Amsterdam Showcases Sustainable Urban Agriculture

It's no secret that the U.S. is terribly behind much of Europe in the quest to build more sustainable communities, and this is perhaps especially true when it comes to the realm of urban agriculture. One of the forerunners in urban agriculture is Amsterdam and the Netherlands. In such a small country, space is at a premium, and the Dutch have all but mastered the art of finding creative and productive spaces for high-yield farming in cramped quarters. We would be wise to take a few lessons from the experts, as they are proving that despite space issues and a cool climate, lots of sustainable food can be grown locally, all while bettering the local environment and social fabric.

The Dutch seem to turn every empty space into an opportunity for agriculture. Beside airport runways, next to industrial parks and ship yards, or in the park, space is dedicated to farming. But the patchwork of reclaimed land for agriculture in the Netherlands is more organized than one might think. Highly structured community gardens called "tuins" are well-established in public parks, featuring mini houses for gardeners to use as tool sheds or kitchens. Tuins aren't the typical unkempt community garden one might expect to see in the cityscape, but instead are very well managed and add to the aesthetic of the park, hemmed in by low hedges and showcasing the extraordinary gardening talents of its members. While pockets of urban space are designated for agriculture, one key for urban food production in the Netherlands lies just outside the city. The suburban sprawl that we are so accustomed to doesn't exist; rather agricultural land surrounds the city, easily accessible by bike and a stone's throw from local markets.

Amsterdam has also brought domesticated farm animals into the city rather seamlessly as well, and use much of their urban agriculture space as an educational areas for city dwellers and school children to encounter agriculture close to home. Even in the city, so-called children's farms are often complete with large greenhouses, fields of produce, chickens, and cow or two. In conjunction, the local government and other organizations have launched multiple projects, including CSA programs, educational summits, and others, to help citizens understand more clearly the direct connection between food growing in the gardens and food on their plates.

While we often imagine or suppose the number of social benefits urban agriculture brings with it, Amsterdam proves this, not only with school and child-based programs, but with programs more focused on other segments of society. The idea of "farming for health" has blossomed in some really exciting ways in the Netherlands, drawing in the elderly, and those with disabilities. Green Care Farms, which are found all over Europe, integrate differently-abled individuals or those recovering from addiction, etc., to work together growing food for elderly or children. There are also successful programs to connect older people to farming activity,  helping to renew a sense of purpose and community belonging.

As the U.S. moves forward in urban agriculture, and in crafting a more sustainable food system, we should look to examples like that of the Netherlands and Amsterdam. At this point, we have a lot more hurdles and barriers to figure out. Sprawl is out of control, the majority of ideal agricultural land is being eaten up by developments, or infected by all manner of toxins. But there is still hope. With a good dose of creativity and ingenuity we can find a way to build more sustainable urban food systems, and while not all of the food consumed in American cities can possibly be grown within city limits, urban agriculture can go a long way in educating the public and creating sustainable community.

photo credit: a digital botanic garden