Farm Raiser
Connecting communities with their food
At Farm Raiser we work toward a world where food production forms a part of everyday urban life and acts as a source of inspiration, education and sustainability. Where growing food is accessible and inclusive and encourages the valuing of local, sustainable agriculture.
Where are all the veggies?
Due to the urbanisation of Melbourne, most people experience a disconnect between the farm and the table. Food education and accessibility to quality produce in Australia is lacking, with kids between 2 and 18 years old eating only 1.8 serves of veg a day on average. That’s only 1% of kids getting their recommended daily amount!
School food gardens offer a link between production and consumption, engaging communities with local food production and encouraging healthy choices. Yet many of these gardens fall short of their potential. This is due to the high demands of urban food production; many parents, teachers and volunteers don't have the time nor money to maintain food gardens and make them truly productive. The shortage of money and time are major issues in schools, with over 83% of Victorian schools relying on fundraising in some way throughout the year. This is where Farm Raiser comes in.
How veggies can help
Farm Raiser will work with schools to turn unused land into productive market gardens. Many schools in the wider metro area have land, but no money or time to develop it! The market garden will do three things: it will empower and educate students about food production and healthy choices, it will provide affordable, local produce to the community in veggie boxes and it will fundraise by returning a portion of each box sold to the school.
The key difference of Farm Raiser, is it's aim to be fully financially sustaining. The sale of veggie boxes will fund the market garden, which will remove the financial burden from the hard working school community. We hope this project not only engages the school but the wider community and becomes a hub for connection between people and their food.
Where to start?
We have identified Waratah Special Developmental School in Bellfield, in Melbourne's north, as a great site to conduct a pilot project. This school has a small community currently, but a heap of spare land and even more potential, with supportive and enthusiastic staff and teachers.
Within this pilot we aim to establish a model of self sustaining school market gardens. This will include tracking our financial model; measuring community engagement; gauge fundraising capacity and figure out how many people we can supply lovely fresh produce with.
Waratah school is excited for the garden to increase educational opportunities for students, and further engage the community with volunteer programs and events. By entering into a shared user agreement with the Department of Education we hope to eliminate one of the largest costs for market gardeners - land.
To make this dream a reality we need your help. For this project to get off the ground and start supporting itself we need a hand. Help us start our financially resilient urban food project!
The huge site at Waratah Special Developmental School (7,500m2)
How you can help?
#1 donate/contribute - We have a range of contribution options to help us reach our goal to buy a walk behind tractor and a greenhouse.
#2 help us spread the word - Share our story via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter
Who is behind Farm Raiser
Studying Urban Horticulture together at the University of Melbourne, we found we shared a passion to grow food in the city. We hope to create a truly sustainable market garden to be enjoyed by the local community. Each of us has experience working at different market gardens around Victoria - including Transition Farm, Joe's Market Garden (CERES), Food for Change, Melbourne Farmers Markets and KABUU. We currently manage the Burnley Market Garden, and sell our produce at Alphington Farmers Market.
Kirsty
With a degree in Social Science and Environments and an extensive career in Events Management Kirsty became inspired by her grandparents who were established dairy farmers committed to sustainable agriculture in Northern Victoria (where she grew up). She wants to see a food system that is more supportive of farmers and the health of the environment.
Charlotte
With a background in the kitchen, Charlotte’s transition to horticulture still revolves around food. She wants to see equal opportunities for all urban dwellers to get their hands in the dirt and share food with each other.
Pat
Pat has a strong interest in backyard and urban agriculture. He has a love of growing unusual and Australian foods. When not in his own garden with his dog and chickens, he is out playing cricket or watching the footy.
We acknowledge that our farm will exist on the land of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. Sovereignty never ceded.
