Free Webinar to Feature Urban Farmers Discussing Strategies for Managing Risk

Urban farmers face many risks in producing safe and affordable food. Some of the risks are common to all types of farming; however, many are unique to the urban setting, including zoning regulations, access to water, and managing contaminated soils. While many cities in the U.S. are working to address some of the needs of urban farmers, profitability remains a challenge.

A free January 15 webinar, “Managing Risks on an Urban Farm,” will focus on the risk management strategies of two urban farms and how they have overcome several of the barriers facing urban farmers today. The webinar is being presented by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and NCAT's ATTRA program and is funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), 2012-68006-30177.

Title: Managing Risks on an Urban Farm

Cost: Free

Date: January 15, 2015

Time: 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

To Register: Go online at https://attra.ncat.org/managing_risks/

Presenters:

Andy Pressman; Moderator
NCAT
Andy Pressman is a Sustainable Agriculture Specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and NCAT's ATTRA Program. He has a background in small-scale intensive farming systems and works in the fields of organic crop production, local food systems, and urban farming. Andy and his family also operate Foggy Hill Farm, a small diversified family farm and CSA located in southern New Hampshire.

Greg Maslowe; Farm Manager
Newton Community Farm
Greg Maslowe is the Farm Manager of Newton Community Farm (NCF). NCF is located in Newton, MA, a city of 80,000 just on the outskirts of Boston. The farm occupies 2.25 acres and uses intensive methods to grow vegetables and a small amount of fruit on one acre. NCF supports an 80-share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a weekly farmers' market, a 5-day per week on-site farm stand, and donations to local food pantries and shelters. For more information, visit Newton Community Farm's website.

Eric McClam; Farm Manager
City Roots Urban Farm
Eric McClam is the Farm Manager of City Roots Urban Farm, located in downtown Columbia, SC. City Roots is a 2.75 acre USDA Certified Organic farm that produces microgreens year round and operates an aquaponic system and a large scale compost operation and grows over 125 varieties of fruits and vegetables. City Roots sells directly to restaurants, through a CSA program, farmers markets, and hosts on-farm events. City Roots earned the International Downtown Association’s Pinnacle Award in 2010 for their revitalization of a brown field site. For more information, visit City Roots' website.

Since 1976, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources. In partnership with businesses, organizations, individuals and agricultural producers, NCAT is working to advance solutions that will ensure the next generation inherits a world that has clean air and water, energy production that is efficient and renewable, and healthy foods grown with sustainable practices. More information about its programs and services is available at www.ncat.org or by calling 1-800-ASK-NCAT.