As NASA prepares to return to the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars with the upcoming Artemis program, humans will be required to sustain life in outer space for longer periods of time and in harsher environments. As humanity gets closer to living off world, we need to consider the complexities that will make this possible and the steps towards reaching this goal. Recommendations made for the early stages of a lunar farm include the use of semi-subsurface or subsurface structures to mitigate the impact of harmful radiation, micrometeorites, and severe temperature variations; and the construction of a settlement at a polar location, to increase insolation and access to water ice. Food sources have been selected for their nutritional value and ability to create diverse meals that suit the physiological and psychological requirements of humans. The construction and management of the lunar farm must align with international treaties; therefore, an international authority model is likely to be the most appropriate management structure for the farm. Although further scientific research is required, it is expected that by implementing these recommendations, the farm would be a viable option for sustaining humans on the Moon. 
 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483374.060

Lunar Agriculture: Farming for the Future

Due to challenges with COVID-19, this 17th Biennial has been moved to April 2021 and will now be offered in a virtual format. This conference aims to bring the experience and knowledge of experts in the aerospace industry together to share and discuss the latest research and engineering techniques that effect the exploration and settlement of space. Presentations will be made in multiple concurrent symposia over three days. Topics will include: Granular materials in space exploration, Exploration in utilization of extra-terrestrial bodies, advanced materials and designs for aerospace and terrestrial structures under extreme environment, Structures in challenging environments, and Space engineering, construction, and architecture for Moon, Mars, and beyond.