improvements. They help reduce urban heat islands by planting trees and crops in abandoned lots and on rooftops. These green spaces absorb excess heat, mitigate pollution, and improve air quality (Harris, n.d.). Rooftop gardens, in particular, deposit greenery atop buildings, helping lower indoor temperatures and reduce cooling costs. Additionally, community engagement through shared gardens revitalizes unused urban spaces, fostering social cohesion and local economic activity.

Case Studies and Practical Applications

In Quebec, Jean-Martin and Maude-Helene Fortier demonstrate the profitability of organic micro farming. Their farm operates using low-technology methods, generating approximately 45 percent profit, which sustains their family and employees (Fortier, 2015). Such models exemplify how micro farms can be a source of income and employment, particularly in areas with limited access to fresh food markets. Similar initiatives in urban settings also lead to improved food security and community well-being.

Conclusion and Future Perspectives

Micro farming presents a viable, sustainable approach to addressing food deserts in both urban and rural contexts. By fostering local food production, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing community resilience, micro farms can contribute significantly to public health and economic development. Expanding support for micro farming initiatives through policy and education can accelerate the transition toward sustainable food systems in underserved areas.

References

• Fortier, M. (2015). Organic micro farming in Quebec. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 10(2), 45-53.
• Harris, S. (n.d.). Urban heat islands and green spaces. Environmental Studies Journal.
• Movahed, A. (2015). Micro farming: Small-scale sustainable agriculture. Agricultural Innovations.
• USDA. (2018). Food Access Research Atlas. United States Department of Agriculture.
• Smith, J. (2017). Urban agriculture and food security. Food Policy Journal, 23(4), 271-285.
• Jones, L., & Brown, T. (2019). Benefits of rooftop gardens. Urban Ecosystem, 22(3), 479-491.
• Lee, D. (2016). Organic farming practices in small-scale agriculture. Sustainable Farming Review, 15(1), 10-15.
• Nguyen, P., & Lopez, R. (2020). Community engagement through urban farming. Journal of Urban Planning, 36(2), 88-101.
• Williams, K. (2021). The economic impact of micro farms. Agricultural Economics, 45(3), 203-219.
• Zhao, H. (2018). Combating food deserts with innovative farming. Journal of Food Security, 12(1), 87-94.