Growing concern: Home farm breaks waste cycle

The Parasite Farm system is designed to fit into existing domestic environments. A vermicompost container with a chopping board collects scraps of food waste, which are then broken down into compost by parasitic organisms. This can then be used to grow vegetables and herbs in containers built in to the bookshelves. Liquid from the decomposition process can also be collected and used to fertilise the growing produce.

The system is a response to the increasing urbanisation of the German population, and the loss of connection between farming and food consumption. ‘We hope that this small-scale nutrient cycle makes people discover the fascination of growing your own food, and evokes questions about current industrial food production and possible alternatives.’

As explored in our Solicitous Solutions Micro Inspire, in the Anarconomy Decade a new breed of designers are placing social responsibility at the core of their practice.