What is the experience like for individuals residing in a community solely composed of gas stations and corner stores? How does the constant presence of these establishments, which primarily offer packaged and unhealthy food options, affect the health of the residents? Food deserts are typically defined as urban areas where it is challenging to access affordable and high-quality fresh food. According to the USDA, a food desert is an area where 100 households are located more than half a mile away from a supermarket. In 2010, approximately 19 million people lived in areas with limited supermarket access. While these statistics provide insight into the impact of food deserts, they fail to convey the personal experiences of those affected. In the wake of the pandemic, Washington DC ranks second in the country for food insecurity, with over 75% of food deserts located in Wards 7 and 8. This thesis explores the pressing need for healthier food options in urban environments and proposes the development of a farm-to-table community in Marshall Heights, a vibrant neighborhood in Washington DC's Ward 7. By incorporating livestock and public garden spaces, this community aims to provide its residents with access to fresh, nutritious food while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. The design choices implemented in this community will enable individuals to witness the growth of their food and participate in its preparation, thereby promoting healthier lifestyles and sustainable practices within an urban setting. Through a multidisciplinary approach that considers the historical, cultural, and environmental aspects of Marshall Heights, this thesis offers a blueprint for an alternative way of life that prioritizes health and well-being. / Master of Architecture / This thesis explores the pressing need for healthier food options in urban environments and proposes the development of a farm-to-table community in Marshall Heights, a vibrant neighborhood in Washington DC's Ward 7. By incorporating livestock and public garden spaces, this community aims to provide its residents with access to fresh, nutritious food while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. The design choices implemented in this community will enable individuals to witness the growth of their food and participate in its preparation, thereby promoting healthier lifestyles and sustainable practices within an urban setting. Through a multidisciplinary approach that considers the historical, cultural, and environmental aspects of Marshall Heights, this thesis offers a blueprint for an alternative way of life that prioritizes health and well-being.

Crossbred beef heifers [Year 1, n = 12 initial body weight (BW) = 400.5 kg] and beef steers (Year 2, n = 24, initial body weight (BW) = 401.9 kg] were used to compare the effect of non-traditional, low-input finishing diets (CORN and SBH) to a traditional finishing diet (DIET) in a small-scale finishing system on animal performance, carcass characteristics, and economic impact. In Year 1, cattle were finished for 132d (n = 6) or 174d (n = 6) and in Year 2, cattle were finished for 154d (n = 8), 162d (n = 8), and 196d (n = 7) then harvested. No differences were noted on animal BW or G:F; however, dry matter intake (DMI) (P = < 0.0001) and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.0053) was greater for DIET compared to CORN and SBH. No differences were noted in total cost of gain, however there were differences on cost per animal (Year 1, P = < 0.0001; Year 2, P = 0.0003). Results indicate CORN and SBH diets could be a viable option to finish beef just as efficiently as a total mixed ration (DIET).

The thesis project is a study for the integration of farming, urban use, and ecology at the edge of the city. The aims of the test-of-principle are to connect the urban consumer with the rural food producer, processing and productive landscape, and to examine mechanisms for local self-sufficiency and the preservation of farmland from suburban encroachment. The proposed model for this study is a sheep farm within the outskirts of Truro, Nova Scotia. At the landscape scale, the thesis takes the position that urban areas and farmland mutually benefit from co-localization. At the site and building scales, the thesis adopts the ‘farm-to-table’ model, seeking to vertically-integrate the full cycle of food-related programming. The public experience within this food hub is choreographed through visibility, porosity and overlapping circuits with farmer, sheep and product. By balancing the public, process and pragmatism, the thesis demonstrates a role for architecture within the agrarian domain.

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