City Farmer in Kitsilano, Vancouver, was established at the Vancouver Community Conservation Centre (VCCC) in 1978. It was a pioneering urban agriculture initiative born out of a six-month federal program aimed at promoting energy conservation and has since become a cornerstone of urban farming and teaching people how to grow food in the city.

Challenges

The initiative aimed to educate urban dwellers on sustainable food production, composting, and energy conservation. City Farmer faced several challenges typical of urban farming initiatives, including land security, zoning issues, and high start-up costs. Additionally, they had to navigate soil contamination and inadequate business training.

Despite initial difficulties in securing long-term funding and public interest, City Farmer persevered and expanded its reach over the years. https://www.cityfarmer.eco/history

City Farmer Today

Today, City Farmer operates the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden at 2150 Maple Street. https://www.cityfarmer.eco/history/2017/3/16/the-vancouver-compost-demonstration-garden

The garden showcases various sustainable practices, including organic food gardening, composting, rainwater harvesting, and vermiculture. Visitors can learn about these techniques through tours, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations.

Operating Hours

City Farmer is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The facility offers educational tours, gardening advice, and demonstrations on composting and sustainable urban farming. https://www.cityfarmer.eco/

Community Usage

City Farmer is widely used by the community, attracting local residents, schools, and tourists. It serves as an educational hub where people can learn about urban agriculture and sustainable living. The garden is a popular spot for school tours, community events, and individual visits, providing a space for horticultural therapy and environmental education.

Current Offerings

Today, City Farmer offers a variety of educational programs and demonstrations on urban agriculture, composting, and water conservation. Visitors can purchase compost bins, rain barrels, and other gardening supplies.

City Farmer's garden features rain barrels, a composting toilet, vermiculture, and various sustainable technologies. They also maintain several garden areas, including a waterwise native plant garden, a climate change adaptation garden, and an organic food garden.

The facility also offers advice on setting up home gardens and composting systems. Here are some of their upcoming seminars and workshops:

Spring Planting Workshop
Learn the basics of organic gardening and get hands-on experience with planting techniques. This workshop is perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.

Composting 101
Discover the benefits of composting and how to start your own compost pile. This event will cover various composting methods and troubleshooting tips.

Water Conservation Seminar
Join experts to discuss water-saving techniques and technologies for urban gardens. This seminar will provide practical advice on reducing water usage while maintaining a healthy garden.

Community Garden Day
Spend a day volunteering in the community garden, helping with planting, weeding, and harvesting. It's a great opportunity to meet fellow gardening enthusiasts and contribute to a sustainable urban environment.

For more details and to stay updated on upcoming events, you can visit City Farmer's website or follow them on social media. https://www.cityfarmer.eco/

Conclusion

I'm an avid gardener and am a Butterflyway Ranger with the David Suzuki Foundation. https://davidsuzuki.org/take-action/act-locally/butterflyway/ I have my own garden in Vancouver with many native plants, fruits and vegetables. I haven't visited City Farmer, and highlighting this community service here, I now have City Farmer high on my list of places to visit before this summer in Kitsilano!

City Farmer's dedication to promoting sustainable urban agriculture has made it a beloved institution in Kitsilano, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.

 WBN News - Kitsilano Edition

Karalee Greer - Publisher

Tags: #WBN News - Kitsilano Edition #Karalee Greer #Kitsilano #Kits #Shop Local #City Farmer #Urban Farming #Organic Gardening #Composting #Climate Adaptation

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