New Documentary “Growing Cities” Plants a Platform for Urban Architecture

The next harvest in the future of agriculture won’t be found in sweeping fields of the Great Plains, but in intimate rooftop gardens of America’s cities. How we produce, distribute, and consume food has become an issue of social sustainability just as much as it is an ecological one, and Dan Susman and Andrew Monbouquette hope to spread its importance through their acclaimed documentary, Growing Cities. Untapped Cities is pleased to showcase the teaser for this feature, which has already screened in over 25 festivals worldwide:

Growing Cities Trailer from Growing Cities Movie on Vimeo.

The two filmmakers trekked across America and discovered some of the wildest attempts at urban agriculture, from educators in the classroom to people attempting to make ends meet in vacant lots. Susman himself once worked on a farm in Portland, Oregon, and has since taken his passion for urban agriculture into the filmmaking industry. The film has helped raise awareness for the Good Food movement, a core of beliefs promoted by FamilyFarmed.org with a commitment to “expanding the production, marketing and distribution of locally grown and responsibly produced food, in order to enhance the social, economic, and environmental health of our communities,” according to their website. Locally, the filmmakers have been in touch with a range of organizations, from America’s largest urban rooftop farm, the Brooklyn Grange, to the lesser-known Battery Urban Farm, a one-acre educational production space located in the Financial District.

Growing Cities hopes to increase global awareness for this “cement roots” movement through its Kickstarter fundraiser, live now until 11:00 AM on July 9th. With a goal of $30,000, the filmmakers and screenings coordinator Mandy Mowers aim to raise the funds necessary to secure a spot on PBS to broadcast the film nationally this fall. In the meantime, be sure to check out some of the local movements happening near you.