More than 36 tonnes of organic vegetables are grown above the streets of New York each year on rooftop farms spanning 5.6 hectares of space. Their soil absorbs millions of litres of rainfall that would otherwise flush straight into the city’s drains, exacerbating the city’s sewer overflow issues. Brooklyn Grange operates the farms and employs 20 full-time as well as 60 seasonal staff. The company believes that commercial urban agriculture can help cities to become cleaner and greener. Green roofs also help to reduce the heat in cities by absorbing it. The farms also host beehives, and the company is now designing mini-farms for private clients across the city.

To read this week's full edition of Field Notes, please click here.
To read the full original article, please click here.