URBAVORE is more than a farm with a fantastic name; it’s a legitimate circular economy that closes the loop on food waste and highlights the importance of Farm-to-Table and Table-to-Farm. Sitting on 13.5 acres in Kansas City’s downtown core, the biodiverse haven is run by farmers Brooke Salvaggio and Daniel Heryer, who have dedicated themselves to working with Mother Nature to produce nutrient-dense, organic food for the community. They grow berries, asparagus, gourmet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, hard-neck garlic, many specialty roots, and so much more! Most impressive of all is that, by following essential cornerstones of regenerative growing, URBAVORE has doubled its yields without using any chemicals!
Soil is the building block of all life on the farm, so Brooke and Daniel practice deep mulching and disturb the soil as minimally as possible. Alongside the fruits and veggies, they plant a wide variety of native plants, wildflowers, and herbs to attract beneficial insects and pollinators, which help keep URBAVORE completely pesticide-free. Compost is the apple of the farm’s eye, and this is where the magic truly happens in the fields. Working with Compost Collective KC, URBAVORE collects 47,000 pounds of food waste every week and transforms it into black gold on the farm. The compost is applied directly to the crop fields and is the only source of fertility. The fruits and veggies are harvested and sent back to residents in weekly baskets; the same truck collects their buckets of food scraps for composting. It’s full circle and almost something you have to see to believe. Brooke and Daniel say the impact on the plants and people reaches far beyond their expectations, addressing local food insecurity, food waste, climate resilience, community health, and global warming!
URBAVORE is the ‘mothership’ and the pilot site for Compost Collective KC’s greater vision of urban sustainability, which includes compost hubs on local farms and community gardens across the region. Similar to what URBAVORE is currently doing with the city’s food scraps, these hubs would handle and process the scraps in an eco-friendly manner and apply the finished compost to their beds to build soil, conserve water, and boost crop yields. The goal is to keep decaying food scraps out of landfills while strengthening local food systems with organic produce, closing the loop on food waste.
Set your garden up for next year’s success with practical autumn tips on seed saving, soil care, and preserving harvests for a rewarding spring start.
In Toronto, Ontario, Ben Naster and Tyler Fick get the picture and are actively working to change the way cities feed themselves by localizing food production in less traditional ways.
Sitting on 13.5 acres in Kansas City’s downtown core, the biodiverse haven is run by farmers Brooke Salvaggio and Daniel Heryer, who have dedicated themselves to working with Mother Nature to produce nutrient-dense, organic food…
Boost pepper seed germination speed and success using a countertop hydroponic system. Enjoy stronger seedlings for your garden, even if you’re starting late.
