Canada: Urban farm in the middle of Calgary industrial area celebrates milestone
New greenhouse will extend growing season and create community hub
By Helen Pike
CBC News
Jun 25, 2022
Excerpt:
Instead of a red ribbon cutting, Highfield Farm celebrated the opening of its greenhouse by cutting a garland crafted from greenery and weeds.
Thanks to a $227,000 grant from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF), this farm can extend its growing season and begin its bigger mission: building community.
The project is a partnership between the farmers, the City of Calgary and the Compost Council of Canada.
“For us, the ability to grow year-round, extend our outdoor season, and have a safe indoor space for us to gather as a community and for education is absolutely invaluable,” said farm operations manager Heather Ramshaw.
Highfield Farm took over more than 15 acres of land in one of Calgary’s industrial areas back in 2019. The land is nestled between 11 Street S.E. and the Deerfoot right-of-way. Years ago, Ramshaw said it was used as a farmer’s market, but sat vacant.
