Urban Agroecology Lab
Dr. John R. Taylor's Urban Agroecology Lab at the University of Rhode Island is an interdisciplinary research group that investigates the social and ecological complexities of urban food production. Dr. Taylor's diverse background in natural and social sciences, along with design, allows his team to take a comprehensive approach to studying urban food systems at various scales, from backyard gardens to commercial farms. The lab's mission is to identify strategies to enhance local food sovereignty and empower communities to take control of their food systems.Additionally, the lab asseses Rhode Island's food production capacity by analyzing factors such as land availability, soil health, and climate. This research aims to provide insights into the state's potential for local food production and identify opportunities to strengthen local food systems.Through their interdisciplinary research at the intersection of social, ecological, and design dimensions, Dr. John R. Taylor and his Urban Agroecology Lab are making significant contributions to the field of sustainable urban food systems. Their work not only expands the existing knowledge base but also directly engages with communities to build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food future for Rhode Island and beyond.
Members
John R. Taylor -
Dr. John R. Taylor is Professor of Agroecology at the University of Rhode Island, where he melds his extensive background in philosophy, horticulture, and landscape architecture with a profound commitment to enhancing urban food systems. Dr. Taylor's research ambitiously navigates the intersection of natural and social sciences to revitalize local food sovereignties through innovative urban agricultural practices, including food forests and polyculture systems.A descendant of Pennsylvania farmers and an avid gardener from a young age, Dr. Taylor ventured into academia earning his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago followed by a B.S. in Horticulture at Michigan State University, a Master's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His work frequently explores the unique contributions of immigrant growers to urban food networks and seeks to transform our understanding and implementation of sustainable food production across urban landscapes.For more information, visit Dr. Taylor's full profile on the University of Rhode Island's website.
Carolyn Hirshon
Rowan C. Valle - A veteran of the United States Army where he served as an infantryman for 6 years, he now majors in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems and his a AFS Fellow and a SSIREP Fellow at the Urban Agroecology Lab at the University of Rhode Island. His interests include agroecology, philosophy, computer science with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, large language models and training generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) for the scientific study and management of agroecosystems. He also owns a 40 acre plot of land in a dry lakebed in North Central Nevada named Azura, which he is trying to slowly transition into an oasis that can support herds of antelope and bison. See his full profile here.
Projects
Currently our lab is working on the project Hidden Harvest, seeking to gain an understanding of the provisioning methods used by immigrant communities and communities of color. This entails first seeking out gardens using GIS data, reaching out to the owners and conducting interviews, catalogue gardens and take soil and other environmental samples.
Publicashions
Designing multifunctional urban agroforestry with people in mind
Urban Home Food Gardens in the Global North: Research Traditions and Future Directions
How Is the Availability of Staple Food Items in Small Retailers in Providence, RI?
Further publications can be found here
Urban Agroecology Laboratory
Woodward Hall, Rm 234, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Webmaster + Design: [email protected]