As we look across the cityscape of urban living, we notice something: industrialism.  Our city lives have been taken over by machines.  In Wichita, Kansas, carpools are as mythic as the centaur.  Outside the city limits land lays fallow waiting on developers with the highest bid to build more buildings, reminiscent of the ticky-tacky boxes on the hillside:

As we continue to crowd out anything natural in our lives in favor of the latest stainless steel appliances in our homes and stainless steel art that flutters in the wind, there is still hope.  Urban food markets are bringing in fresh produce.  Farmer's markets are springing up throughout the city, and people are taking a renewed interest in becoming self-sustaining.

The phenomenon of rooftop gardening allows civic-minded citizens to give back to their city and increases food sustainability for local persons, both those who have fallen on hard times and those with an interest in creating a lifestyle that fuels local economy.

Feminist principles of community service and civic-mindedness directly benefit from the ideals of rooftop gardening, mainly for it's environmental and social constructs that encourage people to provide not only for themselves, but also for others in coming together as a community.  The reduction in noise pollution and the well-being benefits found in rooftop gardening provide additional benefit.  Gardening brings like-minded people together and spreads knowledge.  All of these benefits fit into feminist principles.

This is a journey to re-connect to nature.  Urban agriculture explores the benefits of community involvement in life-sustaining food sources that anyone can participate in.  Join me in a search for our touch-stone with the environment.