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.
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