How much thought do we give to the design of the landscapes that feed us?
Living Landscapes has launched a new series on Designing Agricultural Landscapes, exploring how farms—covering nearly 40% of the world’s land—can be reimagined for resilience, ecology, and community. Join Ishraq Awashra and guests as they unpack design principles, challenges, and innovative approaches shaping the future of agricultural landscapes.
Living Landscapes is available on Podbean, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Designing Agriculture I: Introduction to Designing Agricultural Landscapes
In this episode, Ishraq Awashra, a PhD student in Landscape Systems and Design at Purdue University, joins undergraduate landscape architecture student Amelia Gonzalez to explore the importance of designing agricultural landscapes. They discuss how farms, which cover nearly 40% of the world’s land, are often overlooked in design conversations despite their vital role in food production, jobs, and ecosystem services. The episode highlights the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing agriculture today—from soil degradation and habitat loss to rural community decline. Ishraq and Amelia share ideas from their lab at Purdue, where they are working to rethink how farms are designed, not just for cultivation, but for community and ecological health. They call for a systems-thinking approach that connects farmers, scientists, and designers to create more resilient and intentional agricultural landscapes.
Designing Agriculture II: Things to Consider When Designing Agricultural Landscapes
In the second episode of the Agricultural Landscape Design series, Ishraq Awashra and Amelia Gonzalez dive into the “how” of designing agricultural landscapes. They reflect on the absence of formal definitions and methods in this emerging field and propose a new way forward rooted in landscape architecture. The conversation covers key design principles like spatial layout, production focus, scale, and the human dimension. They emphasize the importance of designing beyond the farm boundary, considering regional and ecological impacts, and integrating scientific research with local and generational knowledge. The episode also critiques the trend of designing farms for aesthetics or wealthy clients, advocating instead for functional, inclusive, and science-based designs that serve everyday farmers and rural communities. Ishraq and Amelia call for a new design language and methodology that centers agriculture, ecology, and people.
Designing Agriculture III: Conversation with Clay Gruber
In this episode, Ishraq Awashra speaks with Clay Gruber, a landscape architect and founder of Clay Gruber Design and co-founder of Rural Futures Collaborative. Clay shares his personal journey from growing up on a cattle ranch in Montana to studying sociology and architecture, and eventually finding his calling in landscape architecture. He discusses how his background shaped his interest in rural design and the need for landscape architects to engage with agricultural communities. Clay introduces his Adaptive Lands Framework—a tool to help landowners understand how ecological and economic decisions impact their land. He emphasizes the importance of working with local knowledge, scientific research, and community values to create resilient, productive landscapes. Clay also talks about the challenges of entering agricultural design as a landscape architect and the need for new tools and methods to support farmers and rural economies.
Explore Clay’s work at Rural Futures Collaborative, and his Adaptive Lands Framework by following the links.
- @ruralfuturescollab
- https://www.ruralfuturescollab.com/
- https://www.ruralfuturescollab.com/rural-notebook/adaptive-lands-framework
- https://www.claygruber.com/
Designing Agriculture IV: Conversation with Zach Mermel
In this episode, Ishraq Awashra talks with Zach Mermel, founder of Ola Design Group in Hawaii. Zach shares how his upbringing in Volcano Village, near the world’s most active volcano, inspired his deep connection to nature and his career in farmscape design. With a background in environmental science and a passion for giving back, Zach integrates indigenous knowledge, ecological stewardship, and agricultural productivity in his work. He discusses projects that blend native plants with food systems, including designs for nonprofits and community farms. Zach emphasizes the importance of designing for more than just humans—creating landscapes that support biodiversity and cultural heritage. He also shares practical advice for young designers entering the field, encouraging hands-on experience and collaboration with local communities. His work shows how farms can be designed to be productive, resilient, and deeply rooted in place.
Discover Zach’s work at Ola Design Group.
- @ola_design_group
- https://oladesigngroup.com/