Sydney City Farm has written a new vision statement. Please take a bit of time to read it and send us any comments…
The Vision
To create a green sanctuary to showcase an eco-friendly future in the heart of Sydney.
Sydney City Farm aims to inspire people to make significant changes towards living a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle. It will focus on the universal pleasures of growing, harvesting, preparing and eating food, The farm will be a beautiful place that informs it’s visitors directly and by example – it will be lively, welcoming, inclusive and engaging.
At its heart will be an organic café with indoor and outdoor seating. Surrounding the café will be the farm itself – acres of organic and permaculture gardens, fruit trees, nut orchards and small animals such as ducks and chooks – all providing the produce that is prepared and savoured at the café. The children will delight in seeing the small animals at the farm while at the same time learning how food is grown and prepared.
Sydney City Farm will be run by the community for the community. With the support of professional management and staff, participants will be able to engage at the level best suited to their needs and lifestyle – as little or as much as they like. A diverse range of community groups will feel welcomed and contribute to the warm and inclusive City Farm community.
For those more attuned to a hands-on approach, a vital part of the farm will be its environmental education programs. These will provide information on how to grow food sustainably and showcase the latest in water-saving techniques and climate-friendly renewable technologies. Ultimately it will be by these small, individual efforts, that we aim to make changes on a global level.
As it grows and matures, Sydney City Farm will be able to host community cultural events and festivals, markets and fairs, and play a role connecting farmers and growers with householders. It will support community groups who want to run training and recycling programs, like bicycle repair workshops. It will also initiate social ventures like collecting food waste from city restaurants, cafes and households to create compost – educating people about minimising food wasteage as well as diverting organic waste from landfill.
The activities and impacts of Sydney City Farm can be centred on one large site or be spread over multiple smaller sites. Various aspects could be replicated in other parts of Sydney.
The Sydney City Farm vision is a seed that will naturally germinate, sprout and grow with the support and engagement of Sydney-siders. It will draw on the groundswell of enthusiasm for community gardens and growers markets, and network with like-minded groups and organizations.
It is modelled on city farm projects in New York, London and Melbourne.
Collingwood Childrens’ Farm, Melbourne
Organisation
Sydney City Farm is a not-for-profit Incorporated Association, whose purpose currently is to generate support for the creation of a city farm and sustainable living centre in Sydney. The organisation belongs to all its members in the community and any income generated is required to be reinvested in our ongoing work for the community.
Members elect a Board of Management who represent them in the ongoing management of the project. A third of the Board is elected at each annual general meeting.
Sydney City Farm also has supporters, who provide financial support and stay informed of its achievements.
Sydney City Farm is not associated with any other group and is wholly devoted to the creation of a working urban farm garden and centre for sustainable urban living.