Urban Food Futures: A Seminar Series on Agriculture in Cities

Urban Food Futures

A NUREC Seminar Series on Agriculture in Cities

March–May 2026

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Overview

Urban Food Futures is a national four‑part seminar series exploring the complexity, innovation, and impact of urban agriculture in U.S. cities. The series convenes researchers, Extension professionals, practitioners, and community partners to examine how urban agriculture operates as an ecological, social, and food‑system strategy.

Each 90‑minute session offers moderated discussions, case studies, and applied research that illuminate how urban agriculture contributes to resilience, community well‑being, and sustainable food futures.

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Series Goals

• Showcase the diversity and function of urban agriculture systems
• Explore ecological interactions, biodiversity, soils, and climate pressures
• Elevate the social, cultural, and community roles of urban agriculture
• Examine policy, governance, and food sovereignty considerations
• Identify research needs and Extension priorities
• Support co‑creation of national resources and publications

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Seminar Sessions

Session 1: What Is Urban Agriculture?
March 3rd, 10-11:30am PST / 1-2:30pm EST

A grounding exploration of urban agriculture typologies, production systems, challenges, and opportunities.

Recap of Session 1

Session 2: Urban Agriculture, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
March 24th, 10-11:30am PST / 1-2:30pm EST

How ecological processes—soil, water, climate, biodiversity—shape urban agroecosystems and farmers’ decision‑making.

Recap of Session 2

Session 3: Urban Agriculture as a Social Function
April 14th, 10-11:30am PST / 1-2:30pm EST

Urban agriculture as a space for community care, social connection, food security, and local sovereignty.

Recap of Session 3

Session 4: Urban Agriculture Extension & Research
May 5th, 10am-11:30am PST / 1-2:30pm EST

Current models and future directions for urban agriculture Extension, applied research, and practitioner needs.

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Publication Opportunity

Speakers and participants will be invited to contribute to a culminating NUREC publication:

This synthesis will highlight key themes, emerging questions, promising practices, and cross‑sector insights surfaced throughout the series.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the series, participants will be able to:

• Identify core characteristics and functions of urban agriculture systems
• Describe ecological interactions that influence urban agroecosystem performance
• Understand social, cultural, and policy drivers of urban food systems
• Recognize emerging research needs and Extension opportunities
• Contribute to national dialogue and collaborative knowledge building