Pocket City Farms is taking to Sydney’s neglected spaces, from spare plots to rooftops, in an effort to make good use of all that unused space by growing fresh organically-grown produce for the city’s residents! We are currently working on the construction of our first urban farm in Sydney - due to open June 2016 - on the old bowling greens of the former Camperdown Bowling Club.

Our farm will be a productive hub where the local community can gather to learn about all things farming and food growing, buy super-local, chemical-free produce, participate in our composting program, and take part in many workshops and events. Importantly, the farm is set to become a place to visit, enjoy productive green space in the city, sink your feet in the soil, and learn all about where exactly our food comes from and how it’s grown!



WHAT'S ON THE FARM

Our hope is for the farm to become a community hub of local food production and education - a community-oriented social enterprise and open to the public as a demonstrative showcase of urban farming.

• The old bowling greens will become a 1200m2 market garden using organic practices to grow vegetables, salad greens and herbs.

• The public verge is going to be turned into a lush food forest with fruit trees, shrubs, vines and herbs, where the community can collect free produce as they wander past.

• A dedicated area of 18m of bays for a community composting program, turning food waste from locals’ homes and the on-site restaurant into nutrient-rich compost for the farm and the local community.

• A recreation pavilion will be a community-focussed educational and recreational hub, hosting school group tours, community tours, team days,  yoga classes, pilates, market days and loads more. Regular workshops will provide education opportunities for all ages and backgrounds on growing food, composting, cooking, preventing food waste, slow living skills and other areas of food, garden, lifestyle and health. 

• A backyard-scale demonstration garden will showcase how to grow your own food and compost your own food waste on a small scale at home.

• A street-side farm stall will sell produce from the farm, and other local growers and makers, to the local community.

• A productive small-scale fruit orchard will double as a home to a small flock of rescued chickens who will help with eating plenty of food scraps and creating nutrient-rich waste to use on the farm.

The farm will be open seven days a week for all members of the community to come by, visit the farm, attend any events, speak to staff, use the surrounding green space, buy locally grown produce and drop off food scraps for compost. Regular volunteer opportunities, interactive group sessions and internship programs will be available to all too.


BENEFITS OF THE URBAN FARM

• Super local production of clean, fresh, organic produce grown and harvested close to the consumer - creating an important connection between food consumed and how it’s grown.

• An increase in awareness and interest in nutritional values of fresh fruit and vegetables. (Did you know research shows that better nutrition awareness and greater access to fresh food increases human wellbeing, improves health, concentration levels and cognitive ability?!)

• Increasing green space in the city which improves air quality, attracts biodiversity, increases our connection to nature and improves physical and mental health of the local community.

• An ongoing program of affordable workshops teaching community to grow food, and other essential sustainable living skills.
• A productive and inclusive community green space, generating opportunities for social engagement and interaction.

• An interactive way to address disconnect from food production and generate interest in farming and local food - a vital link in improving our food system!

• Enhanced levels of social engagement between local residents visiting the farm, improving mental health and wellbeing.




THE POCKET CITY FARMS TEAM

Pocket City Farms is a not-for-profit association established and run by a crew of skilled individuals who volunteer their time, and who are motivated and passionate about urban farming and sustainability.

MICHAEL ZAGORIDIS is an organic market farmer with a permaculture background. His experience is with organic and sustainable practices, nourishing soil structures and local food networks.

EMMA BOWEN is a sustainability and slow living editor and urban farmer. She has a background across small business, urban sustainability, permaculture and education in slow living skills.

LUKE HEARD is an entrepreneur with startups both in Australia and abroad, commencing with Sydney's first small bar in 2008. He has a passion for sustainable food production and consumption.

KAREN ERDOS is an architect across projects both large and small, and is very passionate and focused on sustainable design. She also has a keen interest in permaculture, urban sustainability and farming.

ADRIAN BAIADA is an urban farmer, consultant and educator with a background in environmental sustainability, permaculture and biological agriculture.

Pocket City Farms is collaborating with Camperdown Project and Acre on the site - known as Camperdown Commons - with support from Marrickville Council. These farm and community components outlined for crowdfunding are being funded by Pocket City Farms and will continue to be a separate entity as we operate. 

(pic, left to right: Emma Bowen, Karen Erdos, Michael Zagoridis, Adrian Baiada, Luke Heard)

We have the money (thanks to Club Grants, Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL and Marrickville Council) to set up the actual market garden, buy some tools and other supplies and get it running but we still need the remaining funds for the rest of the project (including the very important community components):

The food forest: 
Trees, shrubs and understory plants, mulch, trellises and removal of the old oleander trees.

The greenhouse:
The greenhouse structure itself, including frame and cladding plus the shade system, irrigation and ventilation, along with fitting the inside with flooring, benches, materials, storage and supplies for growing seedlings (to sell at affordable prices to the local community) and a wash area.

Compost bays:
The timber, metal and fittings to build the bays, plus storage bins for carbon materials and a few tools for testing and turning the compost over each week.

Demonstration garden:
Trees, shrubs and understory plants, mulch, trellises, compost bin and worm farm and other materials.

The orchard and chickens:
The trees for the orchard, mulch, chicken adoption and vet fees, fencing, feed and bedding and some plants for the girls to play in. (We have been donated our coop by two nice young girls who had outgrown their cubby house.)

Workshops:
Teaching materials, extra tools, and tables and chairs.

OUR ULTIMATE CROWDFUNDING GOAL

Our ultimate goal of $55,000 also includes funds for a rainwater tank, materials for preserving the harvest, a computer for our farm office and a contribution to help pay our farmers and teachers before the first harvest creates income. We would ultimately love to reach this goal!

We're working towards an opening date of early winter, so time is tight! Our Pocket City Farms team is working our tails off volunteering on afternoons, evenings and weekends to get the project up and running with the funds we have so far. The rest will ensure we get the lot completed in time for the community to come and enjoy when Camperdown Commons and Acre opens in June!

We are also welcoming donations in-kind of any of the above products to help lower our cash needs, and are inviting businesses who can help to join us as project sponsors. If you think this would be something you'd like to take part in please email us at [email protected].