Food from Home = Food for Home is guided by both social goals and ecological goals. The goal of this project is to support social health, justice, active participation in change, resilience, regeneration, equity and inclusion, creativity, and beauty. It is also committed to practices that reduce dependency on fossil fuels; apply principles of permaculture, organic farming and biodynamic farming; work in harmony with natural systems; and help us live fully within our ecological footprint.

We’re bringing together local urban farmers and participants from newcomer communities with experience and/or interests in growing food to form “Farm Teams.” The teams will work in local community garden spaces.

Each year, we train adult farmers and youth who have a passion for growing food. These participants will form natural language bridges within the Farm Teams and will help train the new farmers. The participants will also lead small-scale urban working organic farms across the City of Guelph in areas that are important and accessible to newcomers, such as places of worship or cultural hubs with transit access and kitchen facilities. This shifts ownership, decision-making and responsibility for growing food, harvesting, and marketing entirely to those communities.

Our project fosters exchange of knowledge and adaptive practices among new and experienced urban farmers in soil preparation, composting methods, nutrient needs, transplanting techniques, direct sowing methods, crop maintenance and extending the season (using row covers, cold frames and small greenhouses). Each step of this project generates new opportunities for income generation and meaningful employment. It also decreases social isolation amongst newcomers, increase inter-generational connections and encourage greater physical well-being through outdoor activity and access to fresh, affordable culturally appropriate produce.