What I Learned About Agroecology & Sustainable Urban Farming

Week 1 UF/IFAS Course Recap

I’ve officially kicked off the 6-week Sustainable Urban Food Production short course through the UF/IFAS Extension Program and let me tell you - this journey already feels like a full-circle moment for everything I’ve been working toward through The Eco Connection.

This course couldn’t have come at a better time. As I lay the groundwork for a solarpunk-inspired venture and dive deeper into community-centered agriculture, I want to use this blog series to document the lessons, resources, and inspiring ideas that are shaping my vision. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own urban garden, tackling food insecurity in your neighborhood, or just want to be part of an intentional, more grounded future- I hope these takeaways serve as a helpful, optimistic look into what our future can look like.

Let’s dig into what Week 1 taught me about agroecology, resilient food systems, and how all of this aligns beautifully with solarpunk values.

What is Agroecology and what does it mean?

Agroecology is a mindset shift. Dr. Zack Brym, Associate Professor at the UF Tropical Research and Education Center, opened our session by reminding us that farming is not just about growing food. It’s about considering entire ecosystems supporting nature.

“More plants. More soil. More nature.”

– Dr. Zack Brym

Agroecology is about farming with nature, not against it. Instead of isolating crops in sterile rows, we’re encouraged to see the farm as a dynamic agroecosystem where plants, animals, microbes, water, people, and place are all interconnected. This mirrors what I often say through The Eco Connection: the goal isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional and considering and prioritizing living in harmony with the cycles of nature.

What stood out to me was the emphasis on diversity and long-term resilience. Two pillars that solarpunk design also celebrates. It’s about finding the sweet spot where productivity and regeneration can coexist.

Designing a Food System for Urban Spaces

One of my biggest takeaways this week was the “agroecology triangle” which includes planning your farm based on three key elements: Land, Infrastructure, and Resources. Whether you’re working with a backyard, balcony, or vacant lot, this framework helps you evaluate what’s actually possible (and what’s worth prioritizing).

We were introduced to a treasure trove of plant selection tools that I’ll definitely be referencing again, including:

• UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants

• Florida Native Plant Society

• Florida Plant Atlas

• Florida Invasive Species Council

I also got super excited about integrating underutilized native crops like elderberry, frogfruit, firebush, seagrape, and even milkweed. These plants that support pollinators, require less water, and reconnect us to Florida’s native ecology. Designing an urban microfarm isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about reclaiming our relationship with the land and honoring local and native biodiversity.

Food Deserts & The Power of Community Gardens

The next session, led by Lorna Bravo from UF/IFAS Broward County Extension, focused on the Community Garden HUB project, and it gave me so much insight into how community-led growing spaces can transform neighborhoods, especially those labeled as “food deserts.”

Lorna and her team mapped 13 gardens across South Florida and partnered with local volunteers, students, and even tribal leaders to share resources and knowledge. One tool she mentioned that stood out to me is the USDA Food Access Research Atlas: a powerful way to visualize where fresh food access is lacking.

I’ve you’ve been following along for a while you may have seen my container gardening videos on YouTube and know that’s how I got started with gardening in my small space. What was cool about this lesson most was the emphasis on container growing systems like EarthBoxes, vertical towers, and grow bags - something I’ve already started experimenting with on my own apartment garden.

It proves you don’t need acres of land to make a difference. You just need passion, creativity, and a system that fits your environment.

This is where The Eco Connection’s values shine: community-led solutions, education over extraction, and growing with intention.

Solarpunk Synergy: This is What the Future of Farming Looks Like

Everything I’m learning so far confirms what I’ve felt in my gut for a while now: the future of food is local, regenerative, and rooted in community. And it looks a lot like solarpunk.

Agroecology and solarpunk go hand in hand:

• Both emphasize resilient design

• Both celebrate decentralized systems

• Both blur the line between beauty and function

When I imagine my future solarpunk venture, I don’t see just rows of crops. I see solar panels on every roof, sustainable and organic permaculture principles, rainwater catchment flowing into herb spirals, and events in the herb garden. I see edible art installations, compost-powered greenhouses, and community-supported ecosystems.

What’s to come for week 2

In the upcoming week we dive into Business Planning, Marketing, and Financial Resources. I can already tell it’s going to be incredibly useful as we build our official plan for our solarpunk vision.

I’ll be sharing key takeaways, thought starters, and tips, so if you’d like to support this solarpunk venture, sign up to stay updated!

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