Friends of the Wissahickon recently hosted a lecture on the expanding rooftop agriculture industry at the Valley Green Inn.
The speaker, Philadelphia landscape architect Lauren Mandel, went through a detailed presentation and open discussion about rooftop agriculture to a group of about 30 attendees.
During the lecture, Mandel’s book, “Eat Up,” was circulating around with tips and stories of getting started and staying successful as a rooftop gardener.
Part of the presentation included pictures and detailed explanations of various types of rooftop agriculture: residential, business and agriculture industry.
“I found it fascinating,” said urban gardener Darlene Sauter.” I didn’t know residences and businesses were so involved in rooftop gardening.”
Sauter now plans on moving her ground-level garden up to her roof and telling her daughter in New York City the benefits.
Mandel suggests urbanites invest in a rooftop garden for stormwater management, the use of underutilized space, the fresh and healthy food and for the local economy.
Philadelphia is slowly beginning to learn about these benefits.
“There are plenty of individual homeowners who are up on their roofs growing fruits and vegetables,” said Mandel. “In terms of large scale rooftop farm projects, we’re a little bit slower.”
With large projects now coming to the area, rooftop agriculture will be taking root soon. For more information, check out Mandel’s blog at eatupag.com.
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