Farmscape, California's largest urban farming operation, recently wrapped a first-of-its-kind project in Downtown Los Angeles, one that (literally) takes urban agriculture to new heights. Atop The Jonathan Club now sits a large rooftop garden installation designed to grow fresh, organic greens. more ›

"Illegal immigrants take American jobs." That's one of the statements heard throughout the immigration debate as of late, but one that's currently being challenged. Why? Because others are saying there are jobs available out there but employers are having a tough time filling them. more ›

The Irvine City Council has approved a lease with a local farmer that will see to it 114 acres of Great Park be developed as an urban community farm. This is the first time farming will be taking place on the land that is Great Park since wealthy rancher James Irvine sold the land he used to farm lima beans to the US Government for them to use as the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. more ›

Perhaps this is another reason to go organic at the farmers market. Methyl bromide, a popular fumigant used on Strawberry fields from Ventura and up the California coast, is being phased out because it "depletes the earth's protective ozone layer," according to the Associated Press. In its place, the state's Department of Pesticide Regulation is proposing to allow the use of methyl iodide instead, which some fear is worse. more ›

Today marks a big step for the homegrown revolution. The L.A. City Council unanimously approved a motion that instructs the city attorney to amend an old and ambiguous city ordinance to allow for the on-site use and off-site sale of flowers and fruit grown within city limits. Currently, the simple act of growing them in your backyard with the purpose of selling them is a citable offense. However, vegetables are okay. more ›

Naming the movement the "Food & Flowers Freedom Act," urban farming advocates went before the City Planning Commission this morning at a hearing in Van Nuys to put forth a proposed ordinance amending outdated and unclear language on record in Los Angeles since 1946. Following the hearing, the CPC voted unanimously in approval of the proposed amendments. more ›

It's rare urban farm land against young womens apparel at the old site of the South Central Farm where two years ago farmers were kicked out by owner (now in the Central Valley) real estate developer Ralph Horowitz. After a media blitz of dramatic protests, he kicked the farmers off the land in preparation to develop something, which is now a Forever 21 manufacturing plant that locals and farmers are protesting, says the LA Times. They want an environmental impact report (EIR), which would add another year to the permit process. In a neighborhood full of warehouses, the activists say they don't need anymore, but proponents say the jobs added to the economy are. A hearing is set for later this month. more ›

Famine. Riots. Strikes. Inflation. The repercussions of the world food crisis continue to affect the global mood and economy, and unfortunately the situation does not appear to be getting any better. American farmers, most of whom rely on the core crops of wheat, corn, and soy to bring in a living, are fearful of another poor harvest this year. From the NY Times:

United States soybean plantings are running 16 percent behind last year. Rice is tardy in Arkansas, which produces nearly half the country’s crop. “We’re certainly not going to have as good a crop as we had hoped,” said Harvey Howington of the Arkansas Rice Growers Association. “I don’t think this is good news for anybody.” more ›