Fruits and vegetables are cultivated in an urban garden situated close to Union Station in the heart of Washington, D.C.

======================================================

In a remarkable shift, cities once known for concrete jungles are now becoming hubs for urban agriculture. This transformation is evident in Detroit, a city that has embraced a green movement, turning abandoned houses into productive agricultural grounds.

Despite challenging conditions such as temperatures reaching 140F and six inches of snow, a rooftop garden in Detroit stands tall above the city streets. This is just one example of the innovative urban farming practices taking root in cities worldwide.

The surge in urban agriculture can be attributed to the growing demand for locally sourced fresh produce. This demand is driven by the popularity of farm-to-table dining and home cooking. Chef Art Smith, for instance, introduced a rooftop vegetable garden at the Gary Corner Youth Center in Chicago, where students grow microgreens for high-end restaurants.

On the other hand, modern urban sprawl is limiting the supply of farmland around cities. This has led to the emergence of innovative farming methods, such as vertical farming, which involves planting crops into walls and using A-frame conveyors. Companies like BrightFarms, based in Washington, D.C., are leading this change by building produce greenhouses on underdeveloped land. Their efforts have created "green collar" jobs for the community and have secured relationships with large chains like Superfresh, Pathmark, and Giant.

BrightFarms' initiatives have not only made local food mainstream but have also commanded a high price, especially in high-end restaurants. In Singapore, Sky Greens pioneered three-stories-high A-frame conveyor systems for urban farming back in 2012.

Ecologist Dickson Despommier, author of "The Vertical Farm," envisions a future where high-rise buildings are converted into greenhouses for urban farming. This vision could potentially feed a planet approaching 9 billion people, while requiring less time, transportation resources, and money.

Urban gardeners are also turning tiny spaces into lush gardens, efficiently rotating crops. This practice is becoming increasingly common worldwide, with urban farms growing in any available concrete spaces.

In Detroit, the non-profit organization Greening of Detroit plays a crucial role in this movement. They provide technical assistance to urban farmers, education, and access to locally grown food in the city. Their efforts are part of a larger global trend towards sustainable urban agriculture, a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives.

This article is part of a special eight-month Future of Food series on our website. As cities continue to evolve, the role of urban agriculture in shaping our food systems is an essential conversation to have.