In just the past year, we have blogged
about urban farming five times. Obviously, farming has
seen a relentless upsurge as both a profession and a
pastime.
Cassandra Daily, a trend research firm, has recently
discovered how technology is addressing these small scale farmers and helping them do their jobs better.
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Sustaination: There are numerous environmental, cultural,
and economic
benefits to buying local, but the hassle involved can preclude
wholesale food buyers from abandoning the mega-farm system. Enter Sustaination,
a UK-based social network that connects growers with nearby businesses, in
turn encouraging and streamlining local trade.
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Farmhopping: Take the crowdfunding
capabilities of Kickstarter, add the collaborative spirit of
co-ops, and apply the share-model premise popularized by local
CSAs, and you’ll end up with Farmhopping,
a forthcoming network that lets members buy into Bulgarian farmers’
livestock in exchange for a say in how the animals are handled.
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Bucky Box: Software platform Bucky Box
is a New Zealand-based “digital operations team” designed to help small
farmers simplify the logistical challenge of delivering their produce. Its
founders (one of whom was inspired by his work for micro-farm trading
network Ooooby)
aim to make local, sustainably produced foods more accessible to the
public.
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