UpFarming is a non-governmental organization that promotes urban agriculture through innovative projects like hydroponic and aeroponic systems. With a focus on collaboration and technology, the organization primarily implements vertical urban vegetable gardens to grow fresh, healthy food in limited spaces. Additionally, it develops various initiatives to promote sustainability and food security in cities, such as workshops and educational activities.

One of UpFarming's vertical gardens is located in the Torres Novas Prison Facility, cultivated by around 40 prisoners and prison guards. The goal is to improve the prisoners' diet and support local families through food distribution. Prisoners receive professional certification in horticulture, aiding their social reintegration after serving their sentences.

In Alvalade, Lisbon, UpFarming is active at the Horticultural Park Aquilino Ribeiro Machado, named after a former president of Lisbon City Council. Here, the organization encourages people of all ages to engage in the complete process of growing food, which benefits individual psychological well-being and social cohesion.

UpFarming also implemented and co-manages a project called “From School to Table” at Basic School Dom Luís da Cunha. This holistic production system includes a horizontal vegetable garden, a vertical vegetable garden, an agroforestry ring, and a composting station. The food produced at the school is consumed by the neighborhood residents, and the cultivation process serves as a cross-curricular educational tool, contributing to the well-being of the school community and fostering a generation more aware of environmental and food issues.

https://upfarming.org/pt-pt/

https://agrotonomy.com/pt-pt/agricultura-vertical-em-portugal-com-torres-aeroponicas/

https://welectric.pt/2023/06/02/horta-vertical-nasce-em-prisao-com-objetivos-de-reinsercao-social-e-combate-a-pobreza/

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: The urban vegetable gardens implemented by UpFarming provide to local communities access to cheaper and more nutritious food, due to the reduction of time between harvesting and consumption.

SDG 4 – Quality education: The vegetable gardens co-managed by UpFarming are also a pedagogical tool of education about biodiversity, food and sustainable consumption, in schools and in non-formal learning.

SDG 3 -  Good health and well-being: 
 The food produced in UpFarming vegetable gardens is free from pesticides, making it healthier and more nutritious.
 

1. What benefits does urban agriculture provide?
2. What are the goals of the UpFarming initiative at Torres Novas Prison?
3. What elements make up the holistic production system at Basic School Dom Luís da Cunha?

EDU.IN – Associação para a Educação Integral