Amid the growing demand for sustainability and technological innovation, novel approaches to urban agriculture are gaining significant attention: at our new Midori Farm project, we are committed to developing an approach to urban farming that respects both historical practices and modern advancements. Our experimental urban farm in Paris combines time-tested methods with practical technological solutions, creating a space where food production, research, and collaboration come together. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, we aim to demonstrate how traditional farming methods can be adapted to modern urban environments. On Friday September 20, 2024, the rooftop was officially inaugurated by our researchers and a delegation from the 15th arrondissement city council, headed by Philippe Goujon and Audrey Pulvar.

Reviving the “French Method”

The base of our work at Midori Farm lies in the “French Method” of urban gardening, a system used by Parisian market gardeners in the 19th century. This technique, described by Moreau & Daverne in 1845 and later refined by Carnavalet, focuses on dense planting arrangements and short cycles between sowing and harvest. Our 80 m² farm applies this historical method to grow vegetables in a small space while maximizing yield.

However, we are not simply recreating the past but we are adapting it to our specific needs. Alongside these traditional practices, we are exploring new ways to improve the efficiency and accessibility of urban farming by incorporating technology. By balancing old and new, we want to show that historical methods can be successfully integrated into today’s urban agricultural landscape.

Efficiency with technology

We are also focused on reducing the physical demands of farming and improving productivity. To do this, we are developing tools that assist with labor-intensive tasks for example:

• We use camera systems to track the organization of our crops, which helps optimize the dense planting arrangements and short growth cycles central to the French Method. Allowing us to streamline the daily tasks of sowing, transplanting, and harvesting, through robotic system assistants.

• We study the use of robotic tools to assist with physically challenging tasks.

A model for peri-urban microfarms

Our work at Midori Farm has a broader vision: to serve as a model for future microfarms in peri-urban areas. These smaller farms, located around the edges of cities, have the potential to meet growing demand for locally sourced, organic produce. By combining traditional farming techniques with practical technological solutions, we hope to demonstrate that diversified, small-scale agriculture can thrive in urban environments.The Midori Farm serves also as a space for collaboration and learning.

A rooftop in the heart of Paris for training and collaboration

Beyond research, the Midori Farm is dedicated to training and education. Located on the rooftop of a building on rue Antoine Bourdelle, our farm is a place where farmers, scientists, engineers, and artists can come together to share ideas and knowledge. This exchange of skills is central to our mission, as we believe that collaboration is key to advancing sustainable urban agriculture. Our farm will offer opportunities for individuals to learn both the French Method and the modern technologies we are developing. We want to demonstrate that urban farming can offer meaningful career paths and that it is possible to integrate sustainable practices with innovative tools.

This effort is supported by our partnerships with the association Toits Vivants: we bring a range of expertise to this space, ensuring that our project remains grounded in both practical farming knowledge and research.

Our Midori Farm represents an approach to urban farming that values both tradition and modern efficiency. By combining the French Method with new tools, our goal is to establish a model for sustainable urban agriculture that is efficient and approachable. 

We remain focused on our goal: demonstrating how small-scale, diversified farming can play a meaningful role in the future of urban & cities living.