“Can the city feed itself? Maybe, but do you want the city to feed itself? I don't think so. Having the consumer protection of upstate land is one of the most important things the city can do for the state.” - Annie Novak.

The rooftop garden is the poster child for urban farming.  It’s clean, beautiful and with a view. So I was geeking out after reading this interview with 27-year-old Annie Novak, who is on a mission to inspire New York to grow, cook, and eat amazing food.

Photo of Novak, courtesy of greenpointnews. 

What about Spokane? Brother Merriweather recently posted on this topic at The Spovangelist with its own localized zeal:

“What about the rooftop farm possibilities right here in Spokane? Our built environment boasts a variety of roofs and walls that could support urban farm operations. There are a few rooftop container gardens and the Main Market Co-op greenhouse, but there are yet to be any food growing endeavors that produce on a large enough scale to regularly supply residents and restaurants. Imagine an urban farm on top of the Jensen-Byrd building, the Wonder bread building on Lincoln and Broadway, or even on top of the Spokane Transit Authority storage and maintenance center!”

I say yes. To all of the above.

Continue to follow Grist’s New Agtivist interviews, as they talk to people who are working to change this country's food system in inspiring ways.

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