A growing idea: Urban garden goes high-tech in Edmonton

Growing up in Edmonton, VictorBenitezhad little experiencewith farming.

But the city kid stillloved to growfood. And he loved theidea of helping people. That led the recent physics graduate to develop an urban farming system he thinks can change how peopleaccess fresh, local produce.

The initial results are good: this summer,Benitezgrew400 pounds of vegetables beside anorth-sidecommunity rink. The bounty was donated to local residents and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.

There are no fancy planters or huge fieldsinBenitez'scommunitygarden. He started off with 80 black bags, maybe 60 centimetres high, filled with dirt and seed.

But each bag isattached to an automated irrigation system, outfitted with sensors and controlled via WiFi.The set-up allows monitors to tracksoil moisture, humidity, temperature, light and movement. The watering system adjusts accordingly

"It's hands-free gardening," said Benitez. "It turns a garden into an automated operation, so that everything waters itselfand you have backup processes in place, so plants don't over-water themselves. It's just to make it as hands-off as possible."

The 26-year-old social entrepreneurinsists the technology is not new or novel. But the way he is applying itis.

"Let's take urban farming seriously, let's apply the same industrial mentality for urban farming as for conventional farming," he said.

The seed of an idea

Benitez started developingthe system while working on his undergraduate degree. With someinitial funding from the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers and the Eastwood Community League, he was able to establish a garden next to the community rink.

Next year, he hopes to put the garden inside the rink.

"There is a problem with empty rink spaces. But with this, there are literally bags on the ground and running hoses out to them," said Eastwood Community League presidentTishProuse.

"It doesn't require any different usage.You are not conflicting with any space. You are not having large amounts ofpeople running around gardening with special tools."

The bags can go anywhere.In a backyard, in a brownfield, in an unused parking lot. The system relies on water from a regular garden hose.

Benitez thinks a large-scale garden could help supply food banks with fresh, local produce.

Heis nowcrowd fundingto increase the number of bags in the urban garden. He wants toraise $10,000 to have3,000gardening bagsand the ability to grow 15,000 pounds of produce. The money would also help him to further develop his prototype.

"Iwant to sell these kits to individuals and use that for community gardens all over Edmonton. And North America one day hopefully."

Children from Eastwood have stopped by to check out Benitez'sunique garden. He said seeing how potatoes or carrots grow surprised many of them.

"To see a potatocome out of literally dirt, they were honestly amazed."

But for Benitez, the urban garden ideagoes beyond carrots, beets, potatoes, kale, and greens.

"(Gardens) make your community more livable. When you see plants growing, when you see actual food coming out of where you live, it just makes you feel like this is a healthy place," he said.

"Even though this isn't a magic bullet, it helps alleviate a lot of problems. It's making living more affordable. You can save a lot of CO2."