Wilfrid Laurier University
IN-1: Innovation 1

The objective of the first growing season of the project have been met as 1600sq feet of unused urban land has been successfully transformed into a viable micro-agricultural site. Through our land partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, participating local youth interns were able to grow a diversity of 12 crops for produce that included tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, peppers, beets, summer squash, beans, carrots, cucumbers, leeks, onions, a variety of greens including kale and lettuce, and a variety of herbs. The market garden site produced over 900 lbs of fresh food that was made available to CSA Market participants from the local WLU faculty and staff and local families. Through the Support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Young City Growers project was provided learning and summer employment opportunities to local students, who gained experience in planning and creating an urban garden and operating a Community Shared Agriculture model market.

The market garden site provided over 15 paid and unpaid internship positions and produced over 900 lbs of fresh food that was made available to CSA Market participants from the local WLU faculty and staff and local families. Through the Support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Young City Growers project was provided learning and summer employment opportunities to local students, who gained experience in planning and creating an urban garden and operating a Community Shared Agriculture model market.