Smart Garden and farming
Our Smart Garden and Farming Project collaborates with public gardens, community farms, and urban agriculture organizations to bring youth and residents into the future of food systems. Through the integration of IoT-based technologies, participants design, build, and operate automated irrigation systems, pH and soil moisture monitors, and air quality sensors—all aimed at understanding how pollution, rainfall acidity, and environmental factors impact plant health and crop yield.
Guardian teams install sensors that:
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Automatically water garden plots based on moisture levels
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Monitor pH to ensure soil stays balanced for food production
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Analyze rainfall acidity and airborne pollutants to track environmental stressors
Participants log real-world data, visualize trends on live dashboards, and develop actionable insights—such as ideal watering schedules, soil amendment strategies, or strategies to mitigate pollution impacts.
Ways to get involved
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Install and Monitor Sensors
Join us in setting up IoT devices in gardens, bus stops, and public spaces. -
Implement the Program
Host the Bus Stop or Smart Garden project at your school, community site, or garden. -
Join a Research Team
Help collect, analyze, and report data across seasons. -
Lead or Attend Workshops
Teach or learn in sensor-building, dashboard-creation, or geofencing sessions. -
Partner with Us
Collaborate with schools, gardeners, community centers, or tech experts. -
Fund a Kit or Garden
Sponsor sensor kits or Smart Garden installations to get projects growing. -
Share Cultural Histories
Contribute stories, local maps, or oral histories for our geofenced zones. -
Help with Advocacy
Use collected data to support safer environmental policies.
Project Overview
Starting this season, our Smart Garden & Farming Project brings technology and environmental justice together in public gardens, community farms, and urban agriculture sites. We partner with organizations committed to urban growing to integrate IoT-based systems that make food production smarter, healthier, and more resilient.
Participants—including youth, educators, and families—design and install sensor-driven tools that:
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Automate irrigation based on real-time soil moisture readings
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Monitor soil pH to support optimal crop growth
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Track air quality and rainfall acidity to assess pollution impacts on plants
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Log data to live dashboards, identify trends, and generate insights from crop cycles
Why It Matters
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Protects Food and Health
Urban soils can contain harmful chemicals like lead, which pose risks to crops and community well-being. -
Detects Pollution Impact
Monitoring airborne pollutants and rain acidity helps gardens respond to environmental stressors and maintain crop health. -
Conserves Resources
Smart irrigation systems can reduce water use by up to 30%, protect nutrients from washing away, and support consistent harvests. -
Promotes Sustainable Urban Agriculture
Tech-enhanced monitoring boosts soil quality, yields, and consistent access to fresh, local food across the city. -
Empowers Community Science
Hands-on use of sensors and dashboards equips residents with technical and civic skills—right where food is grown.
Who Should get involved
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Community Garden Directors
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Schools (classroom and after-school settings)
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Youth and community organizations
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Teachers, mentors, and parents
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Residents invested in environmental and public health
Next Steps
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The project kicks off October 1: start planning now!
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Email info@xyayxthemovement.org to schedule a consultation or receive the program packet.
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Let’s gather the data needed to make healthier, more equitable community spaces together.
