INTEGRATING URBAN AGRICULTURE AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION

Our overall goal is toadvance the state-of-the-art forbuilding-integrated agriculture through academic training, applied research, Extension programs, and industry engagement. Subgoals includeidentifyingcritical challenges, barriers, benefits, and opportunities; promotinguptake of BIA through a unique collaboration between architects, horticultural experts, and Extension professionals; andtraining new generations of agriculturally aware architects/planners and architecturally aware urban agriculturists. We envision BIA food production as an integral part of architectural design and building construction, rather than a post-construction add-on, which could and should be informed by horticultural research and Extension experience. To achieve the overall project goals, we have set the following primary objectives, which are conceptualized as an integrated and iterative series of activities that are sustainable beyond the grant period:Objective 1. Assess the current state of BIA knowledge, supports, and challenges across multipledisciplinary domains.Objective 2. Organize and host a Visioning Summit to co-create research, education and Extension(REE) priorities.Objective 3. Develop and deliver training programs aimed at architecture/horticulture students,practicing architects, and Extension professionals.Objective 4. Establish research & demonstration projects based on REE priorities.Objective 5. Host Concluding Summit to share outcomes and transition to a WesternEducation/Extension Research Activity (WERA)