FURI | Fall 2020

Assessing Urban Agricultural Practices in the Desert Cities

Sustainability icon, disabled. A green leaf.

Is there a mismatch between urban farmers’ perceptions of their farm’s environmental sustainability and its actual environmental impact? Focusing on the use of water and nutrients on each farm as described by the farmers through interviews, it is evident that there is some level of disconnect between ideals and practices. This project may aid in bridging the gap between the two in regard to the farmers’ sustainability goals. This project will move forward by continuing interviews with farmers as well as collecting soil and water from the farms in order to more accurately quantify the sustainability of the farms’ practices.

Student researcher

Emma E. Bonham

Environmental engineering

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Graduation date: Spring 2022