Urban agriculture, which encompasses both home use and commercial sales, has shown positive impacts on enhancing sustainable agriculture and food security, especially for disadvantaged and underrepresented citizens. The benefits of community gardens/farms have been found to be extensive, including improved quality of life and nutrition, enhanced economic security and environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship and employment, and community commitment. In a new Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach project, the ISU Organic Ag program (OAP) will be working with urban farms in Iowa to create a Community of Practice network that will promulgate best management practices and sharing of results among farmers and agency staff supporting this clientele group. Because the majority of urban farms use organic practices, these farms will be surveyed for critical pest issues; suitability of organic treatments for specific pests; and economic viability of these strategies. In addition, farmers will be queried on the potential for organic certification, including group certification. A statewide Urban Ag group, created in 2023, identified the following needs, based on urban farmers’ interests: Land access and utilization; Education and program access; Production needs, including managing soil health and irrigation; Food safety and food insecurity; and Business development. A Directory of Expertise in Urban Ag was developed to highlight six specialists focused on urban ag in Iowa at Iowa State University; four at federal agencies (NRCS, RMA, FSA), three in state and municipal government (IDALS, City of Des Moines); two at government-associated programs (SWCD), and eight at non-profit, non-governmental institutions (NGOs). Working with county Extension staff, Master Gardeners, 4-H, NRCS, SWCD, and urban ag NGOs and farmers, this project seeks to advance Urban Ag through: 1) Demonstration sites showcasing innovative nutrient and pest management techniques, bee keeping, food safety practices, and marketing; 2) Field Days held at key urban farm partners with adjoining Farmers’ Market tours; and 3) A series of webinars, videos and pamphlets covering these topics, and translated for Spanish, Burmese and Congolese audiences–the most prominent groups of immigrant urban farmers in Iowa. Evaluation will assess knowledge and behavioral change related to addressing key food security concerns in urban spaces, community well-being, and sustainability indicators, including soil and water quality.
