EVALUATING CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES IN URBAN SETTINGS FOR SMALL-SCALE GROWERS

There are 3 mains goals of this project that together provide critical information and resources to allow small-scale growers to begin and operate controlled environment agriculture systems in urban areas of Southern California.1. Create a map of vacant lots in urban areas that growers could utilize, and determine relevant local regulations that govern the use of these lots.2. Determine the economic feasibility of different production systems and crops. This includes costs of establishment, costs to maintain, and projected income from harvests.3. Create a comprehensive "How-To" guides of best management practices growers. This includes water and nutrient management, pest management, and crop selection. Affordability and compatibility with small scale systems will guide the practices studied and researched here.Taken together, our project aims to provide small-scale growers with the ability to find places to grow in urban areas, information on what systems and crops can allow them to be profitable, and a guide on how to effectively grow and manage said crops and systems.