Empowering the Community with Education to Restore Balance to Life with Regenerative Urban Farming and the Ma’at Urban Farm Network™

At Ma’at Urban Agriculture & Industries LLC™, our mission is deeply rooted in fostering regenerative urban farming practices to address food insecurity and economic disparities in the ADOS community. This year, we introduced SunfRoots™, our carefully branded cultivar of Jerusalem artichokes, as the epitome of regenerative agriculture. SunfRoots™ represent resilience, sustainability, and abundance. As a perennial crop, they regenerate annually without replanting and can remain in the ground for extended harvest, making them the ultimate survival food. Through our innovative cultivation techniques, such as Hugelkultur High Rise Gardens™ (HHRGs) and GroTubes, we’ve created accessible, high-yield farming systems suitable for urban environments. Our goal is to demonstrate that crops like SunfRoots™ can transform urban food systems, foster community self-sufficiency, and introduce new economic opportunities through food and biofuel industries.

1. Jerusalem Artichokes (SunfRoots™):

   

   - Yield: Across the three main MUFN™ sites, a total of 147.2 lbs of tubers was harvested from an initial planting of less than 3 lbs. There are other crops grown at these sites not included in this report. This report will only reference the sections pertinent to this study concerning the SunfRoots™.

   - Growth Observations: Plants grew vigorously, reaching 10 ft by September. High-density planting techniques and minimal inputs yielded substantial returns, with 3-10 lbs per plant despite no external water inputs.

   - Market Viability: With market prices averaging $20-$30 per pound, SunfRoots™ demonstrate significant financial potential. The perennial nature of the crop allows for long-term returns with minimal labor after the initial planting.

   - Comparison with Conventional Systems: Unlike annual crops such as corn and soybeans that require intensive tilling, irrigation, and chemical inputs, SunfRoots™ were cultivated with no external fertilizers or water and thrived under minimal maintenance. This proves their suitability for decentralized farming models and resource-constrained urban environments.

2. Sweet Potatoes:

   - Varieties Tested: This was our first year growing potatoes and our red potatoes and standard sweet potatoes performed well, but the Beni Imo variety faced challenges due to unsuitable soil conditions. Adjustments, including soil amendments, are planned for the next growing season to address these issues.

• Year 2: Beni Imo–Style Sweet Potatoes

We planted slips in late May once soil temperatures reached 65°F. In fabric pots, we planted:

● 1–2 slips in 10-gallon pots

● 3–4 slips in 20-gallon pots

The loose soil allowed tubers to expand freely. The vines spilled over the sides of HHRGs, maximizing space efficiency. At harvest (September–October), we again flipped the bags. Instead of digging and damaging tubers, we separated them cleanly. The ease of harvest reduced waste and made yield assessment simple.

In RUF, that matters. Efficiency determines scalability.

3. Amaranth:

   - Results: Successfully produced greens and seeds, showcasing the crop's versatility and resilience. Amaranth requires minimal care and provides both nutritional and economic benefits, making it ideal for urban farms. It has value as a protein source and staple crop.Jerusalem Artichokes (SunfRoots™) We planted Jerusalem artichokes in late April to early May once soil temperatures stabilized. In fabric pots (15–25 gallon minimum), we planted tubers 4–6 inches deep.

They thrived in:

● Full sun

● Compost-rich loose soil

● Consistent but not excessive watering

By fall, after the first frost, we harvested. The flip-and-dump method revealed dense clusters of tubers. The contained environment concentrated production and prevented the spreading behavior that sometimes makes sunchokes difficult in-ground. In the RUF model, this showed something important: Jerusalem artichokes can be controlled, scaled, and harvested cleanly in urban systems. That makes them viable not just for backyard growers but for coordinated production through MUFN™.

