CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Whether it’s a community garden or fully-dedicated land near a dense, city center, urban farming has surged in popularity in recent years.
These farms impact local communities by providing education about climate change, food security, biodiversity, pollinators and nutrition.
Urban agriculture contributes between 15% and 20% of the global food supply, according to the USDA. This can help cities be more equitable because it creates easier access to fresh produce.
Julian Jacobs is the owner of Adrina Farms, which is located in Uptown Charlotte at the Innovation Barn. His farm is a hyperlocal, hydroponic farm where they grow lettuce, leafy green and root vegetables inside a 320-square-foot indoor space.
Despite its size, this tiny space can grow four acres worth of produce utilizing a much smaller carbon footprint.
"We're able to grow right next to the city, which means that not only is that footprint smaller, but we're able to get that produce to restaurants and stores," Jacobs told WCNC Meteorologist Brittany Van Voorhees. "Whoever is looking for produce at a farmer's market gets it a lot easier, a lot quicker. We're not having to drive cross country. We're not using emissions."
Adrina Farms also recycles their water. This allows them to use 95% less water than a traditional farm.
Another sustainability impact of this urban farm is the lack of food waste. This is a huge deal for Jacobs.
"We literally harvest it one day and deliver it to restaurants the next day," he said. "They consume it and we do it again the next week. They only order what they consume."
Other Urban farms like Adrina also don’t have to worry about weather-related impacts like torrential rain, flooding, excessive heat and bitter cold. This allows them to grow and harvest produce when a traditional farm cannot.
Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.