In the early 1990s, Gabe Brown purchased a small 1,760-acre ranch near Bismarck, North Dakota. Like most American farmers at the time, he followed conventional farming methods — tillage, monoculture crops, and chemical inputs.
Then came disaster: Four years of crop failures in a row due to hail and drought pushed Gabe to the brink of financial collapse. With massive debts and declining soil health, Gabe was forced to think differently.
Turning to Regenerative Agriculture
Instead of giving up, Gabe abandoned chemical fertilizers, tillage, and monoculture in favor of:
Cover crops
No-till farming
Diverse crop rotations
Mob grazing (rotational grazing of cattle)
Natural compost and biological inputs
His goal: Heal the soil and restore the land.
Results and Success
Over the next decade, Brown’s Ranch transformed into one of the most productive and profitable farms in the region:
Reduced input costs by 85%
Soil organic matter increased from 1.9% to over 6%
Water infiltration improved from 0.5 inches/hour to over 8 inches/hour
Profits soared — despite using fewer chemicals and less machinery
Today, Gabe Brown’s 5,000-acre farm includes livestock (cattle, sheep, and poultry), grains, cover crops, and vegetables — all managed organically and regeneratively.
Beyond Farming: Global Impact
Gabe is now a global regenerative agriculture educator.
His book, “Dirt to Soil”, is a bestseller among eco-conscious farmers.
He co-founded Soil Health Academy to train farmers worldwide.
His farm receives thousands of visitors annually, from India to Africa to Australia.
Income & Business Model
Gabe doesn’t just farm — he educates, consults, and sells products:
Farm income: ~$500,000+ annually from diversified produce and livestock
Consulting & book sales: Additional six-figure earnings
Online soil health courses: Major passive income stream
His success shows how regenerative farming can be highly profitable and sustainable long-term.
Gabe’s Message to Farmers:
The problem isn’t the land. It’s our management of it. Heal the soil, and everything else will follow — food, water, health, and income
Did you know that urban farming can not only help you grow food for your family, but also benefit your entire community and the environment? This is the story of Greg Peterson, who has worked in urban farming for over 40 years and is one of the field’s leading educators and inspirations.
The Beginnings of Urban Farming
In 1975, Greg and his family moved into the Weldon House, a small half-acre plot. Greg was just 14 years old at the time. His parents started teaching him gardening—“The right side of the garden is yours, go dig,” his mother said. That’s where Greg first learned to grow cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and began planting thousands of fruit trees.
Permaculture: A New Thought
After buying his first home in 1989, Greg began taking urban farming seriously. But the real change came in 1991 when he learned about permaculture. Permaculture is a way of farming in harmony with nature, where all elements support each other and nothing is wasted. Greg dedicated his 1/3 acre homestead to full food production, growing vegetables instead of flowers and fruit trees instead of non-food trees.
A Combination of Education and Experience
To further enhance his work experience, Greg received a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies in 2004 and a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning in 2006 from Arizona State University. In 2001, at the urging of a professor, he wrote a mission and vision for his life, and this is when the concept of Urban Farm was formed.
Contributing to the Community
Over the past 15 years, Greg has held several farming and gardening classes, opened the Urban Farm to the public, and run a successful fruit tree planting program that planted over 10,000 trees. In 2011, he began teaching Sustainable Food and Farms at Arizona State University.
Get Connected to Urban Farming
This story isn’t just Greg’s, it’s yours too. Through UrbanFarm.org, Greg shares knowledge, resources, and inspiration for urban farmers all over the world to help you start your own urban farm.
There are many problems with today’s agricultural system—we have too much food, but it’s poor in nutrition and harmful to the environment and human health. Urban farmers are a ray of hope in this situation. They’re doing good for their families and communities by growing local, fresh, and chemical-free food.
Get started!
So what are you waiting for? Name your urban farm, connect with your local farmers, and be a part of this green revolution. Urban farming will not only allow you to grow delicious and fresh food, but also build a new relationship with nature. What can we learn from Greg Peterson?
Growing your own food is possible through urban farming: Greg showed that even in the smallest of plots, you can grow fresh, healthy, and chemical-free food.
Living in harmony with nature is important: Through permaculture, he taught that farming is successful only when we help nature, not fight it.
Any place can be turned into fertile land: By replacing flower beds and non-edible trees, the entire land can be made edible.
The power of the local community: Greg planted more than 10,000 fruit trees in his area and built a strong farming community by connecting people together.
Urban farming protects both environment and health: By growing fresh and nutritious food, we can avoid chemical-laden market food and also protect the environment.
Continuous learning and experimentation: Greg adopted new methods through books and studies as well as self-experimentation that made him an even better farmer.
Everyone can become an urban farmer: Greg’s story inspires us that whether you have a small or big space, you too can bring prosperity in your life by farming.
Your step?
