Farm Urbana is an enterprise specializing in Permaculture Regenerative design. We founded Farm Urbana as part of Meghiddo Architects, AIA, to provide our expertise in urban design with the intent and Vision to integrate regenerative design farming into the city lifestyle and bring nature closer to where people live and work. Our mission is to create a purpose-driven hybrid business: Farm to City c
ircular economic development that reduces waste and pollution, conserves energy and water, and creates a locally responsible, profitable, and sustainable urban business farm. We benefit the community and the environment and advance climate change mediation. Our design calibrates the balance between the regenerative nature of a productive organic farm and the allied business barn to create a well-rounded prototype of a circular economy. Ruth's passion for urban farming began decades earlier as a student at UCLA. There, she published a pioneering thesis in sustainability, "Agriculture in Urban Environments: City and Farm Romance." Her architecture and urban design background inspired her to create edible garden solutions. She founded Farm Urbana to help urban residents experience nutritious, chemical-free, fresh food. We created a prototype of an Urban Farm - Business Model to initiate adaptable alternatives to different urban circumstances. The Urban Farming by Design (UFBD) model incorporates eco-farming systems into urban settings. This innovative approach promotes the following:
permaculture design productivity,
circular economy principles,
community resilience, and
climate change adaptability on a citywide scale
By bringing nature closer to urban areas, UFBD aims to foster a culture that contributes to a healthier, happier, and more sustainable world. The project's focus on a circular economy involves situating the urban farm near workplaces, businesses, colleges, or housing complexes, creating a walkable and bike-friendly environment. This urban farm provides high-quality produce and reduces transportation, waste, packaging, and water consumption. Waste from the farm and the bistro's kitchen is repurposed as compost, and solar collectors generate energy for the entire site. Each UFBD prototype has two main components: the Farm and the Barn. The Barn is a regenerative architectural element featuring a timber, steel, and glass frame warehouse with a coffee shop, multi-purpose area, and bakery-bistro. The design prioritizes indoor-outdoor integration and incorporates solar panels on the roof for energy efficiency. UFBD envisions a space where the farm and city converge to promote reconnection with nature, offering opportunities for learning and community experiences such as workshops, events, celebrations, and seasonal fruit harvesting. The project embraces regenerative permaculture design ethics and principles, drawing inspiration from nature to develop eco-farming systems centered on plant biodiversity, guilds, soil fertility, and resource conservation.
