Sustainable Urban Rooftop Agriculture Shannon …Sustainable Urban Rooftop Agriculture Shannon...

Sustainable Urban Rooftop AgricultureShannon Bergstrom, Alanna Bergstrom, Steven O’Connor, Kathleen O’Neill, Lauren Tepfer, Kelly Zdanowicz

Dr. Tracy Allen, Faculty sponsor, Environmental Science Dept.

Introduction

Purpose: Research the best sustainable cropping and alternative growing methods to utilize on an urban rooftop farm to maximize growth space and increase pollinator/aviary diversity. The rooftop will supply harvested produce to local food pantries as well as serve as a model for future urban rooftop farms.

• Living Restoration Companyo Research & development

• Rooftop farms & alternative growing methods

• “The Living Roof”o Rooftop garden

• 13,000 sq. ft.• Located above Staten

Island Ferry terminal

• Intern Researcho Growing methodso Crops to be grown o Plants to ↑ biodiversityo Compost methods o Hydroponic systems

Image from Google Maps of the 13,000 sq. ft. living roof on top of the Staten Island Ferry terminal

Research Methodology

To determine the best agricultural practices and growing methods to implement on the “Living Roof,” we spoke with urban farmers throughout the city and volunteered at several compost sites. We also developed and experimented with hydroponic systems and several growing mediums.

• Visit urban farms and compost sites to learn about & determine:

o Various cropping techniqueso Sustainable growing practiceso Harvesting times & toolso Composting methods

• Hydroponic research & developmento Growing mediums

• Perlite• Clay pellets• Pebbles

Results

Although the interns did not see these plans unfold, reconstructing of the roof will begin this spring and the research will serve as a guide.

• Urban farm practices & designo Keyhole designo Raised garden beds

• Easy access & ↑ aesthetic value

o Vertical gardeningo Companion planting

• Garlic mustard • Garlic crop

o Drip irrigation system• Rainwater collected in

cistern

• Plants & cropso Native plants to attract pollinators

• Azaleas, Calico Aster, Goldenrod, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint

o Tomatoes, peppers, garlic, swiss chard, basil

o Grapevines • Along perimeter of rooftop

fence

• Hydroponicso Tomatoes & swiss chardo Perlite growing medium

• Best medium for growing outdoors

o Solar cells to power system

• Compost Methodo Tumbler

• Efficient & small

Discussion

The research performed can serve as a model for urban rooftop projects.

A follow up study should be performed once these practices are incorporated into the rooftop design to:• Assess the efficiency of the growing methods &

practices• Perform research with “compost tea” & it’s

influence on growth rate of plants

Urban farms & compost sites visited:

• Joe Holzka Community Garden (Staten Island)

• North Brooklyn Farm (Brooklyn)• Snug Harbor Heritage Farm (Staten Island)• Randall’s Island Urban Farm (Manhattan)• Gowanus Canal Conservancy Compost Site

(Brooklyn)• Build it Green NYC Compost Site (Queens)

Compost tumbler created by interns for the living roof

Model for solar cell we expect to power hydroponic tubes on the living roof

Grapevines growing on fence at Randall’s Island Urban Farm

Keyhole design incorporate into the living roof plan

Drip irrigation system Vertical growing design

Hydroponic tubes made from erosion control material filled with perlite growing medium to grow tomatoes