On 09/25/2010, horticulturalists Jennifer Nelkin described her work developing rooftop hydroponic greenhouse business called Gotham Greens in NYC. Farm City Forum concluded Farm City, a three-week series of events exploring the possibilities for urban agriculture in the current reality of NYC as part of Crossing the Line: FIAF Fall Festival from 9/12 to 9/25/2010. Farm City Forum took the format of an “unconference,” a lively participant-driven series of discussions exploring how to shape the future of urban agriculture. Three Sessions, each with its own distinct approach, brought together artists, farmers, urban planners, architects, food activists, and authors. The Primary Goal of the Forum was to engage participants in a visioning process about transformative possibilities of urban agriculture as a means to generate new thinking and experimental action positively impacting a more sustainable future. The Forum's Secondary Goal was to explore how artistic interventions transform and illuminate urban agricultural endeavors and vice versa.

1. GOTHAM GREENS Technology Selection & Business Development Farm City September 25, 2010 Jenn Nelkin, Greenhouse Director Gotham Greens

2. Nutrition & Health Food Access Food Safety Community Focus on Technology Selection & Business Development Urban, Local Food Movement Overlapping interests Transportation Energy Water Pesticides Qualifying Terms is Critical e.g. ‘Food Miles’ Is commercial urban farming viable?

3. What does a plant need to grow? SHOOTS - light - carbon dioxide - temperature - relative humidity ROOTS - water - temperature - nutrients - dissolved oxygen - pH

4. Many methods and reasons to farm consider output per input and source of inputs drip irrigation high tunnel greenhouse hydroponic greenhouse Increasing level of technology

6. CEA can grow food in arid climates High light, low humidity, lack of water and arable land

7. On islands with limited fresh water, arable land Poor quality of perishable produce delivered by boat

8. In Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Winter Produce Psychological Benefits Biosystem Services

9. On the Moon Biosystem services, reduce transport, fresh produce, psychological benefits

10. On a Barge

11. On a Roof in NYC… Gotham Greens

12. [WHY?] Narrowing the focus to specific project goals is critical and can be the most difficult part in this exciting field. Business Development Starting an Urban Farming Company Team Building [WHO] Site Selection [WHERE] Design & Engineering [WHAT] Financing [HOW] Construction [WHEN] Operation [HOW]

13. Management Team

17. Grow Highest Quality Product: Flavor, Freshness, Nutrition, Food Safety Environmentally Responsible Production Practices, City/Farm Synergies Determine Economic & Environmental Performance of the Facility Project Goals

18. CROP SELECTION GH Design Production System Structure System Layout Controls Heating Irrigation Cooling CO 2 Glazing/ Supplemental Lighting Nutrient Delivery System Type of production system