There is increasing public interest in growing food locally either in market gardens or at home to minimise the environmental impact of primary production.
Proposed benefits are less food-miles, fresher produce, higher nutritional valus, greater accountability and assurance of provenance.
The 'Organic' gardening movement also is interested in eliminating chemical pesticide, pesticide and fertiliser use which can have residual affects on soil health and fertility and may leach into water supplies.
The mdoern consumer is now faced with a plethora of current options of growing food at home including things such as Permaculture, Biodynamics, Organic farming, Hydroponics, 'Organic' Hydroponics, Aquaponics or 'Organic' aquaponics. Each has its own supporters and resource base. They range from being well researched and other haven't. Others are based on deep spiritual concepts and others on various ecological theories. Some have been founded by scientists are others by philosophers. They range from cottage industries to full-scale commercial operations.
Which ones are the most sustainable options? Which systems are most likely to dominate in feeding our expanding population? Which ones are most accessible to the third world? Which ones are most suitable for the city apartment dweller? And what about the quality of the produce? Are some systems considered more 'natural' than others or is this an artificial distinction?