Cincinnati's Urban Agriculture Job Market A Current Analysis and Plan for Growth

Abstract

Record ID: 72

Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: Urban farming is becoming more popular in American cities due to its environmental, social, and economic benefits. Following this trend, the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES) has set a goal in the Green Cincinnati Plan to increase the quantity of jobs in the city's food and agriculture sector by 20% by 2028. The following project provides an analysis of Cincinnati's current agriculture job market and recommended steps for OES to take to reach the above goal. I look at Cincinnati Public School's current educational opportunities focused on agriculture, higher educational programs focused on agriculture, and current farm training programs in the Cincinnati area and give feedback about how they can grow. I identify local for-profit and not-for-profit farms already employing Cincinnatians and look at how the city can increase their market. I also collect resources and provide tips for Cincinnatians wanting to start farming in the city. Finally, by looking at other cities with successful urban agriculture programs, I give OES recommended next steps for increasing the quantity of jobs in Cincinnati's food and agriculture sector. This project synthesizes vital information on Cincinnati's farming and agriculture job sectors while providing feedback for improving job quantity, which will help grow urban agriculture in Cincinnati and provide its residents with its many benefits.