Australia: Urban farming in Canberra – the next generation
If seeing a homegrown lettuce in a pot outside your house warms your heart, you’d likely applaud the work of Fiona Buining from Ainslie, who has created an entire urban farm in her backyard.
Churchill Trust
Her Canberra
Mar 11, 2024
Excerpt:
Operating under the business name of Ainslie Urban Farm, Fiona grows soil-grown microgreens in two greenhouses in her backyard for local restaurants and cafes and during Covid grew and sold seasonal vegetable seedlings suited to Canberra’s conditions.
“I love growing things, particularly food,” says Fiona. “But equally – I love sharing the knowledge with others about how to grow food.”
If you’re an aspiring urban farmer or home grower, you’ll be pleased to know that Fiona says everyone can learn – even if you’re starting with a humble backyard lettuce pot. Why? Because enabling and empowering people to grow food is Fiona’s passion.
As a former high school teacher, Fiona managed the Merici College Kitchen Garden for eight years, teaching students how to grow seasonal vegetables using organic growing methods to supply the school canteen and restaurant.
“I loved working with the teens. As a teacher, I saw first-hand the physical and mental health benefits of learning to grow food. At the end of every year my students would ask me, ‘What’s next Miss?’ in their quest to learn more about growing vegetables.”
As for learning more herself, Fiona took a global approach.
“There was no clear pathway to becoming an urban grower – I knew I needed to know more. So, I applied for a Churchill Fellowship, knowing that it would take me to any country I chose to see successful, best-practice urban farm ventures providing vocational pathways.”
