Growing Communities, Growing Food: Hydroponic Gardening for Urban Audiences

Florida ranks second in the United States for vegetable production, and the second largest industry in Florida is agriculture. Florida's climate is ideal for production of specialty crops, and is desirable for urban development. Labor and land are costly inputs for agricultural production. Despite abundant rain, water resources are managed for growing human populations. Hydroponic food production can produce the same yield as traditional agriculture using up to 95% less water, 80% less land, and lower labor costs due to automation. Equipping urban audiences with knowledge and tools to successfully grow food hydroponically provides new options for feeding the growing population in nontraditional growing environments. Hydroponics workshops have been taught in Sanford, Florida, and workshop participants completing postevent evaluations (n = 133) report a 100% knowledge gain about hydroponic production and 95% intend to grow their own food hydroponically using hydroponic kits built in class. Ninety-five percent of participants demonstrate skills and confidence in their ability to measure and adjust pH, make a nutrient solution, build a hydroponic bucket, and grow their own hydroponic food. Participants completing three-month follow up surveys (n = 31) report the following: 94% grew at least one cycle of a hydroponic crop, 29% grew additional cycles of the crop, and 32% made additional hydroponic systems. Additionally, 45% of participants are interested in using advanced hydroponic systems, and 10% of participants have commercial hydroponic interests. Hydroponic gardening proves to be an excellent production method, especially for urban audiences.