EAT UPa li’l market research
At first glance, rooftop agriculture seems like a hyper-specific topic – a niche within a niche. When you dig down into the subject matter, however, the topic’s vastness unfolds. Some of the major talking points that fall within the rooftop agriculture discussion include:
– Food justice + equity
– Public health + organics
– Local food
– Policy
– How to build rooftop farms + gardens
– Economic viability
In order to act as the definitive resource on rooftop agriculture, my manuscript, Eat Up, currently discusses all of these talking points. I wonder, however, if these points are too broad to capture a literary audience. Does the manuscript currently contain a “liberal arts education,” when it should in fact have a more specialized degree? Should the first book on a subject matter broadly discuss the new topic? A little market research may help to shed some light on these questions.
This is where you, the reader, comes in. The question that I pose to you, is what are you interested in reading? I plan on conducting a few manuscript readings / market research groups around the Philadelphia area in order to collect more in-depth data, but for now, I want to hear what you have to say. So don’t be shy, post a comment about what interests you.
I am interested in all topics. However, I am most interested in the nuts and bolts of how to build and maintain rooftop farming. Thanks for asking!
I am particularly interested in the food justice/access/equity piece of urban rooftop agriculture. How can a greener city, particularly one with green roofs, be a part of making sure that all people have access to affordable, fresh, healthy food?
I am particularly interested in the affordability of a roof top food garden and how those from low income area could make use of a healthy, accessible food source. With 16 million children in the U.S. with food insecurity, accessible and affordable roof top food would be such a wonderful resource.
All the topics are interesting (especially since Ann took my first suggestion) but I would also want to know want plants both ornamental and nutritional are native to this area (Philadelphia, PA), including trees and bushes. Thank you,
I agree with Erika and
I am actually interested in all phases of this topic. I think the practical would speak to most people, but there certainly needs to be discussion of the benefits of rooftop agriculture which go way beyond monetary. Thanks for asking!
Thank you for all of your comments! Hopefully some of you will be able to attend the upcoming manuscript reading / market research group cocktail events (not yet scheduled). Stay tuned.