Amaranth (Callaloo & Grain) Amaranth performed exceptionally well in GroTubes. We direct-sowed in late May. Once established, it grew aggressively in the summer heat. The vertical support of the GroTubes kept plants stable, and the loose soil encouraged strong taproot development. We intentionally harvested callaloo throughout the season. We removed outer leaves consistently, never more than one-third of the plant at a time. This allowed for continuous regrowth. All season, we harvested greens. This demonstrated something critical in RUF: High-density container systems can produce continuous leafy nutrition without requiring large land footprints. Amaranth proved resilient, adaptable, and teachable.

 Integration of RUF Techniques

1. Hugelkultur High Rise Gardens™ (HHRGs):

   - Enabled low-labor, high-yield production for crops like Jerusalem artichokes and amaranth.

   - Enhanced soil health through natural composting, eliminating the need for tilling or chemical fertilizers. Soil mix allowed for easy harvesting and easier cleaning of tubers.

   - Proved effective for urban applications, where access to arable land is limited.

2. Container Gardening (Fabric Pots and GroTubes):

   - The project prove that the pots allow staple crops to grow successfully on hardscapes like pavement and porches ideal in the RUF application.

   - Harvesting is easiest with cloth pots and ideal for scaling production.

   - Demonstrated flexibility for urban farmers with limited land, aligning with the decentralized food production model.

 Community and Financial Impact

1. Cultural and Nutritional Significance:

   - Jerusalem artichokes align with the needs of the ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) community, addressing health issues such as diabetes, lupus, anemia, and gut health.

   - Reintroducing this native crop fosters a cultural connection while providing a sustainable, high-value food source.

2. Economic Potential:

   - The possibility of producing 2,000-4,000 lbs per 1/4 acre demonstrates the crop's scalability and economic viability.

   - With current market rates, even a small urban farm could generate substantial revenue, providing an incentive for community participation in decentralized farming networks.

   - No waste due to tuber's ability to stay in the soil and harvested when needed. These can be harvestedf even through the winter if the ground isn't frozen.

3. Decentralized Model for Food Security:

   - By establishing the Ma’at Urban Farm Network (MUFN™) as both a research and production platform, we are building a applicable framework for decentralized food systems. This model can serve as an economic and food security solution for urban communities.

Jerusalem artichokes stand out as a cornerstone of our RUF™ model, proving to be low-maintenance, high-yield, and culturally significant. The implementation of HHRGs™ and container systems has validated their potential for urban applications, even in challenging environments with limited resources. The ability to achieve exponential yields with minimal labor underscores the scalability and sustainability of this crop.Our research and development of SunfRoots™ have shown remarkable potential in aligning with the principles of regenerative urban farming. Through decentralized growing models, including four established Ma’at Urban Farm Network (MUFN™) sites, we’ve proven the viability of cultivating this crop in diverse settings with minimal inputs. From food security to economic empowerment, SunfRoots™ embody our commitment to sustainability and community resilience. This year’s trials yielded over 147 pounds of tubers from less than 3 pounds of planting material, underscoring the crop’s prolific nature. By integrating education, innovation, and strategic partnerships, we are paving the way for a sustainable future where the ADOS community leads the charge in regenerative agriculture and economic independence.

While setbacks such as loss of planting data and soil challenges with Beni Imo sweet potatoes provided learning opportunities, the overall results demonstrate the feasibility and impact of our decentralized farming approach.

The integration of education, outreach, and production through workshops and online courses has amplified the community's engagement with regenerative practices. We are motivated to inspire the next generation to become Regenerative Urban Farmers and regenerative living. The responses we received from the other farmers and community members are promising for the seasons to come next. This project exemplifies how food production can intersect with cultural restoration, health, and sustainability, fostering justice, balance, and harmony in line with the principles of Ma’at.

Results and Discussion

Production Results

Jerusalem Artichokes (SunfRoots™ – Red Fuseau variety)
Across multiple Ma’at Urban Farm Network™ (MUFN™) sites in Indianapolis, Jerusalem artichokes demonstrated exceptional performance in regenerative urban systems.

