Sydney City Farm

UPDATE FROM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Andrew provided an update on activities since the last meeting, key points were:

1. Contact has been made with Sydney City Council to discuss alternative sites to commence the Farm while the Callan Park community consultation process continues.
2. Executive Committee is in the process of arranging a meeting with Jamie Parker, Mayor of Leichhardt, to discuss alternative sites in the Leichhardt Council area.
3. Andrew and Liesje recently attended the Callan Park mental health workshop organised by Leichhardt Council.  Key take away was that there are many views on mental health and on how to utilise the Callan Park site.

Andrew made the point that the Sydney City Farm Executive Committee was still committed to Callan Park, however, given the length of time to run on the community consultation process other sites would be considered as an addition the the eventual Callan Park site.

UPDATE FROM THE SUBGROUPS

Seedling  group
Sky ran through the draft proposal prepared by Rhys.

Suggestions/comments provided by the Group:

• Emphasise “edible” seedlings
• Explore use of glasshouse in Balmain
• Include photos of backyard seedlings on SCF webpage
• Approach Leichhardt Council on growing seedlings on public space
• Change wording from virtual farm to networked farm
• Donation concept supported
• Liaise with local nurseriesplus

Action
• Rhys to contact Victoria, Maureen, Chris, Peter and Dave to join the Group.
• Rhys to email Chris regarding promotion/website ideas

Proposal writing group
Dave provided an update on the proposal writing group.

Suggestion/comments provided by the Group:
• Grant should include funding for admin/marketing person
• Executive Committee to consider grant sign off process
• This group aims to support other subgroups

Action
• Andrew to attend the next subgroup meeting
• Group to prepare submission for council grant closing 10th August
• Dave to contact Douglas and Jeanette to join the Group.

Training Manual Group
Celia provided an update of the training manual group.

Suggestions/comments from the group
• Reference website for content
• Consider the 30 second radio grab
• Link into Sydney Food Fairness Alliance conference

Action
Liesje to email Linnet for review of proposal

Alternative Site Group
Andrew provided an update of the alternative site group

Suggestion / comments from the group
• Consider 68 William St as a Site

Action
Executive Committee to arrange meeting with Verity Firth to discuss alternative sites

Next Meeting: Saturday 15th August, 11-1pm, Cane Room, Callan Park.

The Sydney City Farm idea gained high profile status on Thursday when the architect and urban designer behind our vision appeared in the glossy pages of Sydney Magazine.

Rod was named one of Sydney’s 100 top most influential for his dedication to sustainable design and community development. Rod’s tireless pro-bono work for Sydney City Farm featured in the write up.

Check it out for yourself here: The advocate, Rod Simpson

Today’s Sydney Morning Herald features an article about Sydney City Farm, titled “Grand Plan For A Farm In The City”. It features a comprehensive background to the project alongside an interview with SCF spokesman, Andrew Jackson.

Click here to read the article at SMH.