I want to consider what it means to build in harmony with a high-desert environment. I want to apply this architectural inquiry to the creation of structures to improve the food-system of Northern Nevada.
I am beginning with the question of how a medium-sized commodity farm in the desert can be redesigned to insert itself into a local or regional food system to ensure its own continued operation and to improve its stewardship of the land and the wider environment. I propose that an answer to this question is:
1) access customers directly by building the local food system
The local food system in Northern Nevada is small but growing. Several summer farmer’s markets have “cropped” up in Reno and surrounding cities and towns. A few farms have ditched the commodity model, and are now growing many varieties of fruits and vegetables which they sell primarily locally rather than only one or two crops sold to large distributors. There is also one local food co-op in the Reno area. One of the lacking pieces of the puzzle is a permanent, local produce market.
The primary feature of this market is to be its ability to change with the seasons. That is, to attract the summer crowd’s who love outdoor markets, and to continue to supply local produce to those same crowds in during the fall, winter and spring in a more enclosed environment.
2) diversify and increase production using currently available resources (land, equipment, buildings, time, personell).
The cyclic nature of agriculture in Northern Nevada, and much of the U.S. leaves land fallow for much of the year and creates seasonal, rather than permanent jobs. Producing during the winter months would help lessen the need to go around the globe for fresh produce, and could create a more stable base of local employment, keeping more money in the local economy and promoting community. I would like to explore how this land be used for production during the winter months, despite average lows in the 20s, possibly using temporary structures. Cost, ease of construction, water use, and temperature control will be the main issues.
It is very interesting to see a regional food system supporting directly towards a specific environment. I wander the idea of summer farmer’s market is going to be limited by seasons? and is it possible for it to actual supporting the whole-year-round food requirement? To me, it looks like a seasonal event to support the local economy partially.
You might be interested to check out the book “Coming Home to Eat” by Gary Nabhan, which details his investigation into local and native foods around his desert home (not high desert, but it may still have interesting implications for your region). There are surprising revelations about native food and people populations as well as local produce.
Thanks for the comments. I may have been unclear with how I wrote about the produce market. I intend it to be year-round, but convert into different configurations appropriate to the season.