Category — Roof Garden

Cadiz takes the concept of green spaces one step further by converting a 105-square meter rooftop of one of over two dozen pavilions in a park into a rice paddy

By Erwin Delilan
Rappler
Apr 21, 2024

Excerpt:

BACOLOD, Philippines – Cadiz City is leading the way in Negros Occidental, showing people how they can become farmers even in urban areas.

While green spaces and green architecture aren’t new, Cadiz has taken the concept one step further by converting a 105-square meter rooftop of one of the over two dozen pavilions in Negros Occidental’s 25-hectare Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, into a rice paddy.

The Cadiz City government showcased the rooftop paddy during the province’s seven-day 28th Panaad sa Negros Festival, which culminated on Sunday, April 21.

Cadiz’s agriculture and engineering offices, which introduced the urban rice farming concept, created a buzz among Panaad revelers and tourists alike.

Under mulberry trees at a bee farm in Taipei’s suburbs, students watched intently as instructor Tsai Ming-hsien wafted smoke over a hive box, explaining to aspiring apiarists how to keep the insects happy in an urban setting.

Taipei (AFP)
13/04/2024

Excerpt:

His audience included entrepreneurs, retirees and even a six-year-old who reached eagerly for a frame pulled from the box, as Tsai demonstrated how bees can be kept calm with a smoker.

“Many join my class out of curiosity,” said the 43-year-old instructor who also heads the Bee and Wasp Conservation Association of Taiwan.

“They want to learn more about this insect, which has important economic values and a crucial role in agriculture.”

“Things like cilantro, other kinds of herbs, bok choy, all of that grows really really well up here,” Ciro said.

By Lindsay Tuchman
ABC 7 NY
April 10, 2024

Excerpt:

Metro Baptist Church, located on West 40th Street and 9th Avenue, has a 4,000 square-foot rooftop garden that continues to grow fresh produce to be distributed to those in need through the Rauschenbush Metro Ministries Food Pantry.

The Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project is going on its 16th year of existence.

“This is one of the ways we can address food insecurity and get healthy food to people who may not be able to afford it from typical grocery stores,” said Metro Baptist Church Executive Director and Pastor Tiffany Triplett-Henkel.

Facility on Marché Central Walmart and Decathlon building is company’s first of its kind

Tyler Choi
Business editor
Sustainable Biz
Apr 2, 2024

Excerpt:

While the Marché Central mall greenhouse is not Lufa Farms’ biggest, it will be its most efficient, Giaccone said.

Lufa Farms started construction in 2023, finishing in mid-February 2024 after six to seven months of work by FDA Construction.

Plants are grown hydroponically with the assistance of approximately 20 staff members. Customers can purchase vegetables from Lufa Farms’ online marketplace, and have it delivered or picked up in over 350 partner locations in Quebec.

The Ultra-Clima air filter system and high-intensity LED lights will boost productivity by up to 40 per cent compared to other greenhouses of similar sizes, she added.

The 127,000-square-foot urban greenhouse in Marché Central is bursting with cucumbers and peppers, and is its most efficient yet.

By Bill Brownstein
Montreal Gazette
Mar 19, 2024

Excerpt:

So Mohamed Hage simply snaps a Lebanese cucumber from the vine and sinks his molars into the mini-cuke for a sampling.

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“It’s ready,” pronounces a beaming Hage, the founder and CEO of Lufa Farms. “It’s so sweet. I’m happy.”

I’ve never served in a Lebanese cucumber taste test before and, truth be told, have never been a big fan of this particular veg, but it’s hard to disagree with Hage after taking a bite of another cuke. I could almost have it for dessert.

“This work gives us great moral satisfaction, as we contribute to solving producers’ problems and supporting the most vulnerable. It’s more than just about money, it’s about service and positive impact on local communities.”

Written by Bryony Harris
Images: Mickael Franci
Cordaid
March 14, 2024

Excerpt:

In recent years, a combination of political upheaval, regional conflicts, mass displacement and climate change means that Malians are increasingly contending with food insecurity. In response to this, Cordaid’s Jege ni Jaba (JNJ) programme has a two-fold aim: improve food security throughout the state (without increasing pressure on the environment), and create economic opportunities within the value chains, particularly for women and youth.

Jege ni Jaba means ‘fish and onion’ in Bambara, an ethnolinguistic group from the upper Niger region of Mali. The West African country is home to more than 80 languages and 21.9 million people, the majority of whom are under the age of twenty-five.

A recent UN survey found 40% of Bahraini home gardeners use their rooftops! This weekend, ditch the houseplants and join the rooftop revolution.

By Ashen Tharaka
The Daily Tribune
February 09, 2024

Excerpt:

Retired physiotherapist Eman Shaker, once limited by space and sun, now flourishes on her rooftop farm.

“Moving everything was intimidating, but now it’s my haven!” she beams, nurturing new seeds even between seasons. Marketing whiz Ahmed AlHayki started with a single pepper seedling.

“YouTube became my teacher,” he smiles, his rooftop now boasting veggies and even fruit trees. Both transformed their once “dead space” into vibrant life.