Our Philosophy:
URBAN: We try to make use of the space around us in the belief that city spaces—though often small in themselves—can as a collected whole be productive and green, more vibrant and interesting, than our traditional uses of yard space. Our enterprise is an experiment in the agricultural possibilities that Calgary has to offer.
LOCAL: We want to address the growing geographic disconnect between food consumers and food producers in a world where the average food item can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres from field to plate. We propose to grow flavourful, synthetic chemical free, nutrient-rich vegetables and herbs within blocks of where we live and shop and dine.
SUSTAINABLE: We direct our efforts at sustainable forms of agriculture that don’t rely on use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides; instead, we utilize intensive growing techniques and strategies derived from the burgeoning world local and organic food movements. These involve the use of nourishing composts and natural mulches—which result in the creation of mineral rich, fertile soils that will produce robust, disease-resistant plants—along with the planting of carefully selected flowers and herbs, which draw all manner of beneficial animal and microbial life (think ladybugs and earthworms and soil fungi) to protect and sustain growing plants. While it takes a little more work, this strategy provides better and healthier results over both the short and long terms.
BEAUTIFUL: We see a great deal of beauty in the growth of a full urban garden—not just in the sight of bright green vegetable rows, the trellises and bean poles with their climbing vines, the bright blossoms and fruits of flowering plants, but also in the buzzing of industrious insects and the singing of the birds who are drawn to them, as well as in the scents of fresh herbs and flowers and of rich, dark soil.
LOCAL: We want to address the growing geographic disconnect between food consumers and food producers in a world where the average food item can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres from field to plate. We propose to grow flavourful, synthetic chemical free, nutrient-rich vegetables and herbs within blocks of where we live and shop and dine.
SUSTAINABLE: We direct our efforts at sustainable forms of agriculture that don’t rely on use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides; instead, we utilize intensive growing techniques and strategies derived from the burgeoning world local and organic food movements. These involve the use of nourishing composts and natural mulches—which result in the creation of mineral rich, fertile soils that will produce robust, disease-resistant plants—along with the planting of carefully selected flowers and herbs, which draw all manner of beneficial animal and microbial life (think ladybugs and earthworms and soil fungi) to protect and sustain growing plants. While it takes a little more work, this strategy provides better and healthier results over both the short and long terms.
BEAUTIFUL: We see a great deal of beauty in the growth of a full urban garden—not just in the sight of bright green vegetable rows, the trellises and bean poles with their climbing vines, the bright blossoms and fruits of flowering plants, but also in the buzzing of industrious insects and the singing of the birds who are drawn to them, as well as in the scents of fresh herbs and flowers and of rich, dark soil.
Our Goals:
1. To create beautiful and vibrant and bounteous urban spaces given over to flat and artless lawns.
2. To reclaim and revive soil.
3. To generate income for our families in a way that we can be proud of.
4. To work hard and to learn the skills, techniques, artistry of the farmer and entrepreneur.
5. To practice effective means of local, intensive food production and distribution that is in keeping with the values of and will contribute useful knowledge to the worldwide movement toward ecologically sustainable food production techniques.
6. To inform and engage our fellow citizens to take steps of their own to invite life and create beauty by growing their own food.
Ladybug on Leaf photo credit: Suvro Datta http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1023