Now these lessons are for you—make your land or terrace, garden or balcony fertile, connect with local farmers, and contribute to the urban farming revolution.
Do you dream of growing your own fresh, organic vegetables but feel lost about where to start? You’re not alone. Urban life often leaves little space or knowledge for gardening. But Dr. Viswanath Kadur, the pioneer of terrace gardening in India, is here to change that. With decades of experience and thousands of happy gardeners inspired by him, Dr. Kadur reveals the secrets to creating a thriving terrace garden, right on your rooftop.
Who is Dr. Viswanath Kadur?
Dr. Kadur’s journey into terrace gardening is as inspiring as his garden is lush. An entomologist by profession, he also pursued film production in the USA and returned to India to make agricultural documentaries. But an unexpected flight delay over Bangalore sparked an idea that changed his life — and the lives of thousands of urban dwellers.
As he looked down at the city rooftops, Dr. Kadur realized how much potential these open spaces had. They could cool the city by covering hot roofs with greenery and bring back the kitchen gardening culture that was fading from urban homes. Inspired, he started growing vegetables on his own terrace, recreating the backyard gardens his family once had.
Since 1995, Dr. Kadur has been organizing workshops and community events, helping people everywhere to start their own terrace gardens. His team, including urban gardeners like Laxminarayan Srinivasaiah and Dr. Rajendra, has built one of the largest urban gardening communities — with over 23,000 members worldwide.
Secret #1: Getting the Right Space for Your Terrace Garden
Your terrace can be a fertile garden space if you plan it right. If your building follows good construction practices, it can support anything from pots filled with vegetables to even trees.
Use pots for beginners — easy and less risk of leakage
Create a soil bed or lawn by covering the terrace floor with soil, but waterproof the surface underneath to avoid leaks into your home
You can experiment — terraces can handle more than you think!
Secret #2: Use Nutrient-Rich Soil Mix
The soil you use makes a huge difference in your garden’s success.
Dr. Kadur recommends a balanced mix of:
Regular soil
Compost
Coir peat (or sand)
Vermicompost
Mix all these in equal parts for best results
After heavy rains, replenish nutrients by adding compost weekly, since water can wash away essential nutrients
Secret #3: If You’re a First-Time Gardener, Start Small
Starting your terrace garden can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Begin with just one small pot and grow a single vegetable
Easy veggies like tomatoes and chillies are perfect for beginners as they need minimal care
Be patient — plants may take a few months before giving you produce
Gradually expand your garden as your confidence grows
Secret #4: What Can You Grow in a Terrace Garden?
According to Dr. Kadur, the possibilities are almost endless:
Root vegetables: Potatoes, onions, radish, carrots, groundnuts (need more space)
Fruits: Guava, banana, coconut — these have been grown successfully on terraces
Trees: Even bigger trees can grow if the terrace is strong, but avoid mango trees for beginners as they require lots of care
Dr. Kadur even shared seeing a coconut tree on a terrace!
Secret #5: Regular Watering and Enough Sunlight are Essential
Water your garden twice a day in summer, less in winter depending on soil moisture
Avoid watering on rainy days or immediately after rain, as excess water drains nutrients from the soil
Ensure the garden gets at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
In extremely hot regions, use shading to prevent plants from scorching
Use rainwater harvesting to save water and make your own compost from kitchen waste for a sustainable garden
Bonus: Join ‘Oota From Your Thota’ — The Terrace Gardeners’ Mela
One common problem gardeners face is scattered sources of supplies — seeds here, pots there. Dr. Kadur’s team organizes a quarterly event called ‘Oota From Your Thota’ (OFYT) which gathers everything a terrace gardener needs under one roof.
Seeds, pots, soil, fertilizers, tools — all in one place
Workshops, demos, and discussions on organic farming, rainwater harvesting, vertical gardening, solar lighting, and more
Perfect for beginners and experts alike to learn and connect
Why Terrace Gardening Matters
Bangalore alone has over 5,000 terrace gardens, thanks to efforts by Dr. Kadur and his team. Terrace gardening helps:
Reduce the urban heat island effect
Provide fresh, organic vegetables within your home
Reconnect urban residents with nature and food sources
Create opportunities for income, especially when introduced in slums and schools
Dr. Kadur envisions a future where urban gardening supports the country’s food needs and reduces pressure on rural farmlands. He also encourages schools to adopt organic farming to teach children the value of growing their own food.
Final Words from Dr. Viswanath Kadur
“Put your soul into it, throw seeds and take care of them,” says Dr. Kadur. “Treat your plants like your babies, and they will reward you with amazing harvests.”
Ready to Start Your Own Terrace Garden?
Choose your space
Get the right soil mix
Start small and simple
Grow what you love and what’s easy
Water regularly and ensure good sunlight
Join a community for support and resources
Your urban terrace garden can transform your life — giving you fresh food, fresh air, and a fresh perspective. So why wait? Start sowing those seeds today!
