Community Gardens and City Farms
Start a community garden or city farm, or locate one in the United K
Community Gardens and City Farms focuses on the United Kingdom. Gardening information on starting or locating a community garden or city farm near you.
Community gardens in the United Kingdom are similar to those in the United States and Canada. Indeed, the concept can be, and probably has been, applied worldwide. Yet, no two community gardens will be the same. There is no representative city farm or community garden because each develops according to the region, and the needs and desires of the community.
The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG) is the representative body for city farms, community gardens and similar community-led organizations in the UK. At present, there are 59 city farms, nearly 1000 community gardens, and 66 school farms in the United Kingdom.
Over half a million people volunteer in these gardens and farms, while more than three million people visit the community gardens and city farms annually. Per FCFCG, "They are places where people of all ages and from all sections of the community are welcome."
FCFCG provides "a wide range of services, advice and support for city farms and community gardens, whether they are well-established or just getting off the ground."
Community gardens are distinct from allotment gardening in the United Kingdom. The practice of allotment gardening is where individuals rent plots of land to cultivate themselves. Land owners generally provide the upkeep on the rented land, although it is cultivated by the lessee.
Per the Federation of City Farms and Gardens, "City farms and community gardens are community-managed projects working with people, animals and plants. They range from tiny wildlife gardens to fruit and vegetable plots on housing estates, from community polytunnels to large city farms.
They exist mainly in urban areas and are created in response to a lack of access to green space, combined with a desire to encourage strong community relationships and an awareness of gardening and farming."
Are you looking to start up a new community garden or city farm in the United Kingdom? Find out everything you need to know and get support at FarmGarden.org.UK.
The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens'database gives information on around 1000 community garden and farm groups.
** For community gardens in the United States and Canada see my article, Community Gardens.
