Urban Roots: The Farming System

Kieran had gotten used to the hum of his urban farm. The Vertical Planter stood proudly in the center of his apartment, its levels of lettuce and tomatoes growing steadily. The small balcony garden he'd established had been a success, and his green thumb—now sharpened by the Urban Farmer System—was starting to feel less like a gimmick and more like a legitimate source of pride.

But as much as he loved the daily routine of watering, planting, and harvesting, Kieran knew that he couldn't keep this up forever without turning a profit. The system had given him a head start—some equipment, a few points, and a sense of purpose—but the real challenge was yet to come. He had to start making money.

His thoughts drifted to the Market section of the system. The items available were nice, and he'd already purchased a few things, but they wouldn't sustain him for long. He needed something more substantial. He needed buyers.

He opened the system panel again, this time navigating to a new tab he'd never noticed before: Local Buyers. A list of potential customers popped up, ranging from individual buyers to small businesses looking for produce. Kieran scanned through the names: local restaurants, small cafés, health food stores, organic markets—it was a long list, but at the top, there was a highlighted option: Fresh Greens Café.

Kieran clicked on it, his curiosity piqued. The entry expanded, revealing a brief description of the café. It was a small, organic-focused restaurant that prided itself on using only the freshest local ingredients. They advertised themselves as a community-driven establishment that sourced produce directly from local urban farmers. Kieran's heart skipped a beat. This could be the opportunity he'd been looking for.

The system gave him the option to send a message:

Message to Fresh Greens Café:

Hello, I'm Kieran Vale, a local urban farmer. I grow organic lettuce, tomatoes, and other produce in the heart of the city. I'd love to supply you with fresh greens for your menu. My produce is grown without chemicals or pesticides, and I can guarantee quality and freshness. I'm also willing to negotiate prices to establish a long-term relationship. Let me know if you're interested.

Kieran hesitated for a moment, rereading the message. It seemed professional enough, but still felt a bit awkward. He hit Send and waited, the anticipation making him restless.

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed. It was a notification from the system:

New Message from Fresh Greens Café:

Hi Kieran, thank you for reaching out! We're always looking for fresh, local produce. We'd be happy to discuss a potential partnership. Can you come by the café tomorrow at 10 AM? We'd like to meet in person to talk about pricing and quantities.

Kieran's heart raced. This was real. He was going to meet with a buyer—someone who could actually pay him for his lettuce and tomatoes. He quickly typed a response, confirming the meeting time.

As the day passed, Kieran's mind raced with possibilities. He'd never done anything like this before. Selling produce? Meeting clients? It was all new territory, and while the system points were nice, he knew that the real money would come from building relationships like this one.

The next morning, Kieran found himself standing outside Fresh Greens Café, a small but charming establishment tucked between two office buildings. The scent of fresh coffee and baked goods wafted from the door as he stepped inside. The café was cozy, with wooden tables, plants lining the walls, and a chalkboard menu boasting a variety of organic dishes. It was the kind of place that seemed to be both a sanctuary for busy professionals and a gathering spot for health-conscious locals.

He walked up to the counter, where a woman in her late twenties with dark curly hair and a warm smile greeted him.

"Hi there! You must be Kieran," she said, offering her hand.

"That's me," he replied, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, uh…"

"Emily," she said. "I'm the owner here. Welcome to Fresh Greens Café. Let's sit down and talk about what you've got to offer."

She led him to a small table in the corner, away from the hum of the coffee machine. As they sat down, Emily opened her tablet and pulled up a menu.

"So, Kieran," she began, her tone friendly but businesslike. "Tell me about your farm. What kind of produce do you grow, and how much can you supply?"

Kieran took a deep breath. "Right now, I'm focusing on lettuce, tomatoes, and a few herbs. It's all organic, grown right here in the city. I've got a few pots going on my balcony, and I just bought a vertical planter to help maximize the space. I'm still getting my bearings, but I can supply you with a couple of crates of lettuce each week, maybe a few tomatoes as well. I'm flexible with quantities, and I'd like to build a steady supply chain."

Emily nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds promising. The quality is really important to us, especially since we pride ourselves on being local and sustainable. Could you bring in some samples today?"

Kieran's stomach did a flip. He hadn't expected that. "Uh, I didn't bring any with me today. But I can bring some by tomorrow if you'd like."

Emily smiled. "No worries. We can work with that. I'd like to give your produce a taste test, but I'm definitely interested in working with you. If everything checks out, we can discuss a price."

Kieran felt a rush of relief. "That sounds great. I'll make sure to bring the freshest batch."

They spent the next few minutes discussing the details. Emily asked about his growing methods, the variety of lettuce he had, and his plans for scaling up. She seemed genuinely interested, and the more Kieran talked about his urban farming journey, the more confident he became. The conversation was easy, the vibe comfortable. It wasn't like a cold business transaction—it felt more like two people working together toward a common goal.

Eventually, they settled on a price. Emily would pay £4.50 per head of lettuce and £4.00 per pound of tomatoes. It wasn't a fortune, but it was fair for someone just starting out. Kieran could live with that. It was a win-win: he'd get paid, and he'd also earn some system points for making the deal happen.

"Alright," Emily said, standing up. "I'll look forward to those samples tomorrow. Let's keep in touch."

Kieran shook her hand again, feeling a sense of accomplishment. As he stepped out of the café, he couldn't help but smile. He'd just made his first business deal. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

As he walked down the street, the system pinged again. He opened his phone:

New System Notification:

Deal with Fresh Greens Café: Successful! Reward: 10 System Points.

Kieran grinned. It wasn't just the money—it was the points, too. He was starting to see how this could all come together. His urban farm wasn't just a way to pass the time anymore. It was a business. And he was in control.

Now, it was time to deliver.