Take Root was the outcome of a design research project focused on developing a seedling growing system for small-scale urban farmers in Soweto. It was the final project in a BTech Industrial Design by Jomari Budricks in 2014. I was Jomari’s main supervisor, with Dr. Naudé Malan from the Department of Development Studies as a co-supervisor. The project formed part of an interdisciplinary student service-learning course offered in 2014 in the Departments of Development Studies and Industrial Design. The course utilised a methodology that integrated participatory social science and human-centered design research methods in order to develop technologies to improve the productivity of marginalized and resource-poor urban farmers. Teams of students worked with farmers on three urban sites, each with their own specific technological needs.

This project focused on the design of seedling growing system for small-scale urban farming. The design and research was based on the problem that farmers struggle with growing seedlings as a result of lack of resources and technology that is specific to their needs. Using participatory design methods a product was designed that is both fully functioning and is suited to the participants. The design process explored how to incorporate all design considerations such as modularity, portability, protection against pests and extreme weather and easy watering into one complete, well-functioning system. Participatory Action Research was the main methodology with design and research consistently undertaken with the active involvement of participants throughout the process. This resulted in the designer designing with the participants rather than designing for them. This study formed part of the broader iZindaba Zokudla project which aimed at uncovering issues surrounding small-scale urban farming in Soweto through discussions and conversations with actively involved participants.

Outcomes:

• Campbell, A.D. & Malan, N. 2018. iZindaba Zokudla (Conversations About Food): Innovation in the Soweto Food System. In, Abendroth, L.M. & Bell, B. (Eds.) Public Interest Design Education Guidebook: Curricula, Strategies, and SEED Academic Case Studies. London: Routledge. pp. 158-164. ISBN: 9781138646650
• Malan, N., Campbell, A.D., Sibeko, J., van Zyl, C. & Benecke, R. 2015. Service Learning for Food Security: The Izindaba Zokudla Experience. The Fourth Conference of the South African Development Studies Association (2015): Development in Troubled Times. Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Oct 12.
• Budricks, N., Campbell, A.D., & Malan, N. 2014. A Seedling Growing System, ZA Provisional Patent 2014/08658.
• Budricks, J. 2014. The Design of a Seedling Growing System for Small-scale Urban Farmers in Soweto. BTech Industrial Design Mini-Dissertation. University of Johannesburg. (2.5Mb)
• Project exhibited at Design to Feed the World Cumulus Permanent Workshop and Exhibition. Sala Messina 2, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan, Italy. 7-30 June 2015.
• Project featured in book: Di Lucchio, L. & Imbesi, L. (Eds) 2015. Design to Feed the World: 10 Projects, 50 Schools, 5 Topics. Milan: RDesignPress. pp. 144, 153-154, 181, 193-194, & 200. ISBN: 978-888981948-7.
• Jomari’s blog which she authored during the field work of the project can be accessed here

Acknowledgements:

This work is based on research supported in part by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa for the Thuthuka, unique grant number 88030 held by Angus D. Campbell and titled, Designing Development: An Exploration of Technology Innovation by Small-Scale Urban Farmers in Johannesburg, and unique grant number 88059 held by Dr. Naudé Malan and titled, Innovation in the Soweto Food System: Engaging with Soweto Agriculture. Any opinion, finding, and conclusion or recommendation expressed in this material are that of the authors, and the NRF does not accept any liability in this regard.