Design and Implementation of a Plant Propagation Structure at Vine & Fig
Channel: JMU ISAT
Date: 2018-09-21

Full Title: Design and Implementation of a Plant Propagation Structure at Vine & Fig
Presenters: Derek Gordon, Elena Konstant, Owen Palmer
Advised by: Jennifer Coffman, Wayne Teel
Sponsors: Tom Benevuto, Cornelius Frantz -- Vine & Fig
Abstract: Our team has been working with Vine & Fig in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia, to help them improve several aspects of their overall productivity. We designed and began implementing an innovative greenhouse growing space for plant propagation, with the intent of increasing edible landscaping throughout the neighborhood. We are also developing means by which to analyze agricultural yields to establish a baseline of the propagation productivity, drafting a plan to increase production on the current site, and designing methods for monitoring and evaluating food yields based on variety, weight, and calories. Despite ample food production globally, the problems of food scarcity and undernourishment persist today. Reliance on industrial agriculture, coupled with inequality within the distribution systems, contribute to these issues. Local, sustainable food production systems could significantly alleviate these stressors. This project focuses on enhancing urban food production through the case study of Vine & Fig, a program of the nonprofit organization New Community Project (NCP). Vine & Fig promotes backyard garden spaces for locally produced organic foods and educates residents in permaculture design. Permaculture can be described as the art and science of creating healthy and resilient human environments abundant in food, water, shelter, energy, and community. On a lot size of less than half an acre, Vine & Fig has grown a variety of crops and produced a documented yield of over 1,800 pounds of food in 2015. Our goal is to increase production while also providing ongoing means for monitoring and evaluation.