• Planting input: Less than 3 pounds of tubers across MUFN™ sites in Indianapolis

• Harvested yield: 147.2 pounds of tubers by October 

• Yield ratio: Approximately 49:1 from planting material

• Plant height: Reached up to 10 feet by late summer

• Inputs: No synthetic fertilizers, no chemical inputs, and minimal to no supplemental irrigation

• Pests/Disease: No observable pest or disease pressure

These yields were achieved using Hugelkultur High Rise Gardens™ (HHRGs™), in-ground beds, fabric pots, and GroTubes™, demonstrating adaptability across soil types and growing environments.

Comparison to Conventional Systems:
Unlike conventional row-crop systems (e.g., corn or soy), which require tillage, annual replanting, fertilizer inputs, and irrigation, Jerusalem artichokes in this project:

• Required no tillage

• Were perennial (no replanting required)

• Thrived in poor or compacted urban soils

• Produced high yields with significantly lower labor and inputs

This confirms Jerusalem artichokes as a highly suitable crop for decentralized, low-input urban production systems.

Additional Crop Outcomes

Amaranth

• Successfully produced both greens and seed

• Performed well in GroTubes™ and container systems

• Demonstrated drought tolerance and adaptability to urban conditions

Sweet Potatoes

• Standard varieties performed well in fabric containers

• Beni Imo sweet potatoes underperformed in HHRGs due to soil structure, highlighting the importance of crop–system compatibility

Year 2 Research Outcome: Mushroom Integration Failure (Formal Learning Result)

A planned Year 2 trial attempted to integrate wine cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) directly into outdoor RUF™ systems, including:

• HHRGs™

• GroTubes™

• 20-gallon containers

• Fifty outdoor 5-gallon oyster mushroom buckets

Measured Outcomes:

• No successful mushroom fruiting occurred

• Mycelial growth remained patchy and incomplete

• Substrate cycled between excessively dry and waterlogged conditions

• Contamination (bacterial odor, mold) developed following heavy rain events

Key Finding:
Open-air mushroom integration in raised and container systems failed under Midwest weather volatility, particularly due to:

• Rapid drying of raised substrates

• Wet–dry cycling

• Sudden heavy rainfall causing anaerobic conditions

Research Conclusion:
This outcome demonstrated that mushrooms punish environmental inconsistency and cannot be treated as a passive companion crop without dedicated microclimate control. While vegetables tolerated these fluctuations, fungi did not.

This negative result provided valuable research insight and directly informed redesign recommendations for future systems, including shaded beds, controlled irrigation, and protected fruiting environments.

Regional Establishment Trial: Fort Wayne, Indiana

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the project established a ¼-acre Jerusalem artichoke planting using approximately:

• 200 lbs Red Fuseau

• 200 lbs Mammoth

The soil was heavy clay and compacted. First-year growth was limited, and yields were minimal. However, this planting was intentionally designed as a long-term regional establishment trial, not a yield trial.

Rationale and Outcome:

• Jerusalem artichokes are perennial and will regenerate annually

• Tubers are expected to outcompete weeds in subsequent seasons

• The planting serves as a long-term seed stock and demonstration site for future production

This site represents an investment in future productivity, not a first-year performance benchmark.

Educational and Systems Outcomes

Despite variability in crop performance across systems:

• Vegetable production remained strong, masking fungal failures unless substrates were closely inspected

• Raised systems consistently demonstrated reduced labor, improved access, and strong student engagement

• Data collected informed curriculum revisions and system redesigns

Summary of Findings

• Jerusalem artichokes proved to be a high-yield, low-input, regenerative staple crop well-suited to urban systems

• HHRGs™, containers, and GroTubes™ effectively supported food production on hardscapes and degraded soils

• Outdoor mushroom integration failed, providing critical research insight into moisture and microclimate limitations

• Decentralized systems outperform conventional methods in accessibility, resilience, and labor efficiency for urban growers

These results validate regenerative urban farming as a viable alternative to conventional centralized systems while emphasizing the necessity of system-specific design rather than universal